XB-AAI    Bellanca H-300 Pacemaker                              (c/n  164)

                              

                                   Interesting shot of an early Aeronaves de Mexico airlines machine.  First of all, it was not the
                                   "No. 1" aircraft of the fledgling airline.   That was Stinson reliant XB-AJI.   Secondly, like the
                                   Stinson, it was registered XB-. indicating a privately held aircraft, whereas commercial pass-
                                   enger craft were and are,  XA-.      There were actually four Pacemakers in the original fleet.  
                                   Possibly XB-AAI was the first of this type, hence the "No 1" on the rudder.      .The others,
                                   incidentally were XA-BAC, -BAT and -DAF,. The original route of the fledgling airline was
                                   from Mexico City to Acapulco, as seen on the cabin door in the Aeromexico archives photo
                                   above.  Despite obstacles over the years the airline grew and grew and, as with Ansett in
                                   Australia, Aeronaves, in a tail wagging the dog maneuver, acquired Mexicana in 1993 and
                                   became the Mexican flag carrier, renaming itself Aeromexico.