(888-925-3947)

Proud Members of:

Iowa Bed & Breakfast Guild

Iowa City Chamber of Commerce

Iowa City Convention & Visitor's Bureau

 & The Airmail

On Friday, 8/29/08, and Saturday, 8/30/08, the Antique Aircraft Association organized airmail reenactment flights from Ottumwa to Iowa City, in commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of the Airmail in America, and the 90th Anniversary of the Iowa City Airport.

Friday they were scheduled to arrive at 1:30 PM, but faced a significant headwind aloft, so they ended up arriving a bit late, touching down at 2 PM.  It was quite a sight to see, as a flight of FIVE mail planes -- a Ford Trimotor, a Stinson Trimotor, a Sikorsky S-39, a Waco and a Stearman all gracefully approached from the South.

Everything was in place for their arrival.  Thanks to Postmaster Doug Curtis' enthusiastic support, the US Postal Service set up temporary quarters in the upstairs conference room, with a panoramic view of the ramp.  The Antique Car Museum of Iowa provided an authentic 1920s-era Model T delivery truck to meet the planes, and our local Iowa City Post Master precisely recreated his predecessor's actions by "meeting the mail" at the planes -- just as they did in the 1920s.

It was a marvelous way to celebrate the dual anniversaries!  Here are some pics from Day One   

(Day Two pix are at the bottom of the page):

Postmaster Doug Curtis awaits the mail!	The Ford taxies in	This is the oldest airliner in the world	Greg Herrick & gang give the thumb's up on the flight!
The special, historically authentic cancelation stamps	That's a gorgeous mail plane...	The Model T awaiting the mail...
Postmaster Doug Curtis receives the mail	The temporary Post Office was abuzz with activity	A Stinson & a Ford in Iowa City!	A rare sight in Iowa City!
The interior of the Ford	Greg Herrick looks at a historic Iowa City photo of a Ford Trimotor just like his!	Two pix stitched together showing the whole Iowa City ramp	The Waco & the Stearman
Lining up for departure	Almost ready to go...	Putting the Model T away...till we do it again tomorrow!

 

On Day Two, Saturday, we were able to do it all over again (look at that sky!), but even better -- with SEVEN planes participating, including Ted Davis' New Standard!  They arrived right on time, and -- best of all -- the newspaper article generated a ton of interest, and the crowds were much larger for Day Two of the airmail reenactments. 

Here are some pix from the days activities...

The crowd saw them coming...	Here comes the first one!	Parking by the Model T	The Texaco Ship came both days
Absolutely gorgeous...	A great crowd showed up for the Saturday reenactment!	Not everyone was into the airplanes...	Crowd greets Greg Herrick as he deplanes from the Ford
The Ford is a BIG plane...		Greg Herrick, owner of both trimotors...
		New & Old...	P-C reporter interviews Greg Herrick
The ramp was full...	Too soon, time to leave	Taxiing out	What a sky!
Our classic terminal, framed with wings...	Another shot of our Iowa City Airport terminal	Trimotor through the window...	The trimotor through the window...
Texaco leaves...	Time to go so soon... the cabin WacoTaxies out	XM weather on a biplane???	Texaco leaving...
Lined up for departure...

Many thanks to all who participated, and made the 90th Anniversary truly one to remember!