This airplane is a Fairchild FC-2W, S/N 28. It is a five-seat, high-wing monoplane designed for cargo hauling. Its wings folded back for hangar storage. This airplane was probably manufactured ca. 1927-28 by the Fairchild Airplane Mfg. Corp., Farmingdale, LI, NY.

Several images below, courtesy of Daryl Aavang (cited, right sidebar), shows NC4770 with Richard K. Peck (L) and Register pilot Melvin Aavang. Mr. Peck owned the airplane at this time and planned to take it, during 1928, on a South Pacific trip to explore New Guinea. Peck was killed in a separate plane crash on May 26, 1931, so this photograph was taken before then (ca. 1928-29?), and probably well before we find it at Tucson (see below).

NC4770, R.K. Peck, Melving Aavang, Ca. Before May 26, 1931 (Source: Aavang)

"CELOTEX" Pushed for Contrast From the Image Below

This second image, below, shows, L-R, Melvin Aavang, a Dr. E.W. Brandes(?) and Peck sitting in the cockpit of NC4770. The fuselage livery says "Department of Agriculture Sugar Expedition Papua-and-New Guinea." The expedition went to New Guinea June-September, 1928. It was the subject of a National Geographic article. "Pilot R.K. Peck" is lettered under the cockpit door window, and, visible if I push the contrast, the word "CELOTEX" is painted under the second set of windows (right).

Contributor Daryl Aavang says of this photograph, "I was born in Elgin in Oct. 1927, had a five year old sister, and my parents lived very close to the airfield, which in later years I was told dad had (managed/owned/leased/or just parked his plane at) for some years.  My father and mother became acquainted with many of the pilots who flew in from other cities, often invited them to our home for parties, and of course both my parents knew Mr. Peck quite well, as he was from Elgin himself.  As for Dr. Brandes, all I remember is dad mentioning him occasionally while talking about Dick Peck."

NC4770 With M. Aavang, E.W. Brandes(?) and R.K. Peck in Cockpit (Source: Aavang)

Detail of NC4770 Wing Attach/Fold Lock

Another interesting feature of this airplane is that the wings fold back to ease transportation and storage. In the vignette at left, I enlarged the intersection of the wing with the fuselage just over the head of pilot Peck. You can see a lever facing forward, and a small padlock placed through a hole in the lever, which locks it to a bracket attached to the wing. The lever unlocks the forward attach point of the wing, allowing it to fold backward. The padlock is a safety measure to assure that the wings don't fold back during flight.

The images below show NC4770 in Seattle, WA on its way to or returning from New Guinea. R.K. Peck is on the right with Mel Aavang at the naval hangar, Lake Washington, Seattle, WA. Note the wings are folded back for easier storage.

NC4770, Lake Washington, Seattle, WA, Ca. 1928 (Source: Aavang)

Below, the caption on the back of the photograph in Melvin Aavang's handwriting.

Caption, NC4770, Lake Washington, Seattle, WA, Ca. 1928 (Source: Aavang)

Below, after the voyage to New Guinea, NC4770 is flown east to Washington, DC.

Dick Peck in Flight, Ca. 1929 (Source: Aavang)

The caption, below, identifies the photographer as Melvin Aavang's wife, Cleo.

Caption, Dick Peck in Flight, Ca. 1929 (Source: Aavang)

The 1929 date is after the return from New Guinea the previous September, and probably earlier than April, 1929. Indeed, NC4770 landed at Tucson Friday, April 19, 1929 at 1:00 PM. It was flown by G.C. Pomeroy carrying a single passenger, B.G. Dahlberg. Based at Chicago, IL, they were westbound from El Paso, TX to Los Angeles, CA.

The image below, courtesy of friend of dmairfield.org Tim Kalina, comes from the October 1929 issue of the Air Travel magazine rotogravure section. Not only do we see a spectacularly clear image of NC4770 (bottom photo), but the background pattern of repeating biplanes is very creative and attractive. The person is identified as Mr. Dahlberg.

Fairchild NC4770, Bottom, ca. 1929 (Source: Kalina)

In this photograph, NC4770 has a different paint job and fuselage livery than when it was flown in New Guinea. The top photograph is of Stinson Detroiter NC3347, which does not appear in the Register.

---o0o---

THIS PAGE UPLOADED: 02/27/08 REVISED: 11/20/10, 12/08/10