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In April 1980, several aviation friends and I visited some parts of the USA, on a month long aviation tour. We had bought a National Airlines pass and went from Amsterdam, via London-Heathrow, on National Airlines DC-10-30, N83NA, to Miami. After spending two weeks in the Miami area, we vistited San Juan, P.R., Saint-Thomas in the Virgen Islands, the Los Angeles area and Houston International airport.
Below, I focus on our visit to Naples, Municipal Airport. |
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On April 4, 1980, we went in style, onboard Provincetown Boston DC-3, N130PB, to Naples, FL.
Morning departure of flight PT1809 to Naples, FL.
Overview of Palmetto Express Lane (West Miami) as we climb away from Miami International for Naples, FL.
Morning arrival over Naples, FL.
'Our’ PBA DC-3, N130PB, pauses between flights.
She is listed preserved in pristine condition and painted in Continental 1950 colors at the Lone Star Flight museum.
N31PB, a DC-3A, receives mechanical attention in front of the Sekman Aviation, Naples, Inc. Hangar.
She is listed stored in poor condition at Ocumare, Venezuela, in Aeroejecutivos colors, since 2003. Coincidencely, I flew in this DC-3 with Aeroejecutivos form Caracas to Los Roques and back in February 2002.
N33PB, still in basic Naples Airlines & Provincetown – Boston Airlines color scheme, on a broiling Naples, Florida ramp in April 1980
She is listed damaged beyond repair in a ground loop accident, somewhere in Venezuela, while operating for Aeroejecutivos in 1992.
N38PB on the tranquil Naples Municipal Airport.
Mind the right-hand pax door, a feature of some pre-war DC-3's. She is listed on display in the Tulsa Air & Space Museum.
Naples Martin 4-0-4, N40415, between flights at her Naples, FL. base.
Naples Martin 4-0-4, N40425, sitting pretty at Naples, FL.
This Martin started flying for TWA in 1952. She is listed scrapped at San Juan Airport in Tolair colors after 2003.
Heat shimmers on a Naples Municipal Airport taxiway as Martin 4-0-4, N40415, crawls along under the intense Florida sunshine in April 1980.
This Martin started flying for TWA in 1952. She is listed in storage at Polk City, FL. aviation museum since 2007.
Douglas DC-3, N845MB, looks like a candidate for cannibalization or the nearest dump, but ....
This 1943 built C-47A was later converted by Basler as a BT-67 Turbo Prop for the Colombian Police.
Collier County Mosquito Control C-47B, N844MB, lounging in the sunshine at Naples, Municipal, FL.
WHO KNOWS WHAT HAPPEND WITH THIS DC-3?
N9049P / N31 has found its way to the scrap heap.
During 1984 her carcass was being used to supply spares for the survivors.
Tucking-up her wheels out of Naples, Municipal, is Douglas R4D-7, N846MB, still wearing her FAA uniform.
During 1984 she was parted-out at Naples.
In April 1980, N840MB, was still a working girl.
This 1943 built C-47A was later converted by Basler as a BT-67 Turbo Prop for the Colombian Police.
With a midday temperature of 40 degrees centigrade, Collier County Mosquito Control C-47A, N842MB, is seen here parked at Naples, Municipal, on April 18, 1980.
N842MB was constructed as a C-47A-80-DL by Douglas at Long Beach, California, USA. After being damaged beyond repair, due an inflight fire, on March 15, 2001, she found her way to the Salvage area at Warner Robbins AFB Museum.
N5076N resting at Naples, Municipal, FL.
This Curtiss, which briefly flew for Lufthansa in the mid 60’s, was listed stored and presumaly chopped-up at McAllen, TX, in the early 90’s.
Naples Martin 4-0-4, N40423, being loaded for our flight, PT1814, to Miami.
This Martin started flying for TWA in 1952. She is listed, presumable, broken-up at Higuerote, Venezuela in Rent-Avion colors after 2001.
After a couple of crashes, confidence in the airline was lost and the company was losing money. Finally PBA filed for bankruptcy in 1984.
- The End -