Pietenpol Loading
Here’s a sneak preview of our new (old) Pietenpol Air Camper. On Thursday, we disassembled it at New Richmond Regional Airport (KRNH) and trucked it to Brodhead Airport. It is reassembled already, and we’re fixing a few minor squawks before we fly.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Lights, camera, action! We’re creating some videos and other cool surprises, so you can “visit” our museum online from the comfort and safety of your own home! What airplanes, artifacts, or museum adventures would you most enjoy seeing more of?
R.L. “Bob” Taylor
A profound loss to the antique airplane community. Blue skies and tailwinds R.L. “Bob” Taylor.
Pietenpol Condition Inspection
Yesterday, we completed the condition inspection on our latest acquisition. Gary Baglien has donated this original Pietenpol Air Camper to the Kelch Aviation Museum, and we are in the process of bringing it from New Richmond, Wis. to Brodhead. This ship was built in 1936-37 by Bernard Pietenpol himself. Gary
Good News & Bad News
Good news: Our new landscaping and Hydro Seed held up nicely to the heavy rains this week. Bad news: Some thoughtless person decided to ignore the orange cones and drive through it all. Our security camera got a partial license plate from the culprit and the Green County Sheriff is
We Have Grass!
The grading is done and the grass seed is down around the new hangar. Let’s hope Mother Nature continues to cooperate!
New Landscaping Underway
Mother Nature finally relented and our landscaping is underway around the new museum hangar. A new driveway and parking area are in on the east side, and grading backfill is under way in preparation for a lot of grass seed! Thanks to Kranig Excavating Inc. of Albany, Wis. for the
Fairchild-Caminez Engine Moves to the New Hangar
Today, we moved one of the rarest items in our collection to the new hangar; this Fairchild-Caminez cam engine. Forget what you learned in engineering school, this radial has an even number of cylinders, not an odd number like every other radial engine. A cam drive mechanism converted the motion
Amelia Earhart Across the North Atlantic
On May 20-21st, 1932, Amelia Earhart, flying a Lockheed Vega, became the first woman to make a solo flight across the North Atlantic. She took off from Harbour Grace in Newfoundland, and landed in Derry, Northern Ireland, 14 hours 54 minutes later. Here she poses with her red Vega shortly
Pandemic Post Office
At this time, we’re all relying so much on airmail, and yet it’s barely 100 years old! On this day in 1918, the USA Post Office made the first scheduled airmail trip between New York and Washington, D.C. Here’s some fun original newsreel footage of that important day! Keep an