Operational history Travel Air 5000

woolaroc, winner of ill-fated dole air race in flight

the prototype travel air 5000, s/n 160 spirit of oakland sold pacific air transport in april 1927 , resold ernest smith 14 july flight oakland, california molokai, hawaii crashed on landing becoming second aircraft complete trans-pacific flight, , first civilian aircraft so.

orders placed in june 1927 2 custom-built travel air model 5000 aircraft compete in oakland, california honolulu, hawaii dole air race. 2 teams placed $5000 deposits, , later sponsored frank phillips of phillips petroleum promote nu-aviation fuel. oklahoma forced return land, while woolaroc completed flight , won.

woolaroc later modified late in 1928 unsuccessful transcontinental speed record attempt.

national air transport, , royal airways used model 5000 in revenue service. production of first 4 airliners in west douglas plant. on 30 june 1927 production of 2 modified model 5000 s started in newly constructed east central factory.