Arnold Jennings

Alexis Park Inn & Suites

1165 S. Riverside Drive

Iowa City, Iowa 52246

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Arnold Jennings

Arnold Jennings is the grandson of W.J. Benjamin -- the farmer who opened his pasture to early airplanes, starting what would later become Iowa City Municipal Airport.

In 1997, Mr. Jennings sent Bill Tinkler the following series of historic photographs, taken at his grandfather's farm in Iowa City during the 1920s. Bill is a renowned expert on the history of the U.S. Airmail system, and in 2004 he was kind enough to share these amazing photos with us.

I have included all of Mr. Jenning's original notes, where available. (Click the thumbnails to view a larger picture.)

A Tin Lizzy in Iowa City "I remember my Uncle Don taking me through this Ford Tri-motor. I was impressed by its being covered in "corrugated" sheet iron. Believe I was 3 or 4 years old at the time, so this would be 1927 or '28. I thought the wicker seats, however, were pretty cheap. They were taking people up for rides on that day, and did a pretty brisk business. I wanted to go in the worst way. I think the rides were $5.00 -- too expensive for my uncle and me."

Accident Aftermath "I believe this is a DH-4 but I'm no sure it was a mail plane. I presume this is the type of damage from a ground loop."

"I'm not sure this was a mail plane, but if it were I wonder if the history of the plane and "Tex" could be found from the number "274" found on the rudder? Note the three vertical stripes on the rudder -- were these original markings on Army surplus planes that had been sold to private individuals?"

An Early Airshow in Iowa City "The following five pictures are from an airshow held at my grandfather's farm around 1928. This picture shows a plane lined up for departure. Note my grandfather's barn and radio tower in background."

"This picture shows another plane in front of the radio tower. Note the windmill over the left wing."

"Another picture taken at the same event."

"I believe the tower in the background supports a radio antenna. Note the age of the cars parked behind."

It's hard to see, but the barn is behind the left wing, and there is a mother and two kids watching the pilot climb into the cockpit.

Barnstormer Giving Rides "This Curtis Jenny is obviously being used for civilian purposes -- giving airplane rides -- but still retains, I believe, its original Army markings. Note the vertical stripes on the rudder and I believe there are roundels on the upper wing."

"I have no idea the date of this picture."

"Date is about 1925. My uncle Don gave me this picture when I was about 9 or 10 years old and he said it was the first plane to land in Iowa City." (Editor's Note: Uncle Don was incorrect.)

Another Landing Accident This thumbnail shows pictures 1, 2, and 3 of a 6-photo sequence, showing the aftermath of a landing accident.

"I think this is an interesting sequence of pictures showing how they sometimes got a plane back on its wheels again after a mishap."

Note: This is pictures 4, 5, and 6 of the 6 photo sequence.

An Army Bomber Comes to Iowa City "I believe this one has twin rudders. It looks something like the Martin M-2 bomber but there are differences, particularly in the struts and landing gear. It think my uncle took my up to see this plane. If so, than this picture was taken in 1927 or 1928."

Mail Planes that Carried Passengers "This would appear to be an early "enclosed" passenger plane as well as an airmail plane. The fuselage and wings appear to be covered with corrugated aluminum. The pilot sits 'half in' and 'half out' of the plane. Note the windsock in background of 2nd picture."

"Doing engine work on a DH-4."

The First Hangar in Iowa City is Destroyed "Sometimes they even cracked up the hangar! Actually a windstorm did this to one of the first -- if not THE first -- hangar built on my grandfather's farm."