CAM Contract Air Mail First Flights AM-57

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web-catalog CAM Contract Air Mail First Flights AM-57

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Page ccAM057 (Revised 11/12/2007)

Background: The Air Mail Act of 1925 (Kelly Act) authorized the postmaster general to contract for domestic airmail service with commercial air carriers. It also set airmail rates and the level of cash subsidies to be paid to companies that carried the mail. By transferring airmail operations to private companies, the government effectively would help create the commercial aviation industry. Various routes were designated and contracts for carrying the mail over these routes were then awarded to many different private air service companies. The Contract Air Mail routes became known as CAM's.

AM-57: AM-57 was awarded to United Air Lines. United Air Lines began on July 1, 1931 as the holding company of four air carriers, Boeing Air Transport (CAM-18), Varney Air Lines (CAM-5), Pacific Air Transport (CAM-8) and National Air Transport (CAM-17). Each of these contributing airlines flew different types of aircraft when taken over by United. After consolidation, United Air Lines introduced the twin engine Boeing 247 to initially fly some of its mail routes.
         The Boeing 247 was the first low-winged, all-metal, twin-engined, autopilot, retractable landing gear air transport flown on scheduled airlines. Its speed, comfort and safety created excitement and was quickly accepted by the public, making all other transports immediately obsolete. The 247 made its first flight on February 8, 1933 and made its inaugural first flight (UAL) between Portland OR and Salt Lake City UT on April 12, 1933. UAL was awarded AM-57 and on May 12, 1941 began flight service between Seatle WA and Vancouver Canada.

57N1 410512 Seatle WA UAL TW Davis $3.75

57N1f 410512 Seatle WA UAL TW Davis $10.50

57S2 410512 Vancouver Canada UAL JL Crouch $7.50

         UAL purchased a huge fleet of over 100 Douglas DC-3's.

R57S4 420710 to Bellingham WA UAL -- $4.50

57N3 420710 Bellingham WA UAL F William Allan $4.50

57S3 420710 Bellingham WA UAL F William Allan $3.00

Boeing 720
         Recognizing that Boeing had scooped Douglas on putting jets into the air first, United had already ordered a fleet of medium range 720's before its DC-8's were delivered.

57E5 670801 Chicago IL UAL RL Stimely $2.25

57E5f 670801 Chicago IL UAL RL Stimely $2.25

57W6 670801 Toronto Canada UAL Clark E Luther $22.50

57W6f 670801 Toronto Canada UAL Clark E Luther $26.25

INDEX: First Flights by CAM Route #

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

INDEX: First Flights by AM Route #

INDEX: First Flights by Experimental Route #

INDEX: First Flights by AM Route #

INDEX: First Flights by Air Taxi Services Route #

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