J-3
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The third G-73 Mallard was delivered to its new owner on October 16, 1946
and it was unfortunate that J-3 had its last flight on May 24, 1950
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Forstmann Woolen Co.- Passiac, New Jersey
It began with Julius Forstmann (1871-1939) who settled in the United States in 1904, intially working as a director and vice president of Botany Worsted Mills in Passaic, New Jersey. Shortly following, Forstmann founded the Forstmann and Huffmann Company, also in Passaic, named for the company in Germany he joined in 1897. The Forstmann family had been involved in the European woolen industry for generations. In 1931, Forstmann and Huffman became Forestmann Woolen Co., a firm recognized as the "leading manufacturing of fine woolen and worsteds in America."
Forstmann Woolen Co. took possession of NC2941 -J-3 on October 16, 1946 and operated it for just over 2 years. Curt took ill early in 1949 and sold the Mallard on June 30, 1949. Curt Forstmann died on January 19, 1950.
When Julius Forstmann died in 1939, Curtis Erwin Forstmann assumed responsibility for the Woolen Company's operations. He had already been involved in the family business as an assistant to his father for 9 years.
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Wealthiness
Dearborn Motor Corporation
Frank R. Pierce (left) Dearborn Motors president, and Ralph E. Hunt, manager of the firm's engineering and manufacturing division. photo taken on June 29, 1949
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Immediately after take-off from the Charlotte-Douglas Airport, passengers stated that the engine tone changed, witness stated that the aircraft was only 15 feet above the runway when the right wing dipped and then leveled but came back to the ground out of control and crashed into flames. It was also determined that there was a crosswind as well as thunderstorms indicated. No extensive accident report is available. The proximity and quick response of the crash rescue emergency services allowed the crew and most of the passengers to survive. Frank Pierce did not survive.
It was J-3's last flight.
N2941 / J-3 completed Department of Commerce registration to Dearborn Motors Corp. on July 27, 1949. The second ownership lasted less than
the first. Read more about Dearborn Motors and the
final flight of J-3.
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Dearborn Motors Corp. executive dies in aircraft accident - May 24,1950
Department of Commerce - Aircraft Status Change 1950
With only on-demand charter operations and Piedmont scheduled service, it was difficult for State Airlines to be viable.
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Henry Gilbert purchased Mallard N2941 from the insurance company on May 27, 1950. (see handwritten bill of sale). The FAA Bill of Sale is not dated.
The next Bill of Sale signed by Marjorie Gilbert was to Amphibian Parts, Inc. (Dean Franklin) on May 20, 1959. The non-airworthy airplane sat in Charlotte, North Carolina for nine years.
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I'm not sure why Henry Gilbert took on the wreck of N2941 but he acted quickly, purchasing J-3 just 3 days after the accident.
Henry K. Gilbert Jr. was the president and genera manager of State Airlines, which was one of the earliest carriers to serve Charlotte Municipal Airport. State Airlines launched an on-demand air service in 1940 to Columbia and Charleston, S.C.
with 2 Bellanca 14-9L Cruisair.
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Gilbert led State Airlines during a period of expansion, positioning it as a vital connector for larger carriers like Eastern Air Lines. He submitted a request to the Civil Aeronautics Board to move from on-demand to a scheduled service. When the C.A.B. gave the routes to the newly formed Piedmont Airlines, State Airlines appealed and it made it all the way to the Supreme Court which gave its final rejection on February 6, 1950.
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Parts and pieces... the value of aircraft parts were like gold... especially the Grumman Mallard with only 59 built. No one new that better than Dean Franklin.
Amphibian Parts Inc. and his other businesses were dedicated to the Grumman seaplanes.
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Amphibian Parts Inc. (Dean) applied for a new registration for N2941 on May 27, 1973 but State Aviation's letter, 23 years earlier, requested cancellation of that number. The FAA gave Amphibian Parts the closest number N2943. This number was original assigned to J-6 but when the aircraft went to Japan the US registration was returned in 1966. So N2941 is now N2943.
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On May 10, 1980, Amphibian Parts sells aircraft to Coastal Air Inc. (another Dean Franklin company) Then in July of 1980, Dean requested a new special registration. N2943 is now N41DF.
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N41DF registration expires and is cancelled on February 12, 2012
Dean operated his various businesses while flying the Grumman Goose for Chalk's. No one knew more about the Grumman amphibians than Dean Franklin. To understand a little more of Dean's experience and businesses click on above.
The late Geoff Goodall, Fred Hotson and Matt Rodino along with Fred Knight & Colin Smith have done the hard work on documenting the history of so many amphibians. I have enjoyed taking their work and elaborate on those individuals that owned some of these iconic airplanes.
Thank you gentleman .
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The above material has been produced from many sources with a number of links to additional websites. The verbiage comes from myself and others. Photos and documents have been reviewed for posting. Any questions or concerns regarding material, please contact me. Tom Anusewicz