Celebrating 100 years of the Travel Air

Phil Taylor’s Travel Air 4000 was photographed in June 1981 over western Washington. (Photo by Frederick A. Johnsen)

The Travel Air Restorers Association Type Club is planning a celebration for the 100th anniversary of the founding of Travel Air, Inc., by Walter Beech, Lloyd Stearman, Clyde Cessna, and Walter Innes in 1925 in Wichita, Kansas.

The celebration, slated for July 10-13 at Stearman Field (1K1) in Benton, Kansas, also will host activities at Wichita’s Jabara Field (KAAO), according to organizers.

“We invite all Travel Air owners and enthusiasts to attend and be a part of this once-in-a-life time event,” organizers continued.

Travel Air No. 1, taken on the day of its first flight, March 13, 1925, just southeast of Wichita, Kansas. Note the straight axial landing gear unique to the first few aircraft. The aircraft is powered by a Curtiss OX-5 water-cooled 90-hp V-8 engine. (Photo from the Ed Phillips collection)

The celebration is more than a weekend event, organizers noted.

After the celebration wraps up in Kansas, it will continue with a flight north to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, with a stop in Blakesburg, Iowa, for a BBQ hosted by the Antique Airplane Association. AirVenture is slated for July 21-27.

For more information, contact Jerry Impellezzeri at [email protected].

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