When I was a kid (many, many years ago) we had a half mile grass airstrip on our farm about 3 miles from Oakland, Ill. Sky king's wife was from Oakland. The nearest public airport was Mattoon but it was 20 miles from Oakland. One time he decided to land his twin engine airplane (the story would be better if I knew which one) on our strip. I remember going out to the farm to see the plane. Later the next day my dad got a call from Kirby asking if my dad could cut down 500 feet of corn off the south end of the strip and he would pay for it. He said if we didn't the plane would when he took off. That was the one and only time he landed there. He was a most gracious guest to Oakland. My wife says says she can remember the time he and Penny came to the Oakland Grade School to talk to the kids. They don't make TV stars like that anymore.
Fred Hi, I have been re-living some video adventures of Sky King from the 50's. After a few minutes you hardly miss the color. Story lines are short and to the point. Acting is, well, different, but it IS aviation! I say re-living because I viewed it the first time around. Here is the site. Bill Coons http://www.americanflyers.net/entertainment/skyking.asp
