1926 Travel Air 4000 - N1499

Owner/Pilot: “Diamond Bob” Berwick

The 1926 Travel Air 4000, s/n 164 and is the oldest Travel Air in existence. It is powered by a Wright Whirlwind J6 seven cylinder radial engine rated at 235HP. The airplane was found in Ponca City, OK in a T hanger where it had been sitting for a long time because the owner had lost his health. He was reluctant to sell it to a museum and wanted someone who would keep it flying and continue to share the joy of vintage flight with others. I promised him that I would, and I really do feel strongly about sharing this wonderful experience with as many people as I can. N1499 needed a lot of TLC ( time, labor and cash). After some time in Oklahoma I flew her home to California in December 2007 and it was a cold trip! Since then she has been back through the Midwest many a time and barnstorming through Oklahoma, through the Southwest, and back to California; giving hundreds of rides along the way.