While building Pacific Western Air Lines (1953), Russ Baker bent, broke or flagrantly
disobeyed most of the regulations governing air transport. Along the way PWA managed to
absorb most of its competitors. PWA acquired the first of an eventual 40 Boeing 737s in
1968. Two more arrived in 1969 and one in 1970, completing the initial purchase of four
aircraft as the airline took over many of CP Air’s western domestic routes. PWA became the
dominant carrier in the west, finally absorbing CP Air and Wardair before its own collapse
and assimilation by Air Canada.
In 1957 the PW prefix was adopted for the registration codes and in 1961 PWA unveiled
their new colour scheme. The familiar red over blue arrow on the tail and fuselage became
known as the “Flying Moustache“.

• CF-PWB : acquired in 1973, sold to Pan Am in 1983
• CF-PWC: acquired in 1970, written off in a crash at Cranbrook, B.C. in 1978
• CF-PWD: First PWA 737. Acquired in 1968, became EI-BJE in 1980.