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Travel Air D4D, 1929. Creator: Travel Air Company
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Travel Air D4D, 1929. Creator: Travel Air Company
Three-place, open-cockpit biplane with red, white and blue paint scheme. Wright J-6-7 (Wright R-760-ET), 240 hp engine. From 1931 to 1953, Andy Stinis performed skywriting in this airplane for Pepsi-Cola. During those years, skywriting with smoke was a premier form of advertising, and Pepsi-Cola used it more than any other company. Pepsi-Cola acquired the airplane in 1973 and used it for air show and advertising duty until retiring it in 2000. Peggy Davies and Suzanne Oliver, the worlds only active female skywriters since 1977, performed in it. The Pepsi Skywriter is one of more than 1, 200 Travel Air open-cockpit biplanes built between 1925 and 1930. Popular and rugged, Travel Airs earned their keep as utility workhorses and record breakers. The design was the first success for three giants of the general aviation industry, Lloyd Stearman, Walter Beech, and Clyde Cessna, who in 1925 established the Travel Air Manufacturing Company in Wichita, Kansas
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Media ID 23871221
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Aeroplane Air And Space Museum Aircraft Airplane Aviation Biplane Craft Aircraft Flight Nasm National Air And Space Museum Pepsi Pepsi Cola Plane Aerobatic Aerobatics Air Transport
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This print showcases the iconic Travel Air D4D, a remarkable three-place, open-cockpit biplane that exudes a patriotic charm with its vibrant red, white, and blue paint scheme. Created by the esteemed Travel Air Company in 1929, this aircraft was powered by a formidable Wright J-6-7 engine boasting an impressive 240 horsepower. From 1931 to 1953, the sky became its canvas as Andy Stinis skillfully performed awe-inspiring skywriting displays for Pepsi-Cola. During those years, skywriting using smoke was considered the pinnacle of advertising techniques and Pepsi-Cola utilized this unique form more than any other company. In 1973, Pepsi-Cola acquired this historic airplane and continued to employ it for air shows and promotional purposes until its retirement in 2000. Notably, Peggy Davies and Suzanne Oliver held the distinction of being the world's only active female skywriters since 1977 and they had their exhilarating performances aboard this very aircraft. The Pepsi Skywriter is just one among over 1,200 Travel Air open-cockpit biplanes constructed between 1925 and 1930. Renowned for their popularity and durability, these Travel Airs served as versatile workhorses while also setting numerous records. The design of this exceptional aircraft marked a significant triumph for three influential figures in general aviation history: Lloyd Stearman, Walter Beech, and Clyde Cessna. United under the banner of the Travel Air Manufacturing Company established in Wichita Kansas in 1925; their collaboration birthed an enduring legacy within the industry.
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