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| 2008 AAA-APM Invitational Fly-In to Commemorate 90th Anniversary of Airmail Service | May '08 |
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The Antique Airplane Association, along with the board of directors of the Air Power Museum, have announced that the 2008 AAA-APM Invitational Fly-In at Antique Airfield, in Blakesburg, Iowa, will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the beginning of airmail service in the Unites States. The dates for the fly-in are Aug. 27 to Sept. 1.
"I can't remember a theme of our fly-in creating more interest and excitement with our members, and with the press, than this one," said Brent Taylor, executive director of the Antique Airplane Association. "We're proud to be able to bring so many of these early airmail aircraft together in one place. We've identified and invited more 30 different airplanes that we hope will be able to make the journey to Antique Airfield. They include a Curtiss Jenny, the world's only flying De Havilland DH-4, Boeing 40C and Ryan M-1, plus Pitcairn Mailwings, multiple squaretail Stearman 4Ds and C3Bs, Stinson and Ford Trimotors, a Stinson SM-8, Wacos and many more. Most of these aircraft carry authentic airmail colors and airline markings. It should be a great sight."
Plans also include using some of these original airplanes to "fly the mail" once again. Special souvenir airmail covers will be flown from Antique Airfield to nearby Ottumwa Industrial Airport. Plans also include a flight to Iowa City, one of the original transcontinental airmail stops. These commemorative airmail flights will occur Wednesday through Saturday, with a different cache printed on the envelopes for each day. Each airmail cover will receive an official USPS outgoing cancellation stamp right at Antique Airfield. The covers will be available for purchase each day in the APM gift shop.
"This will be a great historical event," said Mike Gretz, president of the Air Power Museum Board of Directors. "It will be a rare privilege to once again see these beautiful antique airplanes carry the Unites States mail."
The AAA/APM Invitational Fly-in is a private event open only to members of the Antique Airplane Association, their guests and members of affiliated type clubs. However, anyone with a sincere interest in antique airplanes and the AAA's programs to "keep the antiques flying," is welcome to join.
The Antique Airplane Association is a member-focused organization dedicated to the preservation and operation of pre-1956 aircraft.
For more information, visit www.antiqueairfield.com, call 641-938-2773 or email Antiqueairfield@sirisonline.com.
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