As plans to attend Blakesburg began to formulate, Stearman owner Dale Harlan found he was unable to attend.  Offering me his Stearman for the trip, I called Walt and he wasted no time making it to Northeastern Ohio to make the trip to Blakesburg with me.  It's a good friend who offers his Stearman for a trip he can't go on.

The start of the trip - lifelong friends Jim Baker (on the wing) and Walt Dorlac.  Two airline pilots in a Stearman N2S.........  Scary.

Jim, suited up.

Ready to go.

Along the way, after his checkout, Walt is now a Stearman pilot - Deshler Ohio (7D6).

"The great Wally Pepper"

Fuel stop at Dwight, Ill.

Shortly after leaving Dwight, a map decided to leave the cocpit.  What remains can be seen on the tail wire.

Last time Walt saw this map, there was more of it to navigate with!

Sunrise at Blakesburg.

Jim taking off at Blakesburg.

Jim flies the N2S for a photo shoot.  Walt is flying Stan Lindholm's Cessna 170 while Stan does his magic with the camera.

Another shot.

Walt flies us home.

After stopping for the night, we awoke for an early start home.  We had stopped the night before just short of home.  Weather was moving in and the sun was setting.  We had a great hangar to stay in on a small Ohio grass strip.