Awesome Antiques - Blakesburg Iowa Antique Fly In 2015

It was a last minute trip to Iowa this past September. The effort was worth it as the weather was sunny and the aircraft turned up in good numbers. Here are some highlights from the Antique Airplane Association Fly-In 2015 in Blakesburg, Iowa. This grass strip event provides the perfect setting for vintage airplanes and photography. It is another on my list of "must see" aviation events in the United States.

The St. Louis Robin - the record breaking Curtiss Robin

Two Curtiss Robins in flight

180hp Chipmunk

450hp Mullicoupe with Mr. Mulligan in the background

Waco Model D

Ryan SCW

Fairchild 71

Beautiful line up of Cessna 140s

Custom Travel Air

Spartan 7W Executive

Stearman Model 4

Spartan Article featuring S/N 11

A Spartan owner recently sent this link to me featuring Steve Marini's Spartan serial number 11. It is a short history and a nice selection of pictures of this gorgeous Spartan. Take a look here...

http://www.examiner.com/vintage-transportation-in-national/the-spartan-executive

Spartan Picture - Magazine Find

In sorting through some of my magazine collection I found a 1963 issue of AIR PROGRESS.  Inside was a 10 page photo collection of "Outstanding Antiques." The Antique Airplane Association is mentioned on the title page with the photographers listed as Don Downie and Howard Levy. Spartan Executive N46426 is one of the aircraft featured in the spread. I did a quick check of my Spartan listing and found this to be a photo of serial number 31 (NC17665) that now makes its home in California. It is always fun to spot photos of Spartans in paint schemes I have never seen before. Great... another photo for the Spartan collection!

On the subject of Spartans... check out the progress Mr. Hartness is making on the restoration of his Spartan Executive, NC13PH, serial number 13.  See the photo gallery here.

Spartan Featured in Aeroplane Magazine

The January 2010 issue of Aeroplane Monthly magazine features an article on the two Spartan Executives that now reside in England. These two rare classics are currently owned by Nigel Pickard and it looks like they found a good home. Is it legal for one man to own two Spartans? Fantastic pictures accompany the article showing the two in close formation flying over the English countryside. I was late in picking up my issue on the newstand so if you want your own copy you might run down and snag one soon.

Two Spartans

Two Spartan Executives now call England home. This picture was taken recently after S/N 14, NC17615 made the flight across the Atlantic. Thanks to Nick Blacow for the image.