PIONEER Air Mail First Flights 1916

web-catalog PIONEER Air Mail First Flights 1916

Aerodacious

(Aviation + Audacious = Aerodacious)

eMail: Aerodacious

Page PIO1916 (Revised 09/06/2008)

MILITARY EXPEDITION into MEXICO        Columbus NM

On March 9, 1916 Pancho Villa crossed the US border from Mexico attaching Columbus NM. The US 13th Cavalry retaliated and chased Villa's revolutionary band back into Mexico and continued to pursue his retreat. To support this military operation, the US used aeroplanes from the 1st Aero Squadron to bring supplies to the US troops. Soldier's mail was picked up from the US pursuing troops and returned to Columbus NM.

P-0092 160319-160420 US 13th Cavalry (Mexico)-Columbus NM 1st Aero Squadron Pilots $3,750.00

FAIR GROUNDS EXHIBITION FLIGHTS        Boise ID

The Postmaster of Boise ID established a postal sub-station at the Idaho Fair Grounds Boise ID. Patterson Aviators pilots, Al Boshek and Osbert E Williams performed mock air battles for the crowds of fair spectators. Boshek crashed on July 3, 1916 and luckily was not seriously injured. All recovered mail was taken to the post office for forwarding. Williams flew on Independence Day, July 4th circling the fair. The returned flown mail was then off-loaded and dispatched to the post office.

P-0093 160703 Fair Grounds-Boise Post Office Al Boshek & Osbert E Williams $2,250.00

P-0093a 160704 Fair Grounds-Boise Post Office Al Boshek & Osbert E Williams $2,250.00

Souvenir Card - Postmarked Elsewhere        (Not Flown)

P-0093b Fair Grounds-Boise Post Office Al Boshek & Osbert E Williams $150.00

EXPERIMENTAL AEROPLANE MAIL FLIGHT        Smithville MO ~ North Kansas MO

Authorization from the Washington DC Post Office was received authorizing mail to be flown from the Smithville Horse Show and Fair Smithville MO to North Kansas City. Patterson Aviators pilot, Al Boshek was contracted to make this fifteen mile flight but at the last minute Russell Brooks North was substituted as the aviator. Aviator North crashed on take-off severely damaging the aeroplane but escaping with only minor injuries to himself. The mail was salvaged and dispatched to the post office.

P-0094 160718 Smithville MO-North Kansas MO Russell Brooks North $6,750.00

OGEMAW COUNTY FAIR AVIATION DEMONSTRATION        West Branch MI

Authorization from the Washington DC Post Office was received authorizing mail to be flown from the Ogemaw County Fair West Branch MI. Patterson Aviator Al Boshek flew from the county fair to a point near West Branch Post Office where he dropped the mail from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and taken to the post office.

P-0095 161005 Fair Grounds-Post Office Al Boshek $450.00

Postmark Error 9161

P-0095a 611005 Fair Grounds-Post Office Al Boshek $750.00

EXPERIMENTAL AEROPLANE MAIL FLIGHT        Ithaca NY

Authorization from the Washington DC Post Office was received authorizing mail to be flown from the Fair sponsored by the Tompkins County Horticultural and Agricultural Society Ithaca NY. Aviator Frank Burnside flew from the fair to a point over Percy Field of Cornell University where he dropped the mail from the plane. The sack missed its spot landing in the nearby woods. It was finally found two days later and taken to the post office.

P-0096 161014 Fair Grounds-Cornell University Percy Field Frank H Burnside $4,500.00

NEW YORK TIMES EXPERIMENTAL AERIAL FLIGHT        Chicago IL/New York NY

Authorization from the Washington DC Post Office was received authorizing mail to be flown from Chicago IL to New York NY. This 900 mile flight was sponsored by the New York Times. Aviator Victor Carlstrom flew a Curtiss Model R biplane (named, "The New York Times") departing from the Military Aviation Field Chicago IL on November 2, 1916. An in-flight oil leak caused an emergency landing in Erie PA. After making repairs, Carlstrom flew on to Hammondsport NY where he spent the night. The next morning he took off and arrived at Governor's Island NY on November 3rd. The mail that he transported was then taken to the NY post office for cancelation.

P-0097 161102-161103 Military Aviation Field Chicago IL-Governors Island NY Victor Carlstrom $750.00

New York Times Souvenir Card

P-0097a 161102-161103 Military Aviation Field Chicago IL-Governors Island NY Victor Carlstrom $900.00

INDEX: PIONEER First Flights by year

P-0093	160703	Fair Grounds-Boise Post Office		Al Boshek & Osbert E Williams	$2,250.00
P-0093a	160704	Fair Grounds-Boise Post Office		Al Boshek & Osbert E Williams	$2,250.00