Life Comes Full Circle For Brother Baker

It's no secret the Baker crew are die hard Luscombe heads.  Pop Baker has owned several over the years.  He even taught Joe how to fly in 43 Bravo.  Combined, they have several thousand hours (possibly more) in the All-Metal airplane.  They have the touch!  Imagine my surprise when I learned their Luscombe addiction was not always so!  If we venture back three generations, we discover Grandpa Ray Baker was the local Aeronca dealer at City Airport in Detroit, Michigan.

Here is a promotional photo from way back when.  The kid on the right is Joe's Uncle Dale.  He eventually grew up and retired from TWA.

According to Joe, this Aeronca K inaugurated airmail service to several towns "Up North."

The Boeing 247 swooped in to City Airport and off loaded the mail to the waiting "K." That's how it was done at Baker-Eberle, Detroit City Airport, back in the day.

Let's not forget Grandma Baker. . .

Or her grandson, Joe---third generation Aeronca driver.  Just don't tell the Luscombe folks!

Grandpa Ray Baker's "Sporting License."  Number 17, signed by Orville Wright!

Grandpa Ray & TWA Captain Dale Baker.