By Ron VandenBoom
An estimated 35 antique and classic aircraft will descend on Havre this Saturday, June 17, on the last leg of a journey that started Thursday and will visit eight communities in north central Montana.
The caravan of aircraft, part of the free Montana Antique Aircraft Association annual Antique Air Tour, will start the tour in Fort Benton and make stops in Stanford, Hollandsworth Farms west of Fort Benton, before stopping in Valier, Choteau, Shelby, and Big Sandy and finally Havre Saturday evening.
The tour visited Havre three years ago as the starting point of the 1997 tour and will be returning with many of the same aircraft visitors were invited to see then, said Brian Moore spokesman for the event.
The Montana Antique Airplane Association has been in existence for more than 30 years and consists of more than 300 members.
Moore couldn't say all the difference types of aircraft he expects will be flying into Havre, but some that have visited Havre in the past are the Stinson SR-7B Gull Wing, a Sesna 140, 1940 vintage, a Fairchild 24, and a 1958, fabric covered, all wood wing, Bellanca Tri-tail.
Havre area residents are invited to visit with the pilots at the Havre City-County Airport from 7-9 p.m. Saturday and view the antique planes.
