Antilles Air Boats acquired various aircraft for support of its core business. The story of each is incomplete and I will continue to research for additional answers. I have personally spoke with other knowledgeable AAB personal regarding each and answers vary. Some were for spares and some flown in support. If anyone finds any additional information please pass it on. Current info below.
Thank you to Charlie Freehling and Anthony Gagliani for their assistance.
N2812G
This aircraft moved around from one owner to another during the late 50's early'60's until it was seized by U.S. Marshalls in Puerto Rico in 1962. In auction it went for less than $20. It found its way to STT were I believe Charlie Blair saw a deal in the making. The FAA records indicate Fishwick being the last official owner. He sold it to AAB for parts and there was no intent to make it airworthy. Read a little more....
N11249
This aircraft was another that never flew at AAB. The aircraft records indicate it arrived in Puerto Rico in 1971, sold to Busan Air in early 1975 and then to AAB in late 1975. In June of 1978 AAB sold it to Fred Wheeler, who happened to be an AAB employee running the engine overhaul shop "Caribbean Aeromotive" in San Juan. This aircraft operated PW -R95 engines like the Goose.
Then a new owner from St. Maarten in early 1979 before selling to another person in Puerto Rico in 1981. The aircraft finally left the Caribbean for the states in 1982.
This aircraft saw 6 more owners in five more states before final flight in 1987.
All those owners and the only photo is the derelict fuselage sitting in Kansas.
A sad life of N11249.
Unfortunately, the only available photo of N11249 was in its last days in Kansas
N6763X
AAB operated the S25 Sandringhams for tours...marketing it as a FLYING BOATS CRIUSE. The 6 day tour ran down island to Antigua, St. Lucia, Martinique and St. Martin. The Cessna 310 was to be used to shuttle flight crews to the S25 as required. Only a few tours actually took place and the Cessna never was utilized as planned. The aircraft was utilized to bring the San Juan Star from Isla Grande to St. Croix on Sundays. N6763X also did some charter work. More to come.
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photo by Steve Bell - AAB pilot (Steve flew the C310...when he was not in the G73
Virgin Island Airways /Bill Bohlke
The Sandringham's didn't arrive in the islands until 1975, so N6763X would have been at AAB mid 70's
N169E
This aircraft shows it was registered to Don Schell and Bill Sorrens c/o AAB. Don and Bill were both senior pilots at AAB. We see pictures of N169E on the ramp in STT. Did they make a deal with the boss to keep it on the ramp or was it utilized in AAB ops? The Don Schell story below says he flew the company single engine plane on floats.
The NTSB report of 5/i31/71 indicates Wheeler Air Service was a Pt. 135 operation in 1971. The pilot was 26 year old. Was that Don Wheeler?
The partnership of Schell-Sorren opened the registration 2/25/69 and closed it on 3/10/72.
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Bill Sorren
not actual aircraft -- type only
