It has been quite a while since I contributed to the Captain’s Log, so I decided to use our forced “time out” at the hands of Tropical Storm Nicole to dust the cobwebs off my collection and share some images. My last writings covered Central and South America, and I felt it was time to put the spotlight on Mexico.
When I worked at Baltimore Airport (BWI) from 1986 to 2002,, Mexicana operated regular services using Boeing 727s and, at peak times, DC-10 aircraft. Compania Mexicana de Aviacion, S.A. de C.V. had a long history going back to 1921. As I recall, their service was pretty reliable, and the passengers seemed satisfied.
Winter sun seekers and college (and some high school) spring breakers often flew on Mexican non-scheduled or charter carriers. Some were good, some less so, but we worked them all, and the merry-makers went south to tan and came home to resume their studies. One airline that sticks in my mind was AeroCancun, which had modern equipment and a set of insignia that I still covet for my collection. Their Jefe de Pilotos assured me that he would bring me a set on his next trip, but even though we met several times after that, the silver, white and turquoise wings and cap badge never materialized.
Sad tale over, here are those insignia that I did manage to obtain over the years. Certainly, CMA / Mexicana and later Aviacsa, LaTur, Aeromar Allegro and TEASA passed through BWI, most aquisitions were the result of letters addressed to the main bases of the airlines featured or purchases on eBay.
Enjoy our quick trip south of the border.
Mexican Carrier Insignias
AEROMEXICO – Aeronaves de Mexico/Aerovias de Mexico (AM / AMX)
1934-present. Adopted name AEROMEXICO in 1972. Two versions are shown below.
AEROMAR – Transportes Aeromar S.A. de C.V. (VW / TAO)
1987 – present.
Aeromar insignia.
Allegro – LineasAereas Allegro (LL / GRO)
1992 – 2004.
Allegro insignia.
AVIACSA – Consorcio Aviaxsa S.A. de C.V. (GA / CHP)
1990 – 2011.
AVIACSA insignia.
MEXICANA – Compania Mexicana de Aviacion, S.A. de C.V. – Mexicana de Aviacion (MX / MXA)
1921 – 2010. Three styles of insignia are shown below.
Interjet – ABC Aerolineas, S.A. de C.V., (4O / AIJ)
This article is a part of The Captain’s Log, Issue 40-4, Spring 2016
Written by Lane Kranz
To celebrate the Captain’s Log 40th Anniversary we have put together a list of the World’s 40 Rarest Junior Wings. I have collaborated with the world’s greatest junior wing collectors to assemble this list. Many thanks to Dave Cherkis, Bill Gawchik, Jose Gonzales, Cameron Fleming, and Bryan Mellon for sharing wings from their outstanding collections as well as their expertise. Together, the six of us voted on the Top 10 and we present this list to celebrate 40 Years of collecting. Also, a very honorable mention to long time collector, mentor, and friend Stan Baumwald for being the “godfather” of junior wings and his contributions, as well.
Collecting junior wings is certainly a ‘niche’ hobby. WAHS member Bryan Mellon shared his story on how he got started collecting junior wings. In 1980, Bryan was five years old and his family moved to Japan. He flew four different airlines between Richmond and Tokyo. At the end of the trip, he had four different junior wings (Eastern, Delta, Western, and Northwest) and he was hooked on collecting. Today, Bryan is a pilot for Alaska Airlines and he still has those original four wings from his trip.
My experience started in the early 1980s as a young teenager. I started collecting timetables, post cards, junior wings, and just about anything airline related. In 1985 I attended my first Airliner’s International convention in San Jose, California. I was in heaven. These were my kind of people! I was hooked. Over the next few years I began to realize that I needed to narrow my focus to junior wings and timetables. One story comes to mind from my early days as a junior wing collector. I was a college student in 1989 and I didn’t have much money. I ran into Stan Baumwald at an airliner show and he was selling a Texas International junior wing for $40. He told me it was really rare and hard to find, but $40 was just too much for my college student budget. I passed on that one. I spent the next 20 years regretting my decision as that wing is extremely rare and hard to find. I eventually found another one, but it cost me a lot more than forty bucks! I guess they call that perspective. Today, I’m a pilot for Delta Air Lines and collecting junior wings is still one of my greatest passions.
I realize this list is quite subjective and everyone will have their own opinion. However, the purpose of this list is to showcase the best of the best from the world’s greatest junior wing collectors. Here are the 40 Rarest
