A busy week! VQ, PBA, SRQ, Old 36, Flagship Detroit

Last week I began adding pages dedicated to individual timetables of commuter airlines of Georgia and Florida starting with Chalk's and PBA. The response was great and I received many encouraging comments. I plan to continue to scan and upload more at the slow but realistic pace of one or two a day, so by this time next year we'll have a large online archive. 

As always, thanks to the many contributors who continue to send photos, scans, videos and their stories. Their material keeps the website alive and growing and I sincerely appreciate their time and effort. 

ADDED TO THE WEBSITE IN THE LAST WEEK:
A new page about VQ Airlines which operated flights to Walt Disney World via Maguire Airport, a 2,400 grass airstrip located 9 miles from the Magic Kingdom. Thanks to Don Henchel for scanning his rare VQ timetable for this page.

Four new photos added to the Naples Airlines page including two from Karl Innes and a DC-3 print mailed by William Moriaty.

Shea Oakley sent an amazing treasure trove of photos from Sarasota Airport and I added another batch to the history of SRQ. They are spread across three pages: parts one, two, and three. This photo of an Executive Airlines Beech B99 is a particular standout.

The PBA timetable from December 1985 commemorates the Golden Anniversary of the first flight of the Douglas DC-3 in 1935 and mentions an upcoming episode of the PBS program NOVA about the venerable "Gooney Bird". The program happens to be on YouTube so I added a link.

PBA DC-3 N136PB UPDATE

Jimmy Vach shared these recollections and N136PB update: 
"I grew up with PBA, Naples Airlines and the Van Arsdales. My father was Vice President of PBA for many years, Capt. Jim Vach. He is 71 now and very active living in Oviedo, Fl. I flew in these DC-3's almost every day as a young child with all the pilots, all summer long and have the greatest memories of the airline and the planes. I even remember the old Aztec and Lockheeds, Martin 404's, Bandierantes, YS-11s and world's largest fleet of Cessna 402's. 

Oh... I forgot to mention I filmed [former PBA DC-3 N136PB] flying around my hotel today! 

It may be a bit blurry but it's great to see "Old 36" still in action after all these decades.

"Old 36 was up buzzing around again today. Got some more great video of her flyin’ low over the hotel (in Wilsonville, Oregon). I think she might be getting ready to participate in the Oregon INTL Air Show next weekend!" ​

FLAGSHIP DETROIT
My family went to see the gorgeous 1937-vintage American Airlines Flagship Detroit DC-3 in LaFayette, GA on September 22. Didn't have the time (or cash!) to take a ride but was able to stand near the edge of the runway as she took off and got the see the interior when it returned. Hoping to catch a flight when she visits Collegedale near Chattanooga next week.

​Here's a slow motion video my son took of the takeoff.

And... don't forget!
The 32nd Annual Atlanta Airline Collectibles Show & Sale at the Delta Flight Museum
October 6, 2018
Time: 9am - 4pm
​Admission $7     Kids under 12 are free
I'll be selling books, postcards and other items at this year's collectible show at the Delta Museum. Please stop by and say hello!