Blakesburg Aug 30-Sep 4

[NC36061]

For a true grass-roots old airplane experience.

http://www.antiqueairfield.com/aaa/

[NC36061]

Re: Blakesburg Aug 30-Sep 4

Dad and I left early Wednesday morning, driving with a 5th wheel camper, and got to Antique Airfield around 16.30 and set up camp on the west side of the south end of the north/south grass runway.

There were several Taylorcrafts in attendance, but nowhere near as many as there were Luscombes, Aeroncas, Pipers, and Cessnas.

A couple of C.G.s J-2's were on hand as well. The black/cream one flew a lot throughout the week. It was no showpiece, but the A-40 and old Grade A still did the job. A nice DCO showed up to represent the tandem models.

[NC36061]

Re: Blakesburg Aug 30-Sep 4

A Ferris-era F19 was on the field, and the rest were a mix of pre-war BC-65s and post-war BC12-Ds. No BC12-65 Deluxes this year.

[NC36061]

Re: Blakesburg Aug 30-Sep 4

Conditions ranged from very nice show-class to pretty tough-looking, but all flew in.

[NC36061]

Re: Blakesburg Aug 30-Sep 4

As we were leaving Sunday morning, this red/black clip-wing showed up. (File photo from AAA website) There was also a white/green BC-65 flying a lot the first couple of days we were there, but I didn't get a pic of it. It was painted with a Duane Cole scheme, but wasn't a clip-wing. It had the name "RUSTY" painted upside-down on the fuselage. I came up empty on finding a file photo of it online. Anyone know anything about that airplane?

Also present were not only one, but TWO, Model 20 Ranch Wagons... I thought they were Model 15s when I first found them, but the shock assembly on the gear indicates Model 20

[NC36061]

Re: Blakesburg Aug 30-Sep 4

More Model 20 sadness... First time I've seen one in person

[NC36061]

Re: Blakesburg Aug 30-Sep 4

I don't know what the story is on these, how or why they got here. There is a hangar full of projects the AAA owns, not sure why these wouldn't be in there, or sold off rather than junked.

[NC36061]

Re: Blakesburg Aug 30-Sep 4

The fly-mart yielded a perfect cast Deluxe nose bowl grill, a NOS A-9 mag switch, and a couple of pre-war low profile skull cap spinners.

Over all, it was a great trip. The weather was perfect, the field and crowd are far smaller and more manageable and relaxed than Oshkosh. You can easily walk the grounds and see everything the first part of the day, then set up your lawn chair in the shade and watch the flying.

[M Towsley]

Re: Blakesburg Aug 30-Sep 4

The red and black clip is Erik Edgren, an aerobatic pilot out of Iowa. The plane with RUSTY on it had its photo posted over on Facebook.

Thanks for the great photos!

[waltermrich]

Re: Blakesburg Aug 30-Sep 4

We did not arrive at Blakesburg until after dark on Friday , so missed a lot of the Taylorcrafts in your photos, Thanks for posting, they are some nice airplanes. It was really a great time and I encourage anyone with an antique airplane to try and attend they would not be disappointed.

[NC36061]

Re: Blakesburg Aug 30-Sep 4

We did not arrive at Blakesburg until after dark on Friday , so missed a lot of the Taylorcrafts in your photos, Thanks for posting, they are some nice airplanes. It was really a great time and I encourage anyone with an antique airplane to try and attend they would not be disappointed.

Absolutely, it easily beats Oshkosh hands-down, unless you like huge crowds, long walks and long lines, cookie-cutter acro shows, and stress. Full membership is $45 including one associate membership, plus $75 entry fee for each member and associate for the week, and another $75 camping fee for the week, so not exactly cheap, but cheaper than OSH I'm sure. Basic showers/toilets are on the campgrounds. Highly recommended.

[Mark Bowden]

Re: Blakesburg Aug 30-Sep 4

Dave, did you ever happen to ask someone about what the story is with those "-20's"? While a monster project, that pile of parts needs saving soon or its dust.
Yes, sad.

[NC36061]

Re: Blakesburg Aug 30-Sep 4

Dave, did you ever happen to ask someone about what the story is with those "-20's"? While a monster project, that pile of parts needs saving soon or its dust.
Yes, sad.

No, Brent Taylor would be the guy I suppose, but never encountered him during the week. The airplanes were way in the back of the southwest campground area, I just stumbled on them one evening while exploring. Two years ago there were a pair of Gullwing Stinsons similarly piled up behind one of the AAA buildings. Those were gone except for one wing still sitting outside. I'd guess they get donated projects and just decide they're too far gone to do anything with.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Blakesburg Aug 30-Sep 4

There IS NO SUCH THING as a Taylorcraft that is too far gone!!! Might be too expensive or too much work, but NEVER too far gone!

Hank

[waltermrich]

Just returned from the Blakesburg Antique Airplane Association Fly in , which will conclude tomorrow Monday Sept 2nd 2019, Great event with about 7 or 8 Taylorcrafts, Terry Bowden gave a forum on Thursday on Antique Aircraft and parts , which I missed all in all a great event with so many beautifully restored Antiques.