A 1929 Hamilton Metalplane, the only one of its kind that has been restored to flying condition, will go on the auction block soon in Scottsdale, Ariz. The airplane is hangared in South St. Paul, Minn., and will remain there until a new owner takes possession. The airplane was No. 22 of only 29 built, and was originally owned by the Canadian Forestry Service. After a long useful life in Canada, Alaska, and Washington State, it was fully restored in Minnesota in the 1970s. It was flown to airshows and won several awards, including Grand Champion trophy at the Antique Airplane Association National Convention in 1975 and the Silver Age Champion award at Oshkosh in 1976. Interested bidders can preview the Hamilton on Dec. 12-13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fleming Field Airport in South St. Paul. The aircraft will be sold in an auction conducted by Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale in January.No reserve price has been set.
Click here for more details about the sale. Last year, the same auction company sold a Ford Tri-Motor for over $1 million. The Hamilton Metalplane No. 22 was mainly used a floatplane, and accumulated just over 5,000 hours before its restoration. Since then, it has logged less than 50 hours in the air. It last flew in June 1978.
