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.
August 2026 draft posts
(desktop view formatted / mobile view maybe scrambled until published)
Donald R. McDermott
"Mac"
1944 - 2026
Mac passed away peacefully at his home in the bayou of Lacombe, Louisiana, on June 30, 2026.
Don was 82.
For roughly 20 years, Don was known as the Mallard pilot for Antilles Air Boats and Virgin Islands Seaplane Shuttle.
He was not the only Mallard pilot, but he was renowned for his exceptional skill in handling the seaplane in any condition, Mac had the knack.
Mac loved the Caribbean. When he wasn't flying above it, he could be found fishing from his boat or relaxing at Buck Island.
Read some stories of a remarkable aviator and friend.
Feel free to send any memories or comments regarding Don McDermott.
Sydney '74
Rose Bay - Sydney, Australia 1974 "Excalibur VIII" is in its final preparation for its ferry flight to the U.S. Virgin Islands. left: Flight Engineer Jim Flanagan talks to a couple of interested visitors. right: Maureen and Charlie Blair on the dock before departure.
Photos by Stephen Berry. We will see and hear more from Stephen in the coming months. Stephen flew as crew for Qantas for 26 years and is a flying boat historian who will share some stories of those incredible years.
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Returning to the Flying Boat Era
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Click on the above photo for more information
Marijane has embraced life for as many years as she has lived it. Her most recent adventure was to visit Ireland to see the special place at Foynes where the flying boats once flew.
Read her story and enjoy the photos... click by red star above.
Margaret and Matthew Holle are greeted by Margaret O'Shaughnessy (l) when they visited Foynes in 2018.
Who's next? I hope it is me!
Blair's Bar & Bistro
- Shannon Airport
Charles Blair was indeed recognized in the region for his contribution to aviation on the Shannon River as well as the Shannon Airport, when he flew for American Export Airlines and Pan American World Airways. The Blair Bar was just an extra treat for Marijane Sipple during her visit
Grumman Goose N88U (B-100) has been listed as one of the many Gooses that flew at Antilles Air Boats but it didn't. Even though it flew the skies of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands around the years of AAB's start-up, it didn't assist while Blair secured additional aircraft as previously stated. The photo with description in the V.I. Daily News on January 22, 1964 showed N88U with some details about Antilles Air Boats beginning service. Michael Burke purchased N88U on November 26, 1962 and sold it in Florida in October 1964.
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Holding posts for coming months
J-6
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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.
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Stephen Berry joined Qantas Airlines in 1966 at age 21 and spent the next 26 years working for the company out of Sydney. Eighteen of those years was as a Flight Service Director, a role that today is known as a Customer Service Manager.
At age 5, Stephen was captivated by the Short Solent taking off and landing near his home in Wellington, New Zealand. His fascination with Shorts flying boats came in 1950, when TEAL began operating Short S-45 Solent 4s between Wellington and Sydney.
When Stephan began flying for Qantas, he was based in Sydney, bringing him closer once more to those magnificent flying boats. Ansett Flying Boat Service operated from Rose Bay, where he spent many hours photographing the Short Sandringhams.
In 1974, Charlie Blair arrived in Australia to take possession of "Beachcomber" and "Islander" and move them to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Stephen spent time at the Rose Bay flying boat facility, where he got to know Ron Gillies and Noel Holle. Once they recognized him as a devoted flying boat enthusiast, they gave him free rein of the two aircraft and the maintenance hangar while the planes were prepared for the ferry flight.. Ron and Noel worked for Ansett but agreed to continue with Blair's Antilles Air Boats. When the two iconic aircraft left Australia, Stephen thought he would never see them again. Two years later, however, he became part of an adventure he would never forget.
It was 1976, when Charlie and Maureen O'Hara Blair decided to utilize the Sandringham "Southern Cross" (formerly "Beachcomber") in Ireland for the summer months, so plans were made. Stephen heard of the planned trip to Ireland and very much wanted to be part of it. Read more...
Stephen Berry had the opportunity during his career at Qantas to service its customers on some equally iconic aircraft. We will share more about Stephen, Qantas and other aircraft in the coming months. Stay tuned.
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I am very pleased that Stephen found the Antilles Air Boats website and is able share his wonderful photos and stories of his Southern Cross trip to Ireland. We will continue to post new additions as they arrive.
click on above photos for more info
Capt. Charles F. Blair Jr.
photos courtesy of Stephen Berry
Stephen and Maureen enjoying the flight
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
photo credit Steve Kemper
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.....
