Travel Air Collection

Travel Air Aircraft List

1928 Travel Air 4000

WAAAM's 1928 Travel Air 4000 takes flight with Mt. Adams in the background.

Acquired with funds from Terry Brandt with special thanks to Dan Lanning.

Engine: Wright J-4-B, 200 HP

The Travel Air 4000 was introduced in early 1926, powered with a Wright Aeronautical J-4 Whirlwind radial engine and “elephant ear” ailerons. Walter Beech, flying a J-4-powered Travel Air 4000, took First Place in the 1926 Ford Air Tour. A few other famous pilots of 4000’s were Braniff Airways founder Paul Braniff, cowboy actor Ken Maynard, actor Wallace Beery and Billy Parker of Phillips Petroleum, who was also the builder of WAAAM’s Curtiss Pusher. The WAAAM Travel Air 4000 is powered by what is likely the last flying example of the Wright J-4 Whirlwind engine.