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Keep the Antiques Flying and the Oil Drippin' 2020
Dana Brejakova, Contributing Writer & Photographer

Question: What is the ultimate celebration of the golden years of aviation, navigating the traffic pattern visual only (no radio), and forever engine oil dripping?

I know, I know! It is Antique Aircraft Association Fly-In in Blakesburg, Iowa!

Every year over Labor Day weekend, many antique aircraft leave their hangars to show up at one of the most genuine and laid-back fly-ins in the country. Their destination is Antique Airfield in Iowa which is a rustic grass airport where pilots navigate the traffic pattern just like it was done in the 1930s and '40s. Yes, that golden era of aviation where pilots were using standard pattern procedures, constant visual scan, and spotting the ground for instructions given by the flagmen.

The ground was shaking and the grass was flying - Beechcraft Staggerwing and Howard DGA (Mr. Mulligan) taxiing on the grass airstrip, getting ready for takeoff. Loud and powerful birdies!
Red or green? Okay to land or do another round? Better pay good attention!

With no big crowds, no brand promos, no grandstands, no hundreds of vendors, it is more than clear that the whole concept of this fly-in is very simple but no less genuine. Just come, fly as often as you can, enjoy the spectacular views, and have a good time. Even though the 2020 event did not look too favorable due to the COVID19 zombie apocalypse, the Antique Aircraft Association went forward and did a great job securing a safe and well-organized fly-in where the visitors could admire the timeless elegance of antique aircraft while being responsible keeping the good old hygiene routine.

And Gosh, many birds came this year! According to Antique Airfield, there were 274 antique/classic/warbird/neo-classic & homebuilt aircraft! Antique aviation enthusiasts could admire numerous Wacos, Bückers, Stinsons, Stearmans, Luscombes, Pitcairns, Fairchilds, Cessnas, and Cubs, many that could only be seen at this Fly-In.

Proud to be an American! Cessna 195 beautifully holding the American flag. Who is a good bird?
Happy bright colors in the row of Cubs as far as my eyes could see.
An interesting angle of a Great Lakes biplane with a nosy WACO in the background.
Picturesque paint jobs in a row of WACOs.
What a cute little car to cruise around the field! Definitely a charmer and a lens magnet.

After I scanned the whole playground and observed the birds I needed to find a good strategic spot to set a base camp for the photoshoot, ideally by the runways. The weather was beautiful and the sun was burning. Luckily enough, I found a wonderful empty spot that even offered a shade. Yay! All systems were ready, I was comfy, and soon enough, the birds started showing off.

Mr. Mulligan - a modified Howard DGA (Darn Good Airplane), a replica of the famous 30's race plane flown by pilot Bevo Howard - it was loud and wild.
The grass was flying everywhere, Mr. Mulligan taking off, almost airborne.
Mr. Mulligan airborne doing all kinds of fly-bys having fun.
What a rewarding angle of two beautiful Stearmans getting ready for takeoff. The elegant blackbird - 450 Stearman shielding the red Junior Speedmail Stearman.
The two Stearmans decided to fly in a very nice formation. The whole scene was mesmerizing. The birds slowed down and passed the rustic airfield in such smooth motion I nearly forgot to press the release button on my camera. I was staring at them almost hypnotized. Also, nicely performed social distancing there! LOL
My two favorites! 450 Stearman and Junior Speedmail Stearman passing side by side again while the 450 Stearman released smoke - a magical feature for photographers and exciting addition for the spectators. Don't we all love it when the smoke is released? YES, we do!
450 Stearman and Stearman Junior Speedmail doing another pass. Thank you, aviators, for flying this much! This time, I decided to try something else and took the shot against the golden cornfield.
A full view on Stearman Junior Speedmail. A gorgeous red bird.
Next bird that stole my attention was this beautiful Stinson 108-3 Station Wagon. Charming post-war bird.
Who is that yellow canary bird there? Culver Cadet in a bright yellow color getting ready for takeoff.
What would AAA Fly-In be without a classic WWII military trainer - blue-yellow Stearman PT-17?
How about this stunning WACO (World Aeronautical Corporation) UEC Cabin biplane? Classy and elegant bird.
Guess who? An unmistakable shape of the wings gave this bird away immediately. Beautiful Stinson Reliant Gullwing just landed and I waited for the right moment to get that typical gull-like wing shape in the photo. Stunning black and red paint job highlighted the bird's timeless beauty in such effortless way.
WACO cabin biplane happily roaring above my head.
Another red beauty here. Hatz biplane gracefully taking off.
Hatz biplane airborne.
My favorite - 450 Stearman. This time cruising alone. However, the smoke was on again! Awesome.
Loud and powerful bird - Beechcraft Staggerwing landing while almost touching the flagmen's heads. I love my little games with angles and perspectives.
Wait a minute, I remember this looker from last year! Glad to see Bücker Jungmann warbirds represented again.
Eye and ear-catching squadron. Meyers OTW followed by Beechcraft Staggerwing with WACO taxiing in the background.

To sum up those few days, it was absolutely wonderful to see such a handsome number of antique aircraft at the field and flying. And this year the AAA family did an outstanding job keeping the antiques happily roaring in the sky. As the note on a hangar wall at the airfield says, "Keep the Antiques flying!" Well, they were flying on Labor Day 2020, indeed! A toast to AAA aviation family and see you next year, guys!

By Dana Brejakova, Contributing Writer & Photographer
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