VINTAGE AIRCRAFT                     

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History 

The Iowa Aviation Museum opened in May, 1990. It is the only airplane museum in the state that focuses on Iowa's aviation history.

The Museum had its beginning with a gift of eight aircraft from the John and Yvonne Schildberg Airplane Collection. In 1992, in memory of her husband, Yvonne presented the museum with a 1928 Curtiss Robin.

 

                                   Aircraft in the Museum Collection

1941 deHavilland Tiger Moth, Canadian Model

This Tiger Moth was built in Canada under license

to the English deHavilland Company. Adaptations were made for the weather conditions in Canada. Some of the changes include a canopy over the cockpit, pins around the oil tank to snap on an insulated blanket, and the landing gear moved forward 4" so it wouldn't dump on its nose in the snow. It is powered by a Gypsy Major 1C engine rated at 130-140h.p. It was used as a primary trainer in Canada.


1946 Piper J-3

The Piper J-3 is a classic American flyer that was simple to maintain and easy to fly. Many pilots have received their training in a J-3. The original 65 h.p. Continental engine was changed to a 90 h.p. There are several sets of landing gear for the J-3, including rough terrain tires, floats and skis. The J-3 is maintained in flying condition by the museum. Rides are available.


1941 Aetna-Timm Aerocraft

This WWII trainer was built in 1941 by Wally Timm of Glendale, California. Only six were built to compete for a military contract which was never awarded to Timm. This airplane is Serial #4 and is the only one still in existence.


1929 Northrup Primary Glider

This glider was built completely of wood except for the metal control stick. It was a slow glider in order to teach rudimentary flying. Because of the short distance to the pedals, it was designed for young persons.

Gliders such as this would use automobiles in order to gain momentum to lift. The instructor could run alongside and yell out instructions. When it came to a hill it would be detached.


1941 deHavilland Tiger Moth, Australian Model

The Australian Tiger Moth was built in Australia under license to the deHavilland Company in England. This airplane has an open cockpit, tandem seats, no brakes and a skid under the tail section. The struts are made of wood. Cables for operating the tail section are on the exterior of the fuselage. It was used as a primary trainer.



1937 Piper J-2

The Piper J-2 was the first airplane built with the Piper name. Pipers became the most successful light airplanes between WWI and WWII. The J-2 weighs only 660 pounds empty and 1000 pounds with fuel, oil and occupants. It has a 2-place cabin piloted from the rear seat. It has the original 40h.p. 4-cylinder Continental engine. Original models did not have brakes. Since this one was flown in modern times, brakes were added for safety reasons. Piper discontinued making J-2s in 1937.


1928 Curtiss Robin

This 1928 Curtiss Robin is the oldest one known to exist. It was the third one built at the Curtiss Robertson Airplane Plant in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. It is a 3-place airplane designed for 2 passengers and piloted from the front seat. In the process of being restored, it took eight years to locate some original parts. It is a well-designed aircraft that was built to reduce the surplus of OX-5 engines from WWI. It is a slow flyer at 85 mph. It weighs 1450 pounds and has a wing span of 41 feet. Many Robins were used in the late 1920s and early 1930s to set endurance and altitude records.


1946 Taylorcraft, BC12

The Taylorcraft was donated by the Livingston family in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Aden "Bite" Livingston is a member of the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame and played an important part in the development of aviation in Iowa. 

 

Other airplanes and gliders are on display at the
Iowa Aviation Museum in Greenfield, Iowa.
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