Model
Object number2009.26.1
Made by
George Lostetter
Manufacturer
All American Aviation
Mediumplastics; wood; paint; paper; cotton; ink
Credit LineGift of George Lostetter
DescriptionAir Mail model.Dimensions7 x 10.5 x 11 in. (17.8 x 26.7 x 27.9 cm)InscriptionsAddress labels attached to longer sides with donor's personal address.
Stickers on both sides of tail: "NC21130" ; "AM49 / AIR MAIL / AIR EXPRESS".
Stickers on wings: "A.A.A NC 21130".
Historical NotesModel showing a plane during an air mail pickup/delivery. All-American Aviation model made by the donor, George Lostetter, who worked for the company. All American Aviation operated out of Allegheny Airport in Latrobe, PA, from 1939 to 1949 and was the only non-stop air mail service of its kind in the country. Based on a patent made by West Virginia dentist Doc Adams and bought by Richard C. Dupont, the system was made operational to provide mail service to rural communities in the states of PA, WV, NY, OH and DW. The service was no longer needed after 1949 for several reasons, amongst them an increase in post office efficiency and road networks. Collected for inclusion in the exhibit, "Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation".Label TextIn the late 1930’s West Virginia dentist, Dr. Lytle S. Adams, developed an innovative system of air mail pick-up that enabled a plane to drop and pick up mail from rural communities without landing the plane. With this technology mail could be delivered to the many small towns and farms that lacked airports and serviceable roads. Richard C. DuPont bought the technology and opened the one and only air mail hook pick-up service out of Allegheny Airport, with the first pick-up/delivery to Latrobe, Pa. His company, All American Aviation, operated from 1939 to 1949 under an exclusive contract with the post office. The expansion of roads, trucking, and airports, and increased post office efficiency made the service unnecessary by the 1950s. All American then focused on passenger service. After several name changes and mergers, All American became US Airways.
Subjects
On View
On view
c. 1950
Westinghouse
1917-1918
1962