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Billy Robinson's monoplane

Billy Robinson designed and built this monoplane and its radial engine. In 1914 he set a speed and distance record with it, carrying mail from Des Moines to Kentland, Indiana. (Description taken from Grinnell in Vintage Postcards by Bill Menner)

Letter delivered by Billy Robinson

Photostatic copy of original letter delivered by Billy Robinson on his famous cross country flight from Des Moines to Kentland, Indiana on October 17, 1914. Letter is addressed to Mr. L.A. (Dr. Louis) Hopkins, Chicago, Illinois, brother of the famous…

Billy Robinson's airplane

Photograph of Billy Robinson's airplane, a single engine monoplane.

Monoplane

Postcard of Billy Robinson's monoplane positioned on grass airstrip ; open cockpit, with wire structure supporting wings.

Billy Robinson with Mac Crutchfield

Billy Robinson, early Grinnell (Iowa) aviator in center of photograph. Mac Crutchfield at right. Person at left is unknown

Billy Robinson's monoplane, sideview

Side view of Billy Robinson's monoplane. Tail has "The Grinnell Aeroplane Company Iowa" written on it.

Airplane in field with burning haystack

Man in white clothing is Mac Crutchfield. They are burning the haystack to remove it from the airfield.

Billy Robinson in biplane

Billy Robinson piloting biplane while other men refuel. Location: Lachine, Canada on October 8, 1913. Wheel base of airplane is on skids. Fuel cans nearby.

Above Chatham

Billy Robinson making a cross country flight in his biplane. Photo taken in Canada.

Billy Robinson with Canadian school children and biplane

Billy Robinson in Montreal, Canada, with a biplane built by the National Airplane Co. and Canadian school children. (Description taken from Grinnell Then and Now published by the Grinnell Herald-Register)

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