As I continue to work on this website, I thought a forum rather than Blog would work much better. I hope that you will join the conversation, add photos or stories here. Ask questions.
In Carlsbad Jet Center ( CRQ ) , and with a quick glance I see on the wall see some welcomed history on a poster that reminded me of the Flying Boats, Hawaii and all the work you do for this site Tom Thank you & Mahalo.
I still remember my one and only flight on a Antilles Airboat Grumman Goose, It was from st thomas to st croix for the first major airshow on st croix. AAB also had a PBY on display. Loved the sound of does radial engines..
No forum entries for 8 months. Will consider dropping from website.
Flew from SJ to Charlotte Amalie roundtrip twice (1976, 10 yrs old; 1978, 12y/o) with the family. Agree with previous post on those Goose radials, what a thrill for a young boy to hear the first time. Stayed in a home on Water Isle in '76, and Bluebeards Castle in '78. I recall water leaking in on the back of my neck in '76 on landing in STT. Thanks so much for creating this incredible website to commemorate an important chapter in aviation and Caribbean history
brdilmel, Thank you for your post and kind words. I hope more people will find the website and share their experience. I will continue each week to post photos and stories. Aloha, Tom
A wonderful webpage that keeps the Air Boat history alive.
Wow! What an amazing website! It brings back lots of good memories...
My uncle, James Cothron, who flew for Cat Cay and Southeast airline, was one of the pilots, along with a Pan Am pilot, who flew a Goose, most likely N95467, that Capt Blair had bought from Southeast Airlines in Miami to St Thomas. From what my dad told me, James thought they were not going to make it due to the strong head wind. It was a long trip in a goose. He was also shot during a hijacking while working for Chalks. After he left chalks, he flew for the Johnson family of Johnson and Johnson who own an Island near the Bahamas. He flew for them into his 80's. James had 50+ years of flying a goose and a mallard. He recently passed away at age 96. My Dad, Bill Cothron, worked for Eastern Airlines for 35 years. He also worked for Charles Blair as the middle man for parts in Miami. Dean Franklin had bought the rights to the Goose and had a warehouse with all the parts and repair kits in Miami. I remember we got a Christmas card signed by Maureen O'Hara. My dad did some structure work a couple of times in St. Thomas. We stayed at the Caravan hotel. I also remember him repairing some floats on the back patio at our house in Miami, which was pretty close to the Miami airport. Sometimes my uncle would fly over our house in a Goose waving the wings at us. He was a hell of a pilot.
More stories and pictures coming soon!
lars136
Thank you for your comments. My Dad is a friend of your Aunt Fran (they just talked last week.) . They were in a dance troupe together for 15 years or so. My Dad also got to be friends with Jim and they traded stories from the early days. Sorry to hear of Jim's recent passing. A great life. I moved my Dad (94 yrs.) from Florida to Hawaii almost 7 years ago. Small world! It is also interesting that I may have met your Dad... I spent a bit of time working with Dean Franklin gathering parts for AAB.. Maureen liked sending her Christmas cards and we all enjoyed receiving them. I look forward to hearing more stories and seeing any photos you may have. Feel free to email direct to tom@antillesairboats.com Thank you again, it was pleasure to hear from you.. Aloha, Tom
Tom,
Thank you so much for your response. That is amazing....What a small world it is. I look forward to digging up some old photos and sharing more stories. It was great to hear some of yours. Thanks, Larry