Warbird Information Exchange

So I'm on vacation this week in FL at Universal Studios, and as I write this I'm in the hotel lobby on the public computer.

But today I wasn’t expecting to see 2 individual Grumman Albatross' while braving the Incredible Hulk and Dueling Dragons Coasters! (And yes while I was on the coasters doing loops and rolls I was imagining I was chasing a zero. )

So anyways while there today I was in front of the Jimmy Buffet’s, Margaretville bar and wouldn’t you know it, his Albatross that he flew was there sitting looking pretty! I guessed the aircraft must have been put there fairly recently since the warbird looked like it could probably fly with a little TLC!

So that was my 1st shock until me and the family went on a little boat ride in the park that is also a shuttle to the 3 hotels connected to the 2 parks. One of the hotels, I believed called Royal Pacific had a second Albatross with a wing almost touching the beach right in its little personal bay! The strange thing about this one is that it had 4 bladed propellers on it!

Any info on these 2 birds? Thanks.

Chris

Mr. Jimmy B parked his a few years back when he had trouble justifying the flying costs. He did some pretty cool mods to the old girl while he was actively flying her.

I am a closet Parrothead and have followed his flying adventures for years. I could be wrong but I think this is the AC he was flying into Jamaica with some music execs for lunch and was mistaken for a drug runner. Was shot at and took a few hits. Wrote a song about it (Jamaica Mistaka) and laughed it off.

Somewhere I have the postings archived from Margaritaville and the Coconut Telegraph when he positioned the AC as a semi permanent attraction at his bar/restaurant. Will look for them tomorrow.

Eric

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More info:

http://www.margaritavilleorlando.com/LONEPALM.htm

And yes this was the AC he took the "hits" in.

http://www.margaritavilleorlando.com/LP_plane.htm

Where she sits now.

http://www.margaritavilleorlando.com/LP_gallery.htm

Eric

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Thanks GrumpE, interesting story!


Now if i could only find out about this second Albatross.

I have not had time to look into the other one yet. Hopefully someone else will know off hand.

By the way mista Buffett also had a Widgeon at one time and I think a Goose as well. He was inspired by the Blackcat squadrons flying PBYs and even wrote a book about a vagabond Goose pilot getting in and out of trouble in the Caribbean.

The Widgeon crashed and turned over on him in the water. He had gone on a VIP flight with the Navy sometime before that and after the crash claimed the escape training they gave him saved his life as he had no recollection of how he got out.

Oh to have tons of money and time. I bet I could get myself in some book worthy situations too.........

Eric

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Look again, I think it is a Goose or Mallard. If I remember right the props are fake and it may not have real engines..

Nope, she is real.

My younger brother sipped margs under the port wing last year and has pics. He said other than some very minor things she looks like a little work and you could turn her around and get to open water and be gone.

From the Registry
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/albatros ... 37928.html

From his website.

LONE PALM > Plane Facts

HEMISPHERE DANCER SPECS:
Type: Grumman HU-16C
aka: Grumman Albatross
Manufacturer: Grumman
Serial Number: 137928
Fuselage Length: 60' 7"
Wingspan: 80' 0"
Height: 24' 5" (weight dependent)
Horizontal Tail Length: 29'0"
Wing Area: 883 sq ft
Beam: 7' 11"
Service Ceiling: 25,000 ft
Empty Weight: roughly 20,000 lbs.
Max Takeoff Weight (land): 33,000 lbs
Max Takeoff Weight (water): 29,500 lbs
Max Landing Weight (water & land): 29,500 lbs
Internal Fuel Capacity: 1075 gals (internal wing tanks = 675 gal,
each float is actually a fuel tank and each holds 200 gals)
Additional Fuel Capacity: 300 gals per (2) MK12 external drop tanks (150 per tank)
Engines: Equipped with (2) Curtiss-Wright R-1820-76 engines. 9 cylinders / supercharged / carbureted with auto mixture control. Each engine produces 1425 HP on 115/145 octane military fuel about 1400 HP on standard 100LL (low lead AV gas) during cruise each engine burns about 50 to 55 gals/hr. At takeoff power each engine is sipping about 110 gal/hr.
Props: Hamilton Standard 43D50-3's - 11 ft. diameter
Range: Range is highly dependent on airspeed, head/tailwinds, weight, power settings, and altitude, but with the MK8 drop tanks range is around 2800 to 3000 NM.

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I was inside of it at Oshkosh a few years ago. So parking it must have been somewhat of a more recent thing. I think I saw it at Oshkosh in 99 or 2000.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

If I remember correctly, the book is Where is Joe Merchant? If you enjoy JB's music, you'll like his books, too -- Highly amusing!

Beachgirl,

You got it. For those who have read the book, I think I need a few of Desdamona's brownies today. Work stinks!

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Chris,
Come visit us at the Kissimmee airport and see our displays and aircraft while you are in town.

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Live to fly, Fly to live.....

GrumpE, I know the Hemisphere Dancer is real. I speaking of the Grumman quietly floating in the hotel lagoon down the road that you spoke of.

Whoops....

Sorry for the mix up on my part.

I really should stop half reading while on work teleconferences. Hope My boss doesn't check in today.

I have not seen that one. Warbird Kid did though.

Eric

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Shannon and I stayed at the Royal Pacific a few years back.
The Engines and Propellers are fake, The gear wells are covered over and the bilge pump runs every once in a while to help keep it afloat.

There was an aviation themed rest. in the lower level I think.

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"Hindsight is usually 20% off!"

Chuck thanks for the invite!

Sad to say i wont be able to make it this vacation around but i plan on it next time! Would love to see the warbird environment in Florida more.

Though i must say i did get to stop in at FoF and poked my nose around quite alot

I also got to talk to Ken Kellet (sorry if i misspelled it) who works with Weeks and flew in the movie Flyboys.

Thanks to everyones responses.