Republic Airlines and its twelve predecessors formed one of the finest national airlines that ever spanned the nation. Although in existence for only six years, it created a legacy of dependability and service while flying into more locations that any other airline of the time. They had the right equipment, at the right time, employees with the right esprit de corps, and were famous for their solid performance when other legacy airlines, like Eastern, Braniff, etc. were failing. How did all of this come about? Here are facts, data, information, plus lots of rare photographs, including "behind the scenes" stories of these airlines. This book includes photos and illustrations depicting all phases of the history of Republic Airlines and its predecessors from the 1940s until 1986, including extensive coverage of aircraft, facilities, airports served, maintenance, personnel, route maps, timetables, logos, and fleet listings. Histories include: Wisconsin Central Airlines, North Central Airlines, Southern Airways, Hughes Airwest, Air West, Southwest Airways, Pacific Air Lines, Zimmerly Airlines, Empire Airlines, West Coast Airlines, Bonanza Air Lines, and Republic Airlines.