Did you know that United Airlines’ first flight included Boise, Idaho, on the itinerary? On the morning of April 6, 1926 — a day that would become a monumental part of United’s history — pilot Leon Cuddeback flew from Pasco, Washington, to Boise, Idaho, in a Swallow aircraft.
50 years later in 1976, Cuddeback recounted his experience from that day.
I would like to know what the number of the Sparrow biplane that pilot William E. Sanborn crashed on April 15, 1927 on the Route SLC to Boise during a snow storm. The Times-News printed a picture of the wrecked front plane on 28 Dec, 2003. The Jones family that discovered the plane later installed a copper plaque some 40 years later at the crash site near King Hill. I also happen to purchase one of the Winchester Carbines bought for the 6 planes from a distant relative. It is branded with the number of the plane painted on the Stabilizer and from Cuddeback’s estate collection. The Smithsonian has a later panoramic pic of all 6 planes at the original Boise Airport
I apologize for missing your comment earlier. I’ll see what I can find out. Check to see if this has any information that you don’t already possess: http://1926flight-greenhat6.blogspot.com/. You can reach me directly at info@idaviationheritage.org.