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web-catalog        CAM Contract Air Mail First Flights CAM-28

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Page ccCAM028 (Revised 11/04/2007)

Background: The Air Mail Act of 1925 (Kelly Act) authorized the postmaster general to contract for domestic airmail service with commercial air carriers. It also set airmail rates and the level of cash subsidies to be paid to companies that carried the mail. By transferring airmail operations to private companies, the government effectively would help create the commercial aviation industry. Various routes were designated and contracts for carrying the mail over these routes were then awarded to many different private air service companies. The Contract Air Mail routes became known as CAM's.

CAM-28: CAM-28 was awarded to Robertson Aircraft Corporation. RAC was founded in 1921 by William B Robertson with his brother, Frank. They purchased large amounts of aeroplane engines and parts at government surplus auctions. CAM-28 air service was inaugurated on May 1, 1929 between Omaha NE and Saint Louis MO. Postal mail covers carried on the inaugural flight between each point of landing and take-off are collectible and are known as CAM-28 covers.
CAM-2
        Robertson used DeHavilland DH-4 bi-planes with Liberty engines for this initial May 1, 1929 air service. The DH-4 bi-planes were re-built from government surplus parts by Robertson Aircraft Corporation.

28W1 290501 St Louis MO RAC WJ Hunter & CW Rousch $4.50
28W2 290501 Kansas City MO RAC WJ Hunter & CW Rousch $4.50
28W2F 290501 Kansas City MO RAC WJ Hunter & CW Rousch $262.50
28E3 290501 Omaha NE RAC WJ Hunter & CW Rousch $4.50
28E3F 290501 Omaha NE RAC WJ Hunter & CW Rousch $22.50
28E2 290501 Kansas City MO RAC WJ Hunter & CW Rousch $7.50
28E2F 290501 Kansas City MO RAC WJ Hunter & CW Rousch $262.50

Day Flight
R28E5D 291001 to St Joseph MO by westbound plane RAC $7.50
28W4D 291001 St Joseph MO RAC FH Rust $7.50
R28W5D 291001 to St Joseph MO by eastbound plane RAC $7.50
28E4D 291001 St Joseph MO RAC WJ Hunter $4.50

Night Flight
R28E5N 291001 to St Joseph MO by westbound plane RAC $15.00
28W4N 291001 St Joseph MO RAC AR Swanson $15.00
R28W5N 291001 to St Joseph MO by eastbound plane RAC $15.00
28E4N 291001 St Joseph MO RAC FH Rust $15.00

INDEX: First Flights by CAM Route #

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

INDEX: First Flights by AM Route #

33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

INDEX: First Flights by Experimental Route #

1001 1002

INDEX: First Flights by AM Route #

49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65
66 67 68 69 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 84
86 87 88 90 91 93 94 96 97 98 99 100 101 103 105
106 107 111 119 120 121 139 140 141 143 144 148 172

INDEX: First Flights by Air Taxi Services Route #

288 289 290 291 292 293 295 296 297 298
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