A Bit of Island History

Just over 100 years ago, Henry Ford stood proudly on June 11, 1926 as he watched the new 4-AT model of the Ford Tri-Motor perform to his expectations and order the continued production of the most modern "Air Transport" plane of its time. This enclosed cabin heavy hauling transport plane with many redundant safety features soon caught the attention of Milton Hershberger. He had just started air transportation services to the 3 Bass Islands in the western basin of Lake Erie, Ohio in 1930. A big boost to his business was receiving the US Mail contract on July 1, 1931. Starting out with a pair of Ohio built WACO open cockpit planes he soon learned of their many limitations. He saw the tremendous benefits the Ford Tri-Motor planes offered but the $45,000.00 price kept them out of reach. Being a resourceful man, the opportunity came to have a Tri-Motor in the form of a crashed 4-AT just outside of Pittsburgh for $2,500.00 in 1934. Over the course of a year, he flew to the wrecked plane and rebuilt it. On October 13, 1935, he flew the first Tri-Motor to his South Bass Island airport. The 13 passenger heavy hauling was a perfect fit to service the Lake Erie Islands. He soon kept a fleet of 3 nicknamed Tin Goose planes. As the slower 85mph planes fell out of favor with transcontinental airlines he continued buying wrecked planes and parts stockpiles to keep the fleet going. In 1953 Ralph Dietrick, CEO of Travelair Taxi, bought the airline and moved its headquarters to Sandusky, Ohio, and continued the Tin Goose legacy. In 1962, the airline's operations were moved to Port Clinton, Ohio and the airmail route picked up a 4th island, Rattlesnake Island Local Post. So, the diamond airmail route was born. In the morning the mail route would start at the Port Clinton Airport with plane loaded with mail and fly to South Bass Island first. After exchanging mail and dropping off passengers and freight next stop was Middle Bass Island. After exchanging mail, this is when school students would board the daily "school plane". Next stop, North Bass Island. Mail was exchanged and students would board as well. Then after another take-off and landing the diamond airmail route would lead them to the grass runway of Rattlesnake Island (conditions permitting). After a quick mail exchange it was back to South Bass Island where the students would depart for school at Put-n-Bay. Possibly pick up some passengers and/or cargo and back to Port Clinton it was. This 12 take-off & landing, 17-mile daily trip only took about 45 minutes to complete. Thus, Island Airlines came to be known as the "World's Shortest Airlines".

The 60-anniversary $2.00 Tin Goose stamp pays tribute to these most important 1928 Ford Tri-Motor planes that served the Lake Erie Islands from October 13, 1936, to July 1, 1977. Interesting fact, out of the 8 different Ford Tri-Motor planes that the Milt & Ralph purchased, the first plane - 4-AT-38 happened to be the last plane flying. Kermit Weeks has been restoring that plane in Michigan since Hurricane Andrew destroyed it. Perhaps in a few years it too will roar over the skies of Port Clinton & the Lake Erie Islands. Below is the new 2026 - 60-year anniversary $2.00 stamp.

2026 special 60-anniversary perf & imperf $2.00 stamps

The First Day of Issue Ceremony is just 2 weeks away!

Liberty Aviation Museum at 3515 E. State Rd., Port Clinton, Ohio

On August 27th, 2026, at 2:00pm.

Please email me if you have any questions,

Dave Gill

rilp43452@gmail.com

RILP-PMG