Aviation

Mansfield has a long and rich history when it comes to aviation. The first experience for Mansfielders took place in the 1850s when the first balloon was inflated in the city square. This interest in flight continues today. Mansfield had an influence with the Wright Brothers through Frank Lahm, Frank P. Lahm’s father and the Weaver family – they were instrumental in the beginning of the Wrights.

The first areoplane was seen in 1910, and the next several years saw a flurry of new and different areoplanes arrive in the city. Cal Rogers was the first to complete a coast to coast flight in 1911. Although it was not a continuous flight, it was the first. He stopped outside Mansfield to get gas, oil, and directions. The next year the Mansfield News had an aviation meet with two Curtis aeroplanes. This started interest in the city populous to purchase planes for themselves. This was the motivation to have a local airport.

In 1928 the Mansfield Airport was opened with much fanfare. The festivities included the Goodyear Blimp “Pilgrim,” Autogryo, Flying Circus WWI pilots, Chamberlin (the second person to cross the Atlantic after Lindbergh), and a Ford Tri-motor that took passengers over the city. Bud Harrington built hangers and a flying school. He was instrumental at the begging of WWII in training Navy pilots; it was the first such private training program in the country. He trained over 1,500 pilots for the Navy. There was also an effort to expand the airport to begin a staging center, in case we were attacked by the Germans or Japanese, so work on the long runway began. However, it was not finished until after the war. After the war the 164th was formed and has been in the city ever since, now known as the 179th. The Mansfield Lahm Airport still thrives and, with new investments, the future looks bright.

Other well-known Mansfield people who were in aviation were Mud Gardner, Gil Baird, Alan Tappan, Fred Haise, Willian John Pete Knight, Michael Gernhardt, and several women. To learn more about these pilots, and especially the women, visit the museum.

Frank P. Lahm

Through the generosity of the Gormans, the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building owns a second building, at 40 Park Avenue West. In the rear of this building will be the new Frank P. Lahm Aviation Museum. It will house many different artifacts, from film to uniforms, dating from 1852 through today. As you come into the museum, you will be greeted with the original uniform of Brig. General Frank P. Lahm. This uniform was the last one he wore. Behind this case are 25’ to 30’ oak cases filled with aviation history.

Frank P. Lahm was born in Mansfield in 1877. His father Frank S. Lahm wore many hats, one being that of a balloonist. He trained his son in this field, and in 1906 won the first Gordon Bennett balloon race from Paris, France to England. He flew further and faster than any of the other competitors. At the time he was a lieutenant in the US Army. Through the influence of his father, Lahm worked closely with the Wright Brothers, and in 1909 was the first military person to be a passenger on a plane. He was also the first person to be air sea rescued. With the successful flight in 1909, the Signal Corps purchased the first planes for the Army. During WWI Lahm was in the balloon corps. After the war, he designed the first all-military airport, Randolph Field, an air corps training field. His illustrious career went beyond his retirement. We are proud to call Brig. Gen. Frank P. Lahm a “Native Son.”

Aviation

Aviation

Aviation

Frank P. Lahm

The Mansfield Memorial Museum

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