Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame

Declaration of Enshrinement

November 8, 2014

Roscoe Turner

In the spring of 1929, the newly formed Nevada Airlines hired Roscoe Turner as its chief pilot and operations manager. Nevada Airlines flights earned the nickname of “Matrimonial Specials,” “Line to Freedom” or “Liberty Specials,” depending on the nature of the passengers’ trip. Having flown several flights with Turner, Nevada governor Fred R. Balzar granted Turner the title of honorary aide-de-camp on his staff with the rank of lieutenant colonel. California Governor James Rolph Jr. followed suit by appointing Turner to his team as a full colonel. On August 21, 1929, Roscoe demonstrated the practicality of transcontinental passenger service when he made a cross-country flight in a Nevada Airline Lockheed Vega, carrying three passengers in 19 hours and 35 minutes. He completed the return flight in 23 hours and 59 minutes.

For his role in developing commercial passenger service to Nevada, demonstrating transcontinental passenger service viability, and pioneering the use of airline uniforms, Roscoe Turner earned his place in the Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame.

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TD BARNES, Executive Director

Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame