J-5
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Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. sells J-5 11/5/1946
National Post - 11/15/52
When a business decides to acquire an airplane, in many case it begins with management having an understanding and experience with aviation. George McCullagh purchased the Globe and then the Mail and Empire in 1936 to form the Globe and Mail. The following year the paper bought their first airplane, a de Havilland Dragon Rapide. Before the outbreak of WWII, in 1939, Mr. McCullagh became an officer commanding the No. 110 Army Co-operating Squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force. When the No. 110 was placed in active service he held the rank of squadron leader. Due to an illness he did not go overseas but certainly retained his knowledge of aircraft
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The Globe and Mail 8/6/1952
Grumman Mallard J-5 came in November 1946. and was utilized in business as well as some leisure travel with the occasional humanitarian flight. George McCullagh health became an issue with multiple heart issues and even though his death on August 5, 1952 was originally recorded as a heart attack it wasn't until 1998 that it came out that he committed suicide. A few months after his death J-5 was put up for sale.
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J-5 was released from Grumman Aircraft Engineering Co. in Bethpage, N.Y. in November of 1946 and 80 years later it still flies the skies in all its glory. Those eighty years had many owners with some just making a transfer with others flying as Grumman intended.
Read more about the airplane that had nearly
20 owners with 11 registration numbers.
CF-EIZ 1953 - 1962
K.C. Irving / Irving Oil Transport / Canadian Verneers Ltd.
Bill of Sale -
Irving to Madden-Smith 5/16/62
Irving Oil Transport, Ltd. (aviation division) took delivery of J-5 on August 4, 1953, just after about a year and a half after losing J-1 in an accident at St. John, New Brunswick (12/4/51).
The aircraft was sold to Madden & Smith Corp. on May 16, 1962 after serving K.C. Irving for over eight years.
N74842 1962
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Madden and Smith Aircraft Corporation based in Miami began operations in the 1963 when Mert Madden bought out L.B. Smith Aircraft Co. They were involved with aircraft sales and leasing as well as repair and maintenance and other airport services.
J-5 came in from Canada (CF-EIZ), re-registered as N74842, inspection and maintenance performed and then went out to Panama (HP383). It was in Miami for about 6 months.
Miami, Florida
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Mert A, Madden
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HP-383 1962 - 1966
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Club de Pesce de Panama
Ray Smith was not the earliest sports fisherman to visit Pinas Bay, Panama in the early 1960's; however, he was the first to clear the dense jungle beyond the beach to construct a lodge offering temporary accommodations for those undertaking the journey. Initially, accessing this world-class "Black Marlin" fishing destination involved arriving in Panama City and living aboard a fishing vessel for the duration of the trip. The voyage entailed a two day passage to Pinas Bay to pursue highly sought-after game fish followed by the return journey to Panama City.
photos credit Tropic Star Lodge historical collection
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A Texan native, Ray Smith, amassed his wealth in the oil and transportation industries. On a subsequent trip in 1961, he acquired land and began clearing the jungle to build a lodge that would provide a more comfortable experience for visitng anglers.
In 1963, Mr. Smith opened Club de Pesce, offering an improved alternative to the arduous two-day trip from Panama City. The arrival of Grumman Mallard J-5 aircraft (Panamanian registration HP-383) in 1962
Sports Illustrated 4/22/63
enabled guest to reach the lodge in just 45 minutes. Over time, the lodge continued further into the forest, including the development of a runway for additional aircraft access. The J-5 aircraft served the lodge until 1966. The Lodge continues to this day as Tropic Star Lodge with Cessna 208 Caravans transporting the guests.
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N74842 1966
Jack Richards specialized in buying and selling secondhand airplanes but while the aircraft were in his possession he occasionally rented them out to customers on a short term basis. Jack began his aviation experience in the Army Air Corp in 1946 during the occupation of Japan. His love of aviation led him to attain his numerous pilot ratings and a long career in aircraft sales. In early 1960's Jack Richards Aircraft Co. Inc was established and moved many aircraft.
Jack Richards Aircraft Co.
- Oklahoma City, OK
Jack used his vast knowledge of aviation to publish the Airline Price Guide, which became the international standard for aircraft. First published in 1985 and still an aviation tool today.
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JRAC bought, sold, leased many aircraft over the years without out incident but situations did present themselves that had less than favorable results. Some leases wound up in court and one being tragic. Read more about the Colorado tragedy above. The late 60's and early 70's were an interesting period when working with governing agencies. They contributed to the issue.
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The Tulsa Daily World - 5/26/63
The Los Angles Times 2/20/63
J-5 Bill of Sales in July 11, 1966 and out July 15, 1966
4 days
N168W
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Basler Flight Service, Inc.
1967
Warren Basler began Fixed Base Operations at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1957. as Basler Flight Service. He was a true aviation pioneer, having accumulated over 30,000 flight hours, more than half of which was in the DC-3. He was the driving force behind the creation of commercially viable manufactured turbine powered DC-3, which has sold around the world.
Warren was inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame in 1993 and received the Wisconsin Aviation Award in 1995.
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His acquisition of J-5 from Otto Hess was more of a transfer to another Wisconsin operation... Emil Fischer's Business Aircraft Co.
Read more about Warren Basler and his Basler BT-67
J-5 Bill of Sales in September 28, 1967 and out November 17, 1967
50 days
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Basler BT-67
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The Journal - Meriden, Connecticut, the Dick Barnes article appeared in newspapers across the country
1971
Richard Durnad's Westernair of Albuquerque began in 1961, when he petitioned the State of Mexico to operate a common carrier aircraft service. Richard also bought, renovated and sold a range of small to medium size aircraft, including fighters, bombers and amphibians.
In 1964, Cutter-Carr Flying Service relocated to Albuquerque Municipal Airport, Westernair leased the entire West Mesa Airport property. Richard Durand spent many years battling the airport authority for position on the fields he operated at.
J-5 didn"t last long at Westernair of Albuquerque and there was no record of any major repairs or alterations made.Sold to Comb' Aircraft Inc. on March 31, 1970.
Westernair of Albuquerque
West Mesa Airport
Records for J-5 / Bill of Sale +
J-5 Bill of Sales in January 8, 1971 and out March 31, 1971
82 days
Combs Aircraft Co.
1971
Harry Combs founded the Denver based Combs Aircraft in 1938. In 1971, the aviation pioneer took over as president of Gates Learjet (1971-1981) rescuing the company following the death of the previous president. Simultaneously, his company, Combs Aircraft, expanded by purchasing Pacific Airmotive assets, while continuing to operate his established Denver service centers. J-5 was a purchase/resale.
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J-5 Bill of Sales in March 31, 1971 and out June 5, 1971
67 days
photo credit Jack Poelstra 1971 Las Vegas, NV
The next transfer was a little more difficult to understand when researching why a businessman from Pennsylvania without previous flying experience purchased J-5 and J-19 in 1971. No doubt the Grumman amphibians could draw anyone into the romantic adventure awaiting.
Edward F. Dixon
1971 - 1978
Edward Dixon (1919 -1998) was in the construction business beginning in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, where he owned Dixon Contracting Co. He helped to extinguish mine fires at Ashley and Wilkes-Barre area. In June 1971, at the age of 52, Dixon purchased J-5 from Combs Aircraft. (4 months later purchased J-19 from a Canadian operator) During this time he relocated to the Bahamas and began operating or trying to operate his Grumman's. When you operate Grumman's in Florida-Bahama you will get to know Dean Franklin, which Dixon did.
Dixon was already being looked at by federal agencies for dealings in Pennsylvania and those dealings held up his interest in buying Chalk's from Franklin. Even with those concerns, Chalk's was sold to Dixon in 1973 but J-19 was seized by the Internal Revenue Service on November 29, 1972 at Miami-Watson Island.
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Later in 1973, Dixon and his business partners faced further investigation by the Organization Crime Strike Force regarding the
The Miami News 8/23/71
7/1/71
photo credit Danny Crew 1978 Miami
mismanagement of millions of dollars in federal funds. Dixon. ultimately pleaded no-contest to federal tax evasion charges. After his sentence was finalized, Dixon served seven and a half months of a one-year sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri in 1975 (medical center due to heart condition).
Dixon was forced to sell Chalks' International Airlines to satisfy his federal tax penalties and liabilities and that sale was with Resorts International for just $30,000. in 1974.
The Pottsville Republican 9/25/72
Edward Dixon's J-5 had various incumbrances and was not part of Chalk's sale. The aircraft chattel mortgage was held by another party. See more below.
J-5 Bill of Sales in June 5, 1971 and out June 14, 1978
Dixon purchased J-5 from Combs Aircraft on June 5, 1971, a new request for FAA registration was submitted the same day and both documents refer to address as Mount Carmel, PA. On November 15, 1972, the FAA sent a letter of revocation of registration for failure to submit FAA Form 8050-73 Aircraft Registration Eligibility, Activity and Identification, which was due on April 1, 1972. Form 8050-73 documents and ensures conveyance and aircraft chattel mortgage. An aircraft chattel mortgage is a specific type of loan where the aircraft itself serves as collateral. Because airplanes are movable, high-value assets rather than fixed real estate, lenders hold a security interest and retain the tite until the loan is fully paid.
On June 14, 1972, an aircraft chattel mortgage was secured with International Aircraft Fuel Services Ltd. (J.N. Bowe) being secured party and Dixon requested a new registration on February 5, 1973.
I can follow the paper trail as it was submitted to the FAA and that does tell a story, but it is never the whole story.
From 1972 and for the next ten years or so J-5 operated with the authority of the Bowe's
In 1989, the Department of Civil Aviation of Bahama sent a letter to the law offices of Bowe & Mackay to state that the Bahamian registration C6-BDW was cancelled two years before the letter.
Frederick Nigel Bowe was the partner in Bowe & Mackay. He was also partners with Colombian drug lords. Bowe was indicted in 1985 but it took seven years before he was finally extradited to the U.S.
Another Bowe succumbed to the easy money of specific cargo. Charles Bowe was brother to Alphonso and another pilot with Executive Flight Support of Nassau.
There is no reference that J-5 was involved with carrying illegal cargo or that anyone other than Nigel and Charlie Bowe took that path. It does raise some questions on how all the years of legal battles effected the business of flying airplanes.
J-5 and its operators were never short of DRAMA.
Just saying...
International Aircraft Fuel Ltd.
1978 - 1985
International Aircraft Fuel Ltd. (IAF) was a Bahamian corporate entity owned and operated by the prominent Bowe family. Alphonso Bowe is a avid pilot who championed early aviation infrastructure in the region. Alphonso recognized the need for aviation services, primarily with fuel sales. Over the years Alphonso was managing the family owned International Aircraft Fuel Ltd., Executive Flight Support (EFS) and then Jet Nassau. Alphonso's brother's were also pilots and part of the operations providing charter flight services in a variety of aircraft.
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J.N Bowe was shown on various documents as Secretary and President of International Aircraft Fuel, Ltd. With numerous Bowe's in the family not sure which Bowe is J.N. but some reference to Alphonso.
There is also reference to other activities and even though a few got caught with some easy money ... the aviation businesses were professional and dedicated to assisting the aviation community.
Alphonso Bowe
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photo credit Peter Nicholson 1979
photo credit Richard Wemo May1979 Opslaocka
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photo credit Paul Thallon 1979
photo credit R.H. Scholefield Collectiion February 1981 Opalocka
photo credit Allan Rossmore 1981 Miami
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photo credit gdesyon August 15,1981 Watson Island, Miami
C6-BDW
Visair Ltd. - Nassau, Bahama
1985
Visna Trudie Bowe-Mackay is a member of the prominent Bowe family of the Bahamas and listed as President of Visair Ltd. Visna was wife of attorney Charles Mackay and sister to Frederick Nigel Bowe as well as aunt to Alphonso Bowe. Visna was a well recognized attorney and partner with Bowe & Mackay law firm in Nassau. Visair Limited was considered an aviation charter and local transport carrier operating in the region. Research indicates 2 aircraft affiliated with Visair Ltd; a Convair CV240-2 N609W for just over two months and the G-73 Mallard J-5 seem to operate by the Bowe's from the early days of Dixon until Nasmyth in 1991.
Gear up landing at Opa-locka Airport 7/30/80? No record, no documented repairs, no media coverage including newspapers. A gear-up landing usual makes the news and requires repairs.
Convair CV-240-2 (c/n 240-009) N609W
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photo credit Aviation Photo Company / Visair 1981
photo credit Aviation Photo Company
International Aicraft Fuel Ltd. / 1985
Smilax Ltd.
1985 -1989
Giovanni Borde was stated to be the Managing Director of Smilax Limited a Bahamian company, when he purchased J-5 on April 22, 1985.
There is very little information about Smilax Ltd. One reason being registered and operating in the Bahamas has not produced documents that would continue to tell the story.
I have other reasons to believe the lack of information about those years but again without more documentation I will leave it be... for now.
A different Giovanni Borde...
N15WJ
1987
World Jet Inc, - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
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Records would indicate that World Jet, Inc assisted with a new FAA Airworthiness Certificate when J-5 transferred from Bahama to U.S. The application designates World Jet as owner and the registration number being N15WJ (World Jet)
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The new C of A occurred on January 23, 1997 or about
midway through Smilax, Ltd ownership. It is also stated that World Jet Inc. assisted with selling J-5 to a new owner. The next owner was Trans-American Executive Jet. which also was Giovanni Borde. The bill of sale was on July 14, 1989 and the registration no. was blank.
daily ad run in the Miami Herald 1986/87
Note: Aircraft records came from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Various documents from the Bahama's found there way to be included but recognize that Department of Civil Aviation, Nassau, Bahama documents are incomplete.
N168WA
Each time I think I find an answer, I get more questions..
Trans American Executive Jet, Inc
Giovanni Borde is listed as President/ Vice President/Director of Transamerican Executive Jet, Inc., a Floridian company based in Miami.
1989 -1991
Giovanni Borde is also listed as a Director of Trans-American Airbusiness Inc. which from their date of incorporation 8/5/85 to date of involuntary dissolving 11/14/89 was just 15 months. The State of Florida dissolved the business due to failure to submit annual reports. It was unclear what the business entailed.
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J-5 Bill of Sales in July 23, 1991 and out July 10, 1992
John H. Nasmyth - "Spike"
1991 - 1992
In 1966, Nasmyth joined the 555th Fighter Squadron of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Air Force Base in Thailand, where he flew dangerous combat missions over Vietnam.
That chapter changed abruptly on September 4, 1966, when his F-4 Phantom was shot down and John Nasmyth was captured in North Vietnam. He was imprisoned at Ho Lo Prison, known to American POW'S
as Hanoi Hotel, until his release on February 18, 1973... 6 1/2 years. He left the U.S. Air Force on November 30, 1973.
His passion for flying never faded and using the GI Bill, he earned his civilian flight certifications, even traveling to Florida to add a seaplane rating.
Nasmyth returned to the Pacific Northwest where he began to gain experience as a seaplane pilot with Orca Air, Waglisla Air and Spike Air Ltd.
In 1987, Spike went to Panama to ferry N27DF (J-54) back to the U.S. with an eight month stop-over in Costa Rica (maintenance). Some months later J-54 wound up in Thailand operating at Tropic Sea Air Co. Ltd. with Nasmyth in charge of flight operations. The need for another G-73 Mallard came in 1991... enter J-5. Nasmyth purchased N168WA in July of 1991 and returned to the Pacific Northwest to prepare the aircraft for sale and transfer to Tropic Sea Air Co. Ltd. in Thailand.
Read more about Spike Nasmyth and J-5
J-5 Bill of Sales in July 23, 1991 and out August 10, 1992
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J-54
There are many interviews (videos) and books by Spike Nasmyth on his ordeal in Vietnam as well as his flying the skies around the world
HS-TPB
1992 - 1994
photo credit
Tropical Sea Air Co. Ltd. - Bangkok
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The delivery of J-5, now registered HS-TPB (8/92), was continually delayed. It was fitted with radio equipment in Canada and ferry tanks in Camarillo, CA, but because of continuing fuel and hydraulic leaks it was moved to Chalk's in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for maintenance. The longer it sat the further it got to its completion. When HS-TPA (J-54) needed engines in Thailand they were removed them from HS-TPB. J-5 got no nearer to Thailand, as the repairs which had been carried out on the first Mallard (J-54) in Australia during its delivery flight had gone unpaid. The Australian company filed suit in the USA and a lien was put on HS-TPB which subsequently auctioned.
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HS-TPA (J-54) "Yellowbirds" in Thailand
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J-5 Bill of Sales in August 10, 1992 and out April 5, 1994
Tropic Sea Air Pty Ltd Grumman Goose s/n 1145 HS-TOM
operated in Thailand from 1991 to 1993 and then sat until it went to Germany in 1995. It joined 3 Antilles Air Boats Gooses N28369, N79914 and N2003. See more at N28369
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N168WA / N168TM
U.S. Distributors was one of over 25 companies that James Confalone and his wife Karen established in various locations in the U.S to conduct their business.
1994 - 1996
U.S. Distributors
When the Australian corporation, Transcorp Pty. Ltd. successfully sued Tropical Sea Air Ltd. in a Florida court, James Confalone (U.S. Distibutors) was there to be the successful bidder at $115,400 in the auction (4/18/94) to secure J-5 as its new owner.
The aircraft was sitting in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at Chalk's International Airways with no engines. Confalone was able to piece the aircraft together and relocate it to Hampton Field, Hampton New Hampshire which was close to his orginal home and new business in Maine. On September 28, 1995, Confalone secured an Aircraft Security Agreement (loan) for $332,000. On Sept. 30, 1995 , the registration was changed from N168WA to N168TM. Confalone then prepared to sell J-5 to Pantechnicon Aviation Ltd. which took place just over a year of new N168TM registration.
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James Confalone
James Confalone interest in aviation began at an early age. When he finished high school around 1960, he went to a vocational school and acquired his A&P mechanic and pilots licenses. He then joined the Navy Reserves where he was trained as an aviation technician. After his time in the Navy, he relocated from New England to Miami where he joined Eastern Air Lines and flew as a pilot for the next 26 years. It ended in 1991 when Eastern closed its doors. During his time at Eastern he started his entrepreneurial quest.
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Snow Job?
there is much more on this subject
"In the case of the Northeast, it is James Confalone, with out question the most negligent ski area owner in the region"
comment from The Storm Skiing Journal
One of his first business was a used car dealership and then he established The Car Wash in 1989. Once he stopped flying for Eastern in 1991, he had more time to look for new opportunities.
Squaw Mountain Resort in Maine was operated by 5 different groups between 1987 and 1994 before James Confalone purchased the ski area in 1995 for $550,000. The purchase came with the explicit understanding that the purchaser would invest in and improve the ski area and resort, and maintain and operate it as an attractive and safe resort for the benefit of the people of Maine and Greenville community. Many of the people believed that the Confalones did not meet that obligation, so did the judge when it found it way to the court many years later.
It was 1999, when Confalone was the successful bidder in the Chalk's International Airlines bankruptcy and found himself the new owner of this iconic airline. This new acquisition joined his already numerous businesses that all required his attention. When you look back at these businesses, one could certainly say
that overcommitment comes to mind for both task and resources.
J-5 Bill of Sales in April 5, 1994 and out November 19, 1996
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On December 19, 2005, Chalk's Ocean Airways flight 101 crashed and killed all on-board. The NTSB report was finalized on May 30, 2007 and 4 months later the Department of Transportation revoked the operating certificate of Flying Boat, Inc dba Chalk's Ocean Airways. That ended the 90's years of the iconic airline started by "Pappy" Chalk.
There are and will be more pages about Chalk's and the people and aircraft that called Miami home.
When Confalone purchased Chalks in 1999 it included only 2 Mallards but he quickly started to purchase additional aircraft with turbine conversions. The new Chalk's Ocean Airways was moving in the right direction. Then 911 changed things once again.
"Turns out like Big Squaw, Chalk's has been hemorrhaging .money for years. It is interesting how someone can operate two businesses at such huge losses and still maintain that lifestyle"
comment from AlpineZone.com
N168WS
1996 - Present
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photo credit Jessica Ambats
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photo credit Mike Henniger 2013
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photo from aircraft.com
Pantechnicon Aviation Ltd. - Minden, Nevada
J-5 operated for a half of a century before John Fuller took possession and brought it back to factory plus condition.
For the last 30 years it has been maintained and flown as it should be for the Grumman Mallard is indeed an iconic airplane.
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photo from aircraft.com
photo from BAAA
photo credit Bill Hann / DHC -2 Beaver
photo credit Peter Liander
photo from FlightAware
photo from FlightAware
VAM restored several G-73's
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The Cover Girl
photo credit Don Hewins / Ft. Lauderdale, FL 1998
photo credit Dave Welch / Clear Lake, CA, FL 2004
A long story with a happy ending
Completed documents for J-5 as received by FAA
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