About 1948 Jim Rutledge and Fidelis Miltenberger acquired from Ed Koch a Fairchild KR-34 open cockpit bi-plane powered by a 165 hp Comet engine.
Many old-timers were saddened to see Minnie Johnson sell her much loved Aeronca C-3.
Kenneth Hager, a former test pilot for Kreider-Reasoner and Fairchild, based his J-3 Cub and later his Taylorcraft at Mexico Farms. Kenneth was a former Air Force instructor, specializing in instrument flying, during WW II. Hager used his airplane to fly to the southern part of the US to purchase produce and fruit, especially bananas, for his Hager’s Fruit Market, located in the Narrows west of Cumberland on US Route 40.
Holmes Hinkle, a long time well known pilot also based his J-3 Cub and later his Piper Family Cruiser at Mexico Farms. He had formerly owned the vintage E-2 Taylor Cub acquired from Bernie Miltenberger. During WW II Hinkle generously let several local pilots fly the E-2 during their leave time. Hinkle was the consummate story teller and a happy individual that was a joy to know.
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Wings Over Cumberland 