The late Robert L. Taylor, Antique Airplane Association (AAA) founder and patriarch, grew up during the golden age of aviation.
Bob was attracted to flying early in his life, when he bought a camera and began taking photographs of airplanes at a local airport. He soloed a 1941 Interstate Cadet in 1946, and this airplane (NC37381) was prominently displayed in front of the hangars at the 2020 AAA fly-in, held over Labor Day weekend at Antique Airfield (IA27) in Blakesburg, Iowa.
Bob joined the squadron heading west just shy of his 96th birthday in June 2020, and his personable presence on the flight line at the annual fly-in was greatly missed.
The Air Power Museum Gift Shop had a special “Founder’s Tribute” T-shirt available, featuring Bob’s original ad that started the AAA, and the cover image of the September 1953 Flying magazine in which the ad appeared.
The fly-in was first held at Ottumwa Regional Airport (KOTM), but Bob had always wanted an airstrip of his own, and bought 150 acres near Blakesburg in 1969. He cleared an east/west runway, and built Hangar One … and shortly thereafter, moved the fly-in to Antique Airfield. Thanks to the generosity of AAA members and volunteers, the facilities have continually evolved and improved ever since.
“Dad made the first landing at Antique Airfield on June 20, 1970, and he died on June 20, 2020, the 50th anniversary of Antique Airfield,” notes Brent Taylor, who succeeded his father as president of the Antique Airplane Association in 2015. “The whole fly-in this year was a tribute to Dad, and a validation of his life’s work to preserve aviation history and antique/classic aircraft.”
Bob’s legacy to those who love older flying machines is the thriving fruition of the motto “Keep the Antiques Flying.” Multiple generations continue to grow up within this unique antiquer community, allowing them the rare opportunity and privilege to experience airplanes from yesteryear. Come join them!
Bob Taylor is a OAO guy. Because of his dreams and actions, we have a huge collection of flyable and flown antique aircraft in this nation and the world. And of course there is Antique Airfield at Blakesburg, a mecca for old airplanes over Labor Day Weekends through the years, including 2020.
Bob always had time and information to share with the professional writer or the budding author. And share he did concerning aviation history and a tremendous amount factual information about any airplane. Much he could share without looking through his extensive files. And copy and share this information he DID!!!
Bob and i many telecons over the years, and, since we talked about anything and everything, the content of those call vanished the moment we hung up
i do and will forever miss those long calls. I treasure knowing Bob from the early 1960s when Don and I flew our Cessna 140 to Otttumwa and later Blakesburg, with our aircraft restorations.
Bob was a great guy! He will be forever missed and greatly appreciated by his avid following. An aerial pied piper with a long string of friends and airplane nuts following him forever. And don’t forget the legacy of his descendants.
Sparky’s article says it all. Here is a Brent Taylor video that also says it all.
https://youtu.be/xsMC4xw9QGI