The Antique Airplane Association, in tandem with the Air Power Museum, will host the 2008 Invitational Fly-In at Antique Airfield (IA27), in Blakesburg, Iowa.
The fly-in, slated for Aug. 27 to Sept. 1, will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the beginning of air mail service in the Unites States.
“I cannot remember a theme of our fly-in creating more interest and excitement than the one for this year,” said Brent Taylor, executive director of the Antique Airplane Association.
The organization has invited more than 30 different airplanes to the fly-in, including a Curtiss Jenny, the world’s only flying De Havilland DH-4, a Boeing 40C, Ryan M-1, Pitcairn Mailwings, Stearman 4Ds and C3Bs, Stinson Trimotors, Ford Trimotors, a Stinson SM-8, Wacos and many more.
“Most of these aircraft carry authentic air mail colors and airline markings,” Taylor said. “It should be a great sight to see.”
Plans include using some of the original airplanes to, once again, “fly the mail.” Special souvenir air mail covers will be flown from Antique Airfield to nearby Ottumwa airport. Plans also include a flight to Iowa City, one of the original transcontinental airmail stops. Each air mail cover will receive an official USPS outgoing cancellation stamp. The covers will be available for purchase each day in the gift shop.
For more information: 641-938-2773