Bellanca Airfield Museum

Bellanca Airfield Museum Giuseppe Mario Bellanca (or GM) immigrated from Italy in 1911 and continued his passion for aircraft design here in the United States. Please: become a member!

Friends of Bellanca Airfield, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of Bellanca aircraft manufacturing in New Castle, Delaware. His aircraft achieved numerous endurance and efficiency records, and his plane Columbia (shown at left) was Charles Lindbergh's first choice for a Trans-Atlantic crossing. Lindbergh was unable to secure the plane, but 2 weeks after that f

irst Trans-Atlantic flight Columbia was flown non-stop from New York to Berlin (3,911 miles). In 1931, Bellanca's Miss Veedol was the first plane to fly non-stop across the Pacific from Japan to Washington State (4,500 miles, shown at right). In 1928, Bellanca and Henry B. duPont built an airfield, aircraft plant, and service hangar in New Castle, Delaware. Located off Route 273 near the Delaware River, the plant produced approximately 3000 aircraft before closing in 1954. FoBA volunteers are restoring the 1935 Bellanca Airfield service hangar, owned by the Trustees of The New Castle Common. Interested individuals may contact FOBA by email at [email protected] for more information or membership data.

The flight was particularly significant because Hillig became one of the first passengers to cross the Atlantic by airpl...
09/02/2026

The flight was particularly significant because Hillig became one of the first passengers to cross the Atlantic by airplane. The pair endured difficult weather and mechanical challenges during the journey, but successfully reached Denmark on June 26, 1931. Their achievement added another important chapter to the rapidly developing era of long-distance aviation.

Holger Hoiriis and Otto Hillig were aviation pioneers who made a daring transatlantic flight in June 1931. Hoiriis, a Da...
09/02/2026

Holger Hoiriis and Otto Hillig were aviation pioneers who made a daring transatlantic flight in June 1931. Hoiriis, a Danish-born pilot, and Hillig, a German-born photographer and aviation enthusiast, flew a Bellanca J-300 named Liberty from Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, to Copenhagen, Denmark. Their flight covered approximately 3,500 miles and took about 32 hours.

And on this day September 2 1931Holger Hoiriis & Otto Hillig ''Liberty'' Transatlantic Flight visit Bellanca!
09/02/2026

And on this day September 2 1931

Holger Hoiriis & Otto Hillig ''Liberty'' Transatlantic Flight visit Bellanca!

Because of the problems with the Bellanca, Papană’s planned New York–Bucharest flight never took place in the aircraft. ...
09/02/2026

Because of the problems with the Bellanca, Papană’s planned New York–Bucharest flight never took place in the aircraft. The project eventually ended after disagreements with Bellanca, and the airplane remained in the United States. It later became a racing aircraft and competed in the Bendix Trophy. The Bellanca was photographed at Floyd Bennett Field on October 26, 1937, providing an interesting record of Papană’s ambitious attempt to establish a new aviation link between the United States and Romani

Captain Alexandru Papană and the New York–Bucharest Flight, 1937–1938In 1937, Romanian aerobatic champion Captain Alexan...
09/02/2026

Captain Alexandru Papană and the New York–Bucharest Flight, 1937–1938
In 1937, Romanian aerobatic champion Captain Alexandru Papană planned a spectacular flight from New York to Bucharest to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Charles Lindbergh’s historic transatlantic flight. A special three-engine Bellanca 28-92 was built for the project and named “Alba Iulia 1918” (YR-AHA), honoring Romania’s unification in 1918. The aircraft was designed for long-distance flying and was powered by two 250-horsepower Menasco engines and a 420-horsepower Ranger engine. Papană conducted test flights in 1937, but the aircraft experienced serious engine and performance problems.

On this day September 1 1937!
09/02/2026

On this day September 1 1937!

On this day August 31 1910Glenn Curtiss crosses Lake Erie: Pioneer aviator Glenn Curtiss flew from Euclid Beach near Cle...
09/01/2026

On this day August 31 1910

Glenn Curtiss crosses Lake Erie: Pioneer aviator Glenn Curtiss flew from Euclid Beach near Cleveland to Cedar Point, Ohio—a distance of about 60 miles. The flight took 1 hour 18 minutes and established a world record for distance flown over water

On this day in 1944!
08/31/2026

On this day in 1944!

On this day in August 1930!
08/31/2026

On this day in August 1930!

On this day in 1930!Bellanca planes victors at Air Meet!
08/31/2026

On this day in 1930!
Bellanca planes victors at Air Meet!

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2 Centerpoint Boulevard
New Castle, DE
19720

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