some $75,000. to $85,000. This to purchase computer hardware and software to permit the scanning of artifacts and as well to secure additional acid free storage equipment. It is our desire to transfer many of the photographs and other paper material to video and/ or DVD. In this manner an extensive library of historical matters related to the airlines can be made available for study and research projects. At the same time the original documents can be preserved for the future. There are several fund raising projects being studied to accomplish those goals. We earnestly solicit your support and thank you for any help you can give to make our efforts a continuing success.

HOW THE WEST WAS WON

            On the occasion of the 20 th Anniversary of the February 1933 Survey Flight that resulted in the expansion of NWA routes from the Twin Cities to Seattle, a story was written by Bob Rees of the NWA PR Department about that venture. With the passing of another fifty years, we think the historical significance makes the story worth repeating.

            “If those Swedes from Minnesota don’t stay out of these mountains, they’re going to break their blank. Blank’ necks!” An outspoken United Airlines pilot muttered that grim prediction to a fellow flyer in a Spokane hotel 20 years ago. The Swedes he was hexing were a group of pioneering Northwest Airlines men who were, literally, exploring a “Northwest Passage.” They had come all the way from the Twin Cities; their destination was Seattle.

            “That the pilot’s forecast was unduly pessimistic is proved by the fact that four of the Minnesota “Swedes” involved in the expedition are still active in NWA affairs and are as sound of limb as ever. The flier from the other airline could scarcely have guessed that one day dozens of planes would be operating over the same area. It was 20 years ago last month that the survey flight from the Twin Cities to Seattle opened the Pacific Northwest for NWA. Skeptics had said the route was impractical because of the harsh winter weather and the mountains. NWA officials and the pilots set out to prove the doubters wee wrong.

            “They couldn’t have chosen more trying circumstances. Blizzards and runway snowdrifts tested the fliers all along the line. They were handicapped, because commercial flying was still in an elementary stage, by lack of radio, weather reports and, particularly, precedent and experience. By finding the best route from Minneapolis to Seattle, NWA (then Northwest Airways) hoped to gain government permission to extend its system to the West Coast.

“Starting out without definite plans and in a heavy snowstorm, the adventurous group flew to Bismarck then the airline’s western terminal, the first day. The pilot was Hugh Rueschenberg, the copilot Joe Kimm. Both are flying Stratocrusiers at present. Henie Wahlstrom, today a crew chief at STP, was the flight mechanic. General traffic manager Croil Hunter, now chairman of the board, was one of the officials on the flight. Others on board were the late Col. L.H. Brittin, general manager, Mrs. Hunter who left the flight at Bismarck, and Amelia Earhart, famous aviatrix who went along as an