EAL DC-2 in formation with the transatlantic Vultee V-1 NR13770 Lady Peace, flown by EAL pilot Dick Merrill. Another shot shows a second DC-2 too. Supposedly the photos were taken when Merrill set out for the big flight, but it is unlikely that he would have wasted fuel to formate with the DC-2s and the photographer's aircraft. Thus they were probably taken either before or after Merrill's transatlanic return flight, or during his return to New York, as NC13731 was the very DC-2 that flew in a new propeller for the Vultee to Harbour Grace, Newfoundland; see photos 415955 & 415972. Photo by: Rudy Arnold / Smithsonian Institution

The former Western Air Express company was severed from TWA and operated as General Air Lines from May till December 1934. This was the second airline to fly the DC-2, having only one example in service for much of this brief period, NC13733 (c/n 1259), working route AM-13 between Salt Lake City and San Diego. Despite having fleet number 1, NC13731 was not delivered until September. At the end of the year, GAL's services were taken over by United Air Lines and its four DC-2s were sold to Eastern Air Lines. One of the men here is EAL's Eddie Rickenbacker - tall, standing to the right of the GAL logo. Photo from: Western Airlines

NC13731 flew in spares - probably a propeller - for the transatlantic Vultee V-1 NR13770 Lady Peace which, flown by EAL chief pilot Dick Merrill, had landed in a bog at Musgrave Harbour, Newfoundland. EAL boss and WWI ace Eddie Rickenbacker was on board the DC-2, but it was piloted by George Branson and Joe Kelly. Several planes carrying journalists also arrived. Photo from: Conception Bay Museum