Ryan Airlines  Ryan-Douglas Cloudster                             (c/n  ?)

                                  

                                      So successful was Claude Ryans' Los Angeles - San Diego Air Line that he had Harley
                                      Bowlus modify a Douglas Cloudster to carry ten passengers.  There was no door, so
                                      passengers had to climb over the fuselage coaming to gain access to the cramped cabin.
                                 .    I imagine that take off was quite interesting with the 400 h.p. Liberty V-12 engine
                                      straining at the bit to get off the ground.   Despite this, business was brisk and in 1926
                                      the 3 modified Standards and the Cloudster took some 5,600 folks on the 120 mile
                                      flight at a $17.50 one way and $26.50 round trip fare.  Ryan ceased operations in
                                      1927 allowing other operators to take over the route.   Ryan went on to the form the
                                      Ryan Aeronautical Company, builder of Charles Lindbergh's model NYP  "Spirit of
                                      St. Louis".  Photo above via Ryan Aeronautical.