Pitcairn PA-8 Mailwing

Built by Harold Pircairn in 1931 here at Pircairn Field. Designed to carry 1000 lb of mail for the US postal service. Series was PA-5 (1927), PA-6 (1928), PA-7 (1929), PA-8 (1930) with different engines. PA-8 used the Wright J-6 engine; ATC 364.

In 1931, Pitcairn Aviation built the PA-8 Mailwing that is currently on public display at the museum. Shortly after being certified air-worthy in 1931, it was issued the identification mark assignment (#10751) and sold to Eastern Air Transport. Over the next 60 years, this aircraft had multiple owners, before it landed back into the hands of the Pitcairn family. In 1992, Harold Pitcairn’s son Stephen, purchased the aircraft and relocated it to his hangers in Robbinsville, NJ. On June 9, 1998, after a full restoration completed by Mike Posey, President of Posey Brothers, Inc, the aircraft flew again. The aircraft continued to fly until August 2012, when the Pitcairn family gifted this Mailwing to the museum.

Photo 16, Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum, aug 2014

Pitcairn PA-8 Mailwing

Photo 23, Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum, Aug 2014