Will Travel Throughout Midwest
The 2008 American Barnstormers Tour
will once again showcase as many as 20 meticulously restored
vintage aircraft from the 1920s and 1930s in an exceptional
collection of airplanes and aviators.
The nostalgic salute to the daring young men and women who
ventured across America during the 1920’s seeking fame and
fortune in their biplanes, dubbed "Barnstormers," will journey
through America’s Heartland on a nine-city tour from June 15
through June 30, 2008.
Admission is free and these rare aircraft can be seen at the
following cities:
- June 15-16 Iowa City, IA (IOW)
- June 17-18 Ames, IA (AMW)
- June 19-20 Council Bluff, IA (CBF)
- June 21-22 Hastings, NE (HSI)
- June 23-24 Great Bend, KS (GBD)
- June 25-26 Wichita, KS (AAO)
- June 27 Emporia KS (EMP) morning only- refueling
- June 27-28 Lee’s Summit, MO (LXT)
- June 29-30 Jefferson City, MO (JEF)
Each afternoon, the aircraft will take to the skies for the
"Barnstormers Parade of Flight" with master of ceremonies, the
legendary "Mr. Travel Air,": Frank Rezich. Frank will entertain the
crowd with his unique announcing style while they hear tall tales
of barnstorming and learn the history of each biplane as the pilots
perform overhead.
Spectators may also experience the thrill of open cockpit flight
for themselves and go barnstorming in a beautifully restored Travel
Air or New Standard vintage biplane. Biplane rides will be
available daily weather permitting. All barnstormers will
participate in recreating the era with period costumes, aircraft
signage, historical information, and vintage props.
"These aren’t airplanes, they’re Time Machines,"
said tour organizer Clay Adams. "Our tour gives people from all
over the country the chance to travel back in time and experience
the same sights, sounds, and excitement they would have felt some
80 years ago as they looked out across the fields and saw the
Barnstormers on the horizon."
The American Barnstormers Tour was born under the wing of an
antique Travel Air biplane, as a group of friends and vintage
airplane aficionados began to talk of resurrecting the barnstorming
tours of the 1920s, where many local citizens would see their first
airplane up close, or perhaps spend a few dollars for their first
flight. Tour organizers saw an opportunity to give visitors from
all backgrounds a unique vantage point to connect the past with the
present.
The period between the end of World War I and the United States'
entry into World War II is remembered as “The Golden Age of
Aviation,” and it truly was. Barnstorming tours, trophy
races, and record-setting flights all captured the public’s
attention as they raced to see the daring flocks of birdman, and
take their first flight in an open cockpit airplane.
Tour aircraft will be on display from approximately 11:00 am to
6:00 pm, weather permitting. Biplane rides are available for $50.00
per passenger.
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