90th Anniversary of the Laird Swallow

Here’s an event taking place today at the Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita, KS.

Quoted from http://www.kansasaviationmuseum.org

90th Anniversary of the Laird Swallow

Thursday, April 8th
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Post World War I Jennies quickly became a favorite, inexpensive plane utilized for both commercial and civilian purposes. But it was recognized by Wichita Airplane Company financier “Jake” Moellendick that a more powerful, adaptable plane was needed. So he brought pilot and plane designer Matty Laird to Wichita and formed the E.M. Laird Airplane Company.

Laird designed a plane that resembled the Jenny and utilized the OX-5 engine as the Jenny did and dubbed it the Air Tractor. On April 8th, 1920, the company tested the plane for the first time. Local hotelier William Lassen attended the test flight and, looking up at the graceful craft said, “It flies like a Swallow.” Laird quickly changed the name to the Laird Swallow.

The Swallow is noted as the first production aircraft in Wichita and some 100 were built that first year. The Kansas Aviation Museum celebrates the 90th anniversary of the first flight of the Laird Swallow with the completion of its very own Swallow, hand-crafted by highly skilled Kansas Aviation Museum volunteers over the past three years. Join us in this celebration as we recognize the amazing aviation heritage of the Air Capital of the World.

This event is free and open to the public.

3350 South George Washington Blvd., Wichita, KS 67210	316.683.9242
The Kansas Aviation Museum is an IRS 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. © Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita, Kansas, USA