Draft Posts
The articles, photos and stories posted below are drafts and are not fully published and are not available for public viewing until finalized and approved.
October 2026 draft posts
(desktop view formatted / mobile view maybe scrambled until published)
has been an AAB website contributor sharing his stories of the large flying boats. His page has numerous images and articles of the Short Sandringham and Solent IV flying boat operating in the South Pacific, Tasman Sea and beyond.
Go to the Stephen Berry page and scroll down to read the many articles
A room with a view
PBY
The views of the islands were always a treat each and every day. From an AAB seaplane just made it a little more special. Charlie Freehling took the above photo from a PBY leaving Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas in 1969.
photos credit Charlie Freehling
Headquartered in Vero Beach, Florida, Catalina Aircraft Company is developing the Catalina SPAR™, an FAA Part 25 transport-category amphibious aircraft platform for multi-mission operations worldwide. One platform, designed to operate from land and water alike, for transport, patrol, firefighting, rescue, and humanitarian missions.
Will this new entry make it to production? Will the demand equate to sufficient orders to allow long term support. We can hope that Catalina Aircraft Company will have success with a proven design with the newest technology.
A new bird...
B4 AAB
was a historic Southern California amphibious airline operating from 1953 to 1968,that flew passengers between the mainland and Santa Catalina Island. AAT started in the summer of 1953 by pilot Dick Probert and partner Jean Chisolm (later joined by Walt von Kleinsmid).Renamed to Catalina Airlines in 1963 before officially ceasing operations in 1968.
By 1960, the airline completed over 100,000 channel crossings Connected Long Beach Harbor, Burbank, and Los Angeles International Airport to Avalon on Catalina Island. In Avalon, they notably docked at the Green Pleasure Pier.
Charles Blair purchased several of Probert's airplanes which found there way to the Caribbean.
photos from Tom Anusewicz Collection
Al Blackman was a record breaking aircraft mechanic, retiring from American Airlines after 80 years of service.
1925 -2026
Al's career also had some connections with Charlie Blair and AAB.
Back in the early 1940's Al went to Aviation High School in New York City and after graduating joined American Export Airlines.
Al's first job was as a structural mechanic apprentice on the Sikorsky VS-44. The "Flying Aces" Excalibur, Excambian and Exeter were the three Sikorsky flying boats that launched the new airline with Charles Blair as Chief Pilot.
Another connection was the Aviation High School of New York. In 1980, AAB was hiring A&P mechanics and after placing an ad in aviation trade publications, we chose several individuals with 3 from the Aviation High School of New York...
nearly 40 years after "Al" left to work on seaplanes
My own career started as an Aviation Structural Mechanic working on seaplanes.
When the New England Air Museum took possession of "Excambian", Al Blackman was there to assist with the restoration.
photo credit Lyle Boyer / July 1980
A new photo of "Excambian" arrived this month from Sean Boyer. The Sikorsky flying boat is shown sitting outside at the Pensacola Navel Air Station in July 1980 This was just before Maureen O'Hara Blair negotiated a long term loan of the iconic aircraft to the New England Air Museum.
STX
new slides
St. Thomas
Antilles Air Boats operated 2 Grumman Mallards from 1974 into1978.
After Charles Blair's death in 1978 the Grumman Mallards were increased to 7. Below: Mallard and Goose on the ramp and N2442H arriving in St. Thomas.
1979
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1980
photos from Tom Anusewicz Collection
Cameos
- AAB / VISS airplanes make brief appearances in visitors home movies
1960's St. Croix with the Goose appearing at 4:18 into video.
1968 in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas with Sikorsky "Excambian" and a Goose at 12:30 into video.
1979 St. Croix with Grumman Mallards departing at 0:52 and 2:17 into video.
1986 St. Thomas, Virgin Island Seaplane Shuttle Mallard make an appearance at
2:25 and 24:20 into video
Cruz Bay, St John
photo credit Frtiz Henle
photo from Tom Anusewicz Collection
Back in the day... Antilles Air Boats Gooses and Mallards arrived and departed from the little clearing in the northeast corner of
Cruz Bay, St. John.
The National Park Service supplied land and the sign that welcomed the visitors.
St. John is a very special place but back in the day... it was just a little more special.
I hope to continue to find photos of this unique spot in paradise.
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photo credit Glenn Arveson
Christiansted, St. Croix
Antilles Air Boats Seaplane Terminal
photo credit Tom Anusewicz 1978
Pan Am Pavilion
AAB 1st terminal
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
photo credit Tom Anusewicz 1980
a watercolor rendition of the above photo
Continuing to document the background of each of the Grumman G-73 Mallards. Each of the 59 aircraft built had a unique history.
J-7
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Through the efforts of those aviation historians of the past, we know the various owners and the years they operated J-6.
This page will go a little further into the individuals that recognized the Grumman Mallard as their aircraft of choice.
Continuing to document the background of each of the Grumman G-73 Mallards. Each of the 59 aircraft built had a unique history.
J-8
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Through the efforts of those aviation historians of the past, we know the various owners and the years they operated J-6.
This page will go a little further into the individuals that recognized the Grumman Mallard as their aircraft of choice.
The Antilles Air Boats Goose operated with one pilot, Unlike most airlines, the pilot arrived with extensive experience, thousands of hours of flight time. This was to be their last flying job, a semi-retirement gig that would supplement in most cases their military retirement. With the addition of the Grumman Mallard which required 2 pilots, a captain and co-captain. The co-captain's flight experience was far less than the captain. While the person in the left seat was ending their career, the right seat occupant was just starting theirs.
photo credit Tom Anusewicz
A little bit about
A Seaplane and a pilot
The Antilles Air Boats Mallard N51151 (J-42) was originally delivered to C.F .Kettering as N2975 in early 1949.. The aircraft had numerous owners over the years and was owned by Chalk's International Airlines and loaned to AAB for a little less than 3 years. In 1982, Chalk's had the aircraft sent to Frakes Aviation in Cleburne, Texas for conversion to PT-6A-34 turbine engines.
"Pappy" Chalk started Chalk's Flying Service in 1919 and over the years there was variant names as well as various owners. In December of 1999, the airline was relaunched as Chalk's Ocean Airways.
Scott Adams was fortunate to arrive at Chalk's to have experienced flying the Mallard , now registered as N142PA. Scott began his flying career.....
Scott Adams was fortunate to arrive at Chalk's to have experienced flying the Mallard , now registered as N142PA. Scott began his flying career.....
Scott Adams was fortunate to arrive at Chalk's to have experienced flying the Mallard , now registered as N142PA. Scott began his flying career.....
Scott Adams was fortunate to arrive at Chalk's to have experienced flying the Mallard , now registered as N142PA. Scott began his flying career.....
photo credit Steve Kemper
Holding posts for coming months
