The 8th annual National Biplane Fly-In proved to be a big attraction at Freeman Field in Junction City on Saturday.

One of the coordinators Marvin Hornbostel estimated the total for the day would be between 100 and 150 planes would be involved in the event, with pilots bringing them from across the country. He believed the oldest plane in the show was a 1929 Waco.

For Hornbostel the older planes are a highlight. “The Waco and the Stearman’s around here, they go way back. ” He added it doesn’t make any difference if a plane has two wings or one wing. “It’s been around a long time. It still draws interest from the people in the community and the pilots. ”

One of the pilots in the Fly-In, Dave Allen of Albert Colorado said it was a Waco Straight Wing. “It’s been completely rebuilt. It was all but destroyed in a 1941 crop dusting accident. We began the restoration in the mid 90’s and finished it in 2002.” Allen said they built the wings and a fuselage, tail feathers, landing gear and engine mount.  Allen said the plane is ensured for $125,000.

The plane was kept in Florida over the winter and flown to Junction City from there before it is flown on to Colorado.

There was a good turnout from the public to view the planes. There was also a Chris Cakes pancake feed and the Geary County Historical Society served lunch at the Fly-In.