37 Vintage Photos of the Cleveland National Air Show

Long before it became the Cleveland National Air Show, we had the Cleveland National Air Races. It was first held from August 24 through September 2, 1929, at Cleveland Municipal Airport (now known as Hopkins International Airport), attracted 100,000 on its first day and featured air icons such as Charles Lindburgh and Amelia Earhart. The Cleveland National Air Show as we know it today began in 1964.

Photos courtesy of the Cleveland Memory Project

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1937 National Air Races at Cleveland Municipal Airport - Steve Wittmann's big Thompson Trophy racer, Curtiss D12 engine
1937 National Air Races at Cleveland Municipal Airport - Steve Wittmann's big Thompson Trophy racer, Curtiss D12 engine
1st Pursuit Squadron and Army on parade at 1932 Cleveland National Air Races.
1st Pursuit Squadron and Army on parade at 1932 Cleveland National Air Races.
27th Pursuit Squadron at the 1938 Cleveland National Air Races
27th Pursuit Squadron at the 1938 Cleveland National Air Races
Advertisement for the 1934 Cleveland National Air Races
Advertisement for the 1934 Cleveland National Air Races
Aerial view of the 1938 Cleveland National Air Races
Aerial view of the 1938 Cleveland National Air Races
Air race scooter at the 1946 Cleveland National Air Races
Air race scooter at the 1946 Cleveland National Air Races
Aerial view of the stands at the 1931 Cleveland National Air Races
Aerial view of the stands at the 1931 Cleveland National Air Races
Aircraft accident at the 1932 Cleveland National Air Races
Aircraft accident at the 1932 Cleveland National Air Races
Aircraft on the tarmac and in the sky during the 1946 Cleveland National Air Races
Aircraft on the tarmac and in the sky during the 1946 Cleveland National Air Races
Band performing at the National Air Races, 1932
Band performing at the National Air Races, 1932
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