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
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International Aircraft Fuel Ltd.
1971
C6-BDW
1971
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photo credit Peter Nicholson 1979
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photo credit Paul Thallon 1979
Visair Ltd.
Smilax Ltd.
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photo credit Allan Rossmore 1981 Miami
photo credit Richard Wemo May1979 Opslaocka
photo credit R.H. Scholefield Collectiion February 1981 Opalocka
N15WJ
1987
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World Jet Inc, - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
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daily ad run in the Miami Herald 1986/87
N168WA
1971
Trans American Executive Jet, Inc
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John H. Nasmyth
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1971
HS-TPB
1971
photo credit
Tropical Sea Air Co. Ltd. - Bangkok
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N168WS
1971
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Pantechnicon Aviation Ltd.
photo credit Jessica Ambats
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photo credit Mike Henniger 2013
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