Mutual Blackbird
Encyclopedia
Development
The aircraft was designed in 1929 by Giuseppe Bellanca for the Mutual Aircraft Company (also known as the Mutual Aircraft Service Inc). The Blackbird was built by Mutual at their factory in Kansas City, Missouri and first flew later that year. Although the sole aircraft X87M successfully completed some long-distance flights, no further production was undertaken.Operational history and preservation
The Blackbird flew successfully for 18 months before being damaged in a crash on landing near Kansas City on return from New York on 13 April 1931. The aircraft was stored in a barn until it was rediscovered in early 1995. It was restored by the San Diego Air & Space Museum at Gillespie FieldGillespie Field
Gillespie Field is a county-owned public-use airport located 10 miles northeast of the central business district of San Diego, in El Cajon, San Diego County, California, United States....
and is currently (January 2008) displayed at the Yanks Air Museum
Yanks Air Museum
The Yanks Air Museum is a non-profit 501 organization dedicated to exhibiting, preserving and restoring American aircraft and artifacts.-Chino facility and exhibits:...
at Chino
Chino, California
Chino is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. It is located in the western end of the Riverside-San Bernardino Area and it is easily accessible via the Chino Valley and Pomona freeways....
airfield, California.