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| Alexis Park Inn & Suites |
| 1165 S. Riverside Drive |
| Iowa City, Iowa 52246 |
| Toll Free: 888-9ALEXIS |
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(888-925-3947) |
| Local: 319 337-8665 |
| Fax: 319 351-4102 |
| Email:AlexisParkInn@mchsi.com |
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Proud Members of: |
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| Arnold Jennings |
| Arnold Jennings is the grandson of W.J. Benjamin -- the farmer who opened his pasture to early airplanes, starting what would later become Iowa City Municipal Airport. |
| In 1997, Mr. Jennings sent Bill Tinkler the following series of historic photographs, taken at his grandfather's farm in Iowa City during the 1920s. Bill is a renowned expert on the history of the U.S. Airmail system, and in 2004 he was kind enough to share these amazing photos with us. |
| I have included all of Mr. Jenning's original notes, where available. (Click the thumbnails to view a larger picture.) |
A Tin Lizzy in Iowa City "I
remember my Uncle Don taking me through this Ford Tri-motor. I was
impressed by its being covered in "corrugated" sheet iron. Believe I
was 3 or 4 years old at the time, so this would be 1927 or '28. I
thought the wicker seats, however, were pretty cheap. They were taking
people up for rides on that day, and did a pretty brisk business. I
wanted to go in the worst way. I think the rides were $5.00 -- too
expensive for my uncle and me." |
 Accident
Aftermath "I believe this is a DH-4 but I'm no sure it was a mail
plane. I presume this is the type of damage from a ground loop." |
 "I'm not sure this was a mail plane, but if it were I wonder if the history of the plane and "Tex" could be found from the number "274" found on the rudder? Note the three vertical stripes on the rudder -- were these original markings on Army surplus planes that had been sold to private individuals?" |
 An Early Airshow in Iowa City "The following five pictures are from an airshow held at my grandfather's farm around 1928. This picture shows a plane lined up for departure. Note my grandfather's barn and radio tower in background." |
 "This picture shows another plane in front of the radio tower. Note the windmill over the left wing." |
 "Another picture taken at the same event." |
 "I believe the tower in the background supports a radio antenna. Note the age of the cars parked behind." |
It's hard to see, but the barn is behind the left
wing, and there is a mother and two kids watching the pilot climb into the
cockpit. |
Barnstormer Giving Rides "This Curtis Jenny is obviously being
used for civilian purposes -- giving airplane rides -- but still retains, I
believe, its original Army markings. Note the vertical stripes on the
rudder and I believe there are roundels on the upper wing." |
"I have no idea the date of this picture." |
"Date is about 1925. My uncle Don gave me this
picture when I was about 9 or 10 years old and he said it was the first
plane to land in Iowa City." (Editor's Note: Uncle Don was incorrect.) |
 Another
Landing Accident This thumbnail shows pictures 1, 2, and
3 of a 6-photo sequence, showing the aftermath of a landing accident."I think this is an interesting sequence of pictures showing how they sometimes got a plane back on its wheels again after a mishap." |
Note: This is pictures 4, 5, and 6 of the 6 photo
sequence. |
 An
Army Bomber Comes to Iowa City "I believe this one has twin
rudders. It looks something like the Martin M-2 bomber but there are
differences, particularly in the struts and landing gear. It think my
uncle took my up to see this plane. If so, than this picture was taken
in 1927 or 1928." |
 Mail
Planes that Carried Passengers "This would appear to be an
early "enclosed" passenger plane as well as an airmail plane. The
fuselage and wings appear to be covered with corrugated aluminum. The
pilot sits 'half in' and 'half out' of the plane. Note the windsock in
background of 2nd picture." |
"Doing engine work on a DH-4." |
 The
First Hangar in Iowa City is Destroyed "Sometimes they
even cracked up the hangar! Actually a windstorm did this to one of
the first -- if not THE first -- hangar built on my grandfather's farm." |