HISTORIC AIRPLANES: Old 249

Hackbarth reconstructed the old de Havilland using as much of the original airplane as was still useable. After Hackbath had been working on the reconstruction for months, a nearby mountain fire swept down, consuming his ranch and the de Havilland. The story of the reconstruction and fire made national news, thanks to which, a new Liberty engine was located and offered to replace the one destroyed in the fire.

Hackbarth started back to work on the airplane, and with help de Havilland #249 was rebuilt. On May 9, 1968, Hackworth arrived in Washington, D.C., having begun his way across the country in the old de Havilland on April 22. The de Havilland's navigation equipment had not improved with the rebuilding, and when Hackworth landed, instead of finding Washington National Airport, he found himself at Anacastia Naval Station. Hackbarth got directions and took off for National Airport where he landed to a cheering cloud.

Today "old 249" stands in the atrium of Washington's National Postal Museum, on loan from the National Air and Space Museum.

Click here to go back to the Short Summary of the Old 249.