North Central Airlines History: Herman the Duck & the Northliners – Airline Employee Shop

North Central Airlines History

North Central Airlines grew from a Wisconsin truck maker's flight department into one of the Midwest's biggest local airlines, flying Herman the Duck across the region until it helped form Republic in 1979. Here's a short history of North Central, plus the North Central Airlines collection that celebrates it.

Wisconsin Central beginnings (1944–1952)

The airline started at the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company (FWD) in Clintonville, Wisconsin. In 1944 company executives decided to launch Wisconsin Central Airlines, and service began in 1946 among six Wisconsin cities using small twin-engine Cessna UC-78 Bobcats. Lockheed Electra 10A airliners followed, and certificated flights began in February 1948. Headquarters soon moved from Clintonville to Madison.

A new name and the DC-3 years (1952–1966)

Douglas DC-3s, the first of them bought from TWA, arrived in the early 1950s. In 1952 the company moved its headquarters to Minneapolis and in December took the name North Central Airlines. The network spread across the upper Midwest and later reached Detroit and Omaha. In 1959 North Central added Convair 340s bought from Continental Airlines.

Turboprops and jets (1967–1979)

1967 was a big year. Turboprop Convair 580s joined the fleet, and in September North Central began jet service with the Douglas DC-9-30. The last DC-3 flight came in 1969. After deregulation the airline added larger DC-9-50s and new routes beyond the Midwest. By 1979 it flew DC-9-50s, DC-9-30s and Convair 580s from hubs at Chicago O'Hare, Detroit, Milwaukee and Minneapolis/St. Paul, with service to Canada as well.

Merger into Republic (1979)

On July 1, 1979, North Central merged with Southern Airways to form Republic Airlines, the first airline merger after deregulation. Republic kept Herman the Duck and the Convair 580s. Republic later joined Northwest Airlines in 1986, which places North Central in the family tree of Delta Air Lines today.

A few things collectors love

  • Herman the Duck, the flying mallard logo, became one of the best-loved airline symbols in the Midwest and lived on at Republic.
  • North Central called its aircraft "Northliners" and promoted itself as the "Route of the Northliners."
  • One early aircraft was christened "Northliner Alice in Dairyland" at Madison's airport.

Shop North Central Airlines

Browse North Central Airlines logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the North Central Airlines collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for the Midwest flyer in your life.

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