HARRY DUFF 1946 - 1961 AIRCRAFT MECHANIC, LEAD AIRCRAFT MECHANIC, INSPECTOR DEN MARRIED TO SECRETARY FAYE SHIELDS DUFF BROTHER OF AIRCRAFT MECHANIC BILL DUFF Harry Duff was born April 22, 1924 and died January 27, 1991 in Aurora, CO at age 66. He started with Monarch Airlines on July 8, 1946. He was an inspector. -Ken Schultz Database (9/25/03) I would like to share some 'history' with you as I remember it to be. My name is Faye (Shields) Duff. In September, 1946, I was hired by Monarch Airlines as Secretary to the Sup't of Mtnc, Jack Burnell. At that time, I was a student at a Business School and met a lady, Fay Cox, who knew Ray Wilson. I made an appointment to interview, and the rest is history. I was 17 at that time. I worked with Harry Russell, assistant to Jack, and remember, fondly, knowing Harry Summerton, Conrad Greenemier, Tunie Bergen, 'Pop' Burnell, Jerry Kimmel, Carl Willman, Jack Mericle, Charles and Dorothy Meisenbach, Florence and Walter Dyess, Swede, Bill Hayes, so many more good, great people... all pioneers. At that time, Monarch was not an 'operational airline'. The DC-3's were being converted from military C-47's. Before Monarch was certificated to operate, it was necessary to have 'weight and balance' and 'check' rides and the employees, bravely, loaded into the aircraft, and off we went, flying out of the old Stapleton Field. This gave the pilots and 'stewards' an opportunity to 'practice'. Many of the pilots, mechanics, and other employees were WW2/vets. A stewards' job was serving the passengers, as well as helping the ground personnel to handle cargo, etc. Stewardesses were hired much later. Inasmuch as, after the War, the Air Force was downsizing its 'aircraft and parts', Conrad Greenemier, Harry Duff, Jr., and Dick Flieder were hired early in 1946, to obtain parts from Military Surplus sources, etc., and set up the aircraft parts department. It was, at this time, I met Harry Duff, and in October, 1948, we were married. Harry left the airlines several years later, to work with his brother, Bill Duff, (a former Challenger-Denver employee) and, together, they formed the largest surplus aircraft parts company in the United States. Needless to say, as we all were a part of the new 'Airline Business', we thought we were 'hot stuff'...and we were. That was approximately 65/67 years ago. I know there must be a few of us still around from the FAL-1946-era....God Bless All.... AAAH ! ! !...MEMORIES...Those were the good old days... -Faye Shield Duff (85) (6/22/14) Please extend my subscription for the FLNEWS for two more years. In September, 1946, I was hired to be Secretary for Jack Burnell, Sup't of Mtnce. In reading the News, there are few names I recognize inasmuch as the people I remember are long retired and/or gone West, whatever And at 86 years young, my memory may not be as sharp, but) certainly remember many of the good old times. I was hired at the time the military C47's were being refitted in Hangar 5 into commercial passenger DC3's. After being completed, they were ready to be airborne and put Monarch Airlines in the blue skies. It was at this time I met my husband-to-be. Harry N. Duff, Jr. and married in 1948. Ray Wilson knew Harry and in 1946, ask him to join his adventure. Harry, Dick Flieder and Conrad (Dutch) Greenmier, began setting up and organizing the aircraft parts room. Harry had an A&E Mechanics License and transferred to the floor to become, eventually, a Lead Mechanic and an Inspector. Years later, Harry left to join his brother, J.W. (Bill) Duff, and together, Harry and Bill formed the largest privately owned aircraft salvage business in the USA, if not the world. Also, please note that Bill Duff was a Challenger Airlines employee, around 1946/47, working with ground maintenance based in Denver. Harry passed in January, 1991, Bill in January, 2013 and Dick Flieder a few years ago, and Dutch many years ago. Yes, it was a glorious time in my life, Thank you for recording Frontier's story and bringing back the best of remembrances for me of good FLOLK people and wonderful times. -Faye Shield Duff (5/1/15) I have always enjoyed reading about FAL history. I had met a lady in 1946, at the business school I was attending. She gave me info that Monarch, not yet a certified airline, was hiring. In Sept, 1946, I went for an interview with Jack Burnell, Sup't. Of Mtnce. Jack, after my interview, said I was hired, even though I was much younger (17 soon to be 18) than he would have preferred, age-wise. (Note: I graduated at 16, attended a business school, and, soon to be 18, it was time to become a secretary as I hoped to be. A great event in my life.) Harry Duff met Ray Wilson while working at a small airport where Ray had his flight school. Ray ask Harry to join him at the new airline he was organizing. Harry, a mechanic, was assigned, as well, to work with William 'Ham' Hamilton, 'Dutch' Conrad Greenmier, and Dick Flieder in setting up the Parts Stockroom. It was Dutch and Harry's job to attend as many private and/or government surplus aircraft parts sales, to buy for the stockroom, the type of parts needed to be used in maintaining the surplus military aircraft (DC3's) being converted to passenger use for Monarch. That 'parts experience' was a great education for Harry, and, with his brother, J. W. 'Bill' Duff, who had worked for Challenger in 'ground mtnce', Denver, later formed 'Duff Aircraft'. It become the largest of its type of aircraft parts and salvage business in the world. Harry and I were married in 1948. Harry passed in 1991 and Bill in 2013. With fondness, I remember 'old timers', Harry Russell, his happy laugh, Asst. to Jack Burnell; gruff but helpful, Tunney Bergen, engine shop; Harry Summerton, with Maybell Scott, George Swonger, Norma Jean Rasmussen, Dorothy Meisenbach, all in Records; 'Swede' Nettleblad and Bill Hayes, pilots, and so many more, their names escape me. (Some names may be misspelled or, ... Sorry.) Thanks for the memories...without your publication, I would not have such happy 'recall'. ( I will soon be '90'). I have so many memories stored. Ahem!! Thank you. B. Faye (Shields) Duff, ... 303-366-7055. 680 S. Alton Way, 5C, Denver 80247. -Faye Shield Duff (1/4/18) H N DUFF JR DEN inspector per the Nov 1955 Frontier Employees Roster. H N DUFF JR DEN inspector DOB 4/22/24 DOH 4/2/46 per the Feb 1960 Frontier Employees Roster. The Apr 1961 article about his 15th year anniversary is the last thing I have on his service so I will show him leaving Frontier in 1961 until more info is received. -Jake Lamkins (1/29/19) FLacebook - FL Club FLight West: Harry Duff DEN inspector Harry Duff's memorial webpage has been updated at http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Harry_Duff.html He was one of the early Monarch employees in 1946. -Jake Lamkins (1/31/19)