General History

Personal History

Lloyd Stearman, Clyde Cessna and Walter Beech formed the Travel Air Manufacturing Company in 1924 in Wichita, Kansas.  Their first effort was the Travel Air 1000, which was designed along the lines of the Curtiss Jenny.  A later model, the Travelair 2000, was built with horn balanced control surfaces that were copied from the famous Fokker D-VII from World War I.  Because of the resemblance, it was used in many war movies made in the 1930’s and was known as the Wichita Fokker.  In 1929, this aircraft, the Model 4000, was introduced and is similar in design to the Model 2000 but without the balanced surfaces.  After the last model, the 6000, was built, the Curtiss-Wright Corporation bought the company in 1930.  Stearman, Cessna and Beech would go on to contribute much to American aviation history with their own individual companies.

This aircraft was built in 1930 and was restored by Kelly Mason in Washington with a lot of  attention to detail.  It was acquired by Kermit in 1996.  Due to the long distance, the aircraft was shipped back to Florida where it was re-assembled to fly at Fantasy of Flight.  It utilizes a Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine.  It was this type engine that powered the Spirit of St. Louis and Lindbergh across the Atlantic. 

Kermit Comment

In 1997, this aircraft was used by the U.S. Postal Service to help commemorate the first day issue of a series of airplane stamps.  With the local Postmaster on board, I delivered the first ever airmail in the history of Polk City; probably the last as well.