I took this a number of years ago when my wife and I skipped over the the Bahamas for a weekend. I used her P&S and print film that I scanned. Not the best image, but know some will like it, as it hasn't been displayed yet. Sorry about the quality. We'll have to go back! :D
Hi Mark One of the later images, already with new engines and ports ... and I think the last paint scheme the used before closing down !!! Company founded in 1919 !!!! .. taking off from Cat?
Thanks all for viewing and comments. It was fun to see, especially as it wasn't at an air show... Nice to know some still fly for a living, at least they did...
Hi Mark They only made 59 and the last built in 1951 Forgot the year of engine update, around mid eighties and the cost around four million dollars !!! the original cost for the plane just over one hundred thousand !!
The accident you refer to was in 2005 and was the first fatal accident for the airline since 1919. No survivors and the accident was blamed on crack/corrosion on the wing spar. btw on looking back at some of their planes that was the latest paint scheme, the one before was aqua !!
...one bit of info ... when the planes came out of the water someone had to run out and place a support under the tail, after the engine update the center of gravity changed !!!... apparently it did not affect the flying performance !!!