Warbird Information Exchange

Hello folks,

I am looking for some help on a research topic. I am working with the curator at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum on developing as much information as possible on the SAFEway Airline (Southwest Air Fast Express). This airline was started by Earle Halliburton (yes, that Halliburton) in Tulsa in 1929, and existed for (at most) 2 years. Sometime in 1930-1931, Halliburton sold the airline, its routes and all of its assets to American Airways. The airline flew a dozen or so Ford Tri-motors. Two of those original SAFEway trimotors still exist; one is hanging in the NASM in American livery, the other is being restored by the Tin Goose chapter of the EAA.

Does anyone have any photos/information about this airline? Thanks so much!

kevin

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FOUND the elusive DT-built B-24! Woo-hoo!!!

According to the text on photo those are Wright engines....They don't appear to be. It looks to have pushrods ahead of cylinders. Wright J5's had forward pushrods but mags on nose case and these are likely not J5s....J6's more commonly found on these had aft pushrods. So it is very likely those are Pratts.

Thanks, Wheels Up. I don't claim any credit (or responsibility) for the text on the photo. That was put there by someone long ago. The date it mentions for the purchase of SAFEWay by AA is wrong as well. It wouldn't surprise me that other details were wrong. I'll try to post a couple more photos of SAFEWay trimotors with up close photos of their engines, so that you can help me a little more.

kevin

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FOUND the elusive DT-built B-24! Woo-hoo!!!