Boeing Vertol 107 New York Airways

General Product Description

Our PlaneArts Boeing Vertol 107 New York Airways model exhibits unique, unrivaled quality and detailed design to come as close as possible to the accuracy of the actual aircraft. It comes as standard with a robust, durable base or stand which is available in a variety of different finishes designed to match your own personal requirements including solid wood, wood with polished metal supports or adjustable wood wall mount and will be ready within about 9-10 weeks from placement of order.

The Boeing Vertol 107 New York Airways model is made of the finest kiln dried renewable mahogany wood (commonly known as Lauan or Meranti) which has undergone many stages of carving and meticulous and careful sanding giving the beautiful, finished museum quality masterpiece. Many collectors and model connoisseurs demonstrate their preference for genuine handmade and hand painted mahogany wood models rather than plastic or die cast (diecast) alternatives due to the overall look and totally different feel of the item - we trust you will find the same. We can however, if required produce the same model in Solid Cast Resin so just click and contact us for further information. Our craftsmen and gifted artisans ensure that our finely handcrafted model airplanes match the precise blueprint details of the original aircraft. The paint scheme, markings and parts are closely matched, reflecting the original aircraft. This stylish top-quality desktop replica model will surely enthrall anyone who receives this as a gift and for sure one of the most appropriate and desirably collectable gifts for any aviation enthusiast and avid helicopter model collector whilst also displaying a perfect resemblance to the actual real life heli.

If you require, we can also make the Boeing Vertol 107 New York Airways model in any other airline, private livery or colour scheme you require and if necessary, in a different size or scale. Just click here to contact us with a description or photographs of what you require, and we will let you have a quotation for the necessary customization by return email. We can also make bespoke scale replicas of any other private / civil commercial airliner or airliners, helicopter, glider, gliders with engines, military jet, warplane jets, propeller warplanes, biplane, triplane, tail fin, spacecraft, rocket or NASA model you require in any airline, military or civilian livery or colors. We also produce model airships, blimp, dirigible, blimps, boat and ship collectibles. Wall plaque or seal for military, government or private customers. Again, by clicking here to contact us just let us know exactly what you need.

Boeing Vertol 107: The Helicopter That Brought Airline Travel to Manhattan

In the mid-20th century, few ideas were more futuristic than boarding a scheduled airline helicopter from the heart of Manhattan. For a generation of New Yorkers, that vision became reality thanks to New York Airways and its fleet of Boeing Vertol 107 helicopters.

From the late 1950s through the 1970s, the Boeing Vertol 107—known in military service as the CH-46 Sea Knight—helped pioneer commercial rotorcraft operations, connecting major airports to rooftop terminals in an era when speed and convenience were prized above all.

The Birth of the Vertol 107

The Vertol 107 was originally developed by Vertol Aircraft Corporation (short for Vertical Takeoff and Landing) in the 1950s. The helicopter’s design was innovative for its time:

• Twin turbine engines for improved power and reliability

• Tandem rotors eliminating the need for a tail rotor

• A spacious, unobstructed cabin capable of carrying substantial passenger loads

After Boeing acquired Vertol in 1960, the aircraft became known as the Boeing Vertol 107-II. While military variants were widely adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy, the civilian version attracted interest from commercial operators eager to revolutionize air travel.

New York Airways and the Vision of Helicopter Airlines

Founded in 1949, New York Airways was the first scheduled helicopter airline in the United States. The company initially used smaller Sikorsky helicopters but needed larger, turbine-powered models to meet growing demand.

In 1962, New York Airways introduced the Boeing Vertol 107 into its fleet, marking a turning point for urban air transport.

Key features of the Boeing Vertol 107 in airline service:

• Passenger Capacity: Up to 25 passengers

• Range: Approximately 300 miles

• Cruising Speed: Around 135 mph (217 km/h)

• Engines: Two General Electric CT58 turbine engines

The 107 offered a smoother ride, quieter operation, and higher payload compared to piston-engine predecessors.

Iconic Routes and Rooftop Terminals

New York Airways’ Vertol 107s operated a network of scheduled services connecting:

• Pan Am Building (now MetLife Building) rooftop heliport in Midtown Manhattan

• Newark Airport

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (then Idlewild Airport)

• LaGuardia Airport

Flights from the Pan Am Building rooftop to JFK took as little as 7 minutes, making it the fastest way to get from Manhattan to an international flight departure.

Passengers could walk into the skyscraper, board the elevator to the rooftop, and fly directly to their airline terminal—a glamorous experience symbolic of 1960s optimism.

Challenges and Legacy

Despite their technical success, the Vertol 107 operations faced challenges:

• High operating costs: Turbine helicopters required significant maintenance and fuel.

• Noise concerns: Downtown residents often objected to the noise of frequent departures and arrivals.

• Safety incidents: A 1977 accident at the Pan Am Building rooftop, when a landing gear failure caused fatalities, ultimately ended rooftop passenger services.

In 1979, New York Airways ceased operations, a victim of rising costs, insurance challenges, and an era of deregulation that favored larger airlines.

Yet the legacy of the Boeing Vertol 107 endures. The helicopter proved that large-scale urban rotorcraft operations were technically feasible. The experience gained in New York would later inform helicopter shuttle services worldwide, including airport transfers still flown today in places like London and São Paulo.

Conclusion

The Boeing Vertol 107 and New York Airways together defined a remarkable chapter in aviation history—when the dream of helicopter airlines briefly became an everyday reality for New Yorkers. Though the era was short-lived, it showcased the possibilities of vertical flight in dense urban environments and left a legacy that inspires urban air mobility innovations today.