The American Barnstormers Tour flew into town today and made quite a popular appearance at the Bismarck Airport. I showed up just after noon and the place was crawling with enthusiastic patrons.

Not only were there plenty of vintage aircraft both on the tarmac and in the air, but a plethora of antigue cars adorned the area as well. Some even matched the aircraft quite nicely! Note the attentive pilot doing some detail work on his plane’s windshield.

This plane had far more wood used in its construction than I would ever have expected. Let’s take a look inside…

Why yes, those windows DO have cranks. Have you ever rolled down your window while on a commuter flight before? I didn’t think so.

This photo does not do this little bathroom justice. The doorway is just barely high enough for my 3-year-old to walk through without ducking! He thought a potty just his side was pretty cool.

Even though the hangar was mostly empty, that didn’t stop a lot of people from mulling around and eyeing the old building. Its construction is really cool, actually. I should have photographed the arcing wooden rafters.

The oldest entry in the shoe: the 1909 Bleriot. Pretty wild looking, isn’t it? The cross-section of the wing is pretty neat, too. Instead of the teardrop shape you’d expect, it’s actually an arc-shaped wing. Come check it out Monday or Tuesday.

The antithesis of a modern jetliner cockpit: three gauges and a stick. I couldn’t see what kind of pedals it might have, but I did see a modern transponder or radio device on the left.

While it was a bit breezy, making things very interesting for the dozens I saw taking rides in the classic biplanes, the weather was perfect for this kind of event. Hopefully things continue for the next couple of days, so everybody who wants to take it in can do so.

One last shot: an airplane with a steering wheel? Well, two actually. The craftsmanship on these old airplanes is remarkable. They really are a unique sight to behold, and admission is free. Make sure you take the opportunity to visit Bismarck Airport in the next couple of days, or your chance will fly away!