Bowen Air Lines
Bowen Air Lines signage
Founded1930-10-01 (1930-10)
Commenced operations1930-10-01
Ceased operations1936-02-15 (1936-02-16)

Bowen Air Lines was an airline that operated from 1 September 1930 until 15 February 1936.[1] Founded in Fort Worth, Texas, by Temple Bowen, it flew passengers and express packages to select destinations between Chicago, Illinois, and Brownsville, Texas. Starting initially with a fleet of five Lockheed Vega aircraft, the airline additionally acquired a Lockheed Sirius, two Lockheed Model 9 Orion aircraft (including the prototype),[2] and two Vultee V-1 aircraft.[3] Despite having flown over 4,000,000 miles and having carried 45,000 passengers, the company ceased operations on 15 February 1936 due to its inability to procure an airmail contract from the United States Post Office Department.[1] With the exception of the Vultee aircraft that were sold to American Airlines,[3] the rest of the company's assets were purchased by Braniff Airways.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Lucas, Ray F. (2022-01-19). "TSHA | Bowen Air Lines, Inc". Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  2. ^ Coates, Ed. "Bowen Air Lines Lockheed Orion". Selections from the Ed Coates Civil Aircraft Photograph Collection. Archived from the original on 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  3. ^ a b Coates, Ed. "Bowen Air Lines DL-1 Vega". Selections from the Ed Coates Civil Aircraft Photograph Collection. Archived from the original on 2016-04-08. Retrieved 2022-02-16.

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