Here
is a link to Timothy L. Smith web page about Kodiak and Kodiak
Airways!
and "Goose
Stories" (Kodiak Airways and the Grumman Goose)
Robert
Leonard stories concerning his experiences flying at Kodiak
Alaska
Here
is a link to Guy Denton's web page, he has
lots of Grumman Widgeon pictures.
This web page last updated:
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Kodiak Airways
Kodiak Airways Grumman Widgeon departing in 1953 or 54.
Kodiak Airways Hanger and Ramp 1953 or 54.
The Kodiak Airways Flag Ship (N58847) with the Alaska Flag on the
side.
24 April 06 This picture was backward. I corrected it today.
Kodiak Airways Grumman Widgeon landing in the channel 1953 or 54.
This is the Kodiak Airways Grumman Widgeon
coming ashore in 1953 or 54.
Kodiak Airways Flag Ship (N58847) with the Alaska Flag on the
side.
N68335 in front of Kodiak Airways Hanger and Ramp 1953 or 54.
Note the engines are running.
Richey Family and Ben
Benson designer of the Alaska Flag at the Kodiak
Airways Hanger 1953 or 54.
Left to right Ted Richey, Ben
Benson, Forest Richey, Scharlotte Richey
Kneeling left to right Jay Richey, Ray Richey. Background Widgeon
(N66432) see
Guy Dentons page.
Bob Hall owner of Kodiak Airways on hanger
ramp 1953 or 54.
The engines are running on the Widgeon.
Here is a
link to the City Hall Emergency Bulletin from 25 April 1964.
Look for the HEKLA AFLOAT paragraph for a
reference to the Kodiak Airways hanger.
In the back of the hanger at Kodiak Airways was a Bellanca that had been wrecked. The company build a mezzanine floor and moved the wings for the Bellanca there. My dad Jay Richey was an A&P mechanic and his job was to work on the aircraft. After they moved the wings to the mezzanine level he striped the fabric back until he could get to a good non broken rib. He used this to make a jig or pattern for new ribs. Ben Benson helped him build the new ribs. Once the ribs were repaired they fixed the wing and covered it, and reassemble the aircraft.
The also needed a new engine for the Bellanca so they bought a surplus trainer BT-13 from the army that had the engine they needed. They flew the trainer to the abandon Army airfield at Chiniak, Miller Field. They disassembled the aircraft, then ask the Navy for permission to tow the aircraft through the base to get to the town of Kodiak. The Navy people said "Well you can't land on Millers Field it is closed". They said "We have already landed and disassembled the aircraft and just need to tow it through the base to town". Well they let them tow it through the base. Again showing that forgiveness is easier to get than permission.
I received the following pictures from Steve Harvey
of the Steve Harvey Flying Service, Kodiak, Alaska.
I don't know if the pictures are before the aircraft was wrecked
or after my dad fixed it.
Here is Bellanca N251M in the channel
between Near Island and Kodiak. This is probable off the Kodiak
Airways hanger ramp.
From the Steve Harvey Collection.
Bellanca N251M (look under the wing and you can make out the N
number) being refuled in front of the Kodiak Airways hanger.
From the Steve Harvy Collection.
Bellanca N251M preparing for takeoff
probable on the beach in front of the Kodiak Airways hanger
From the Steve Harvey collection
Here
is a link to the aircraft today at BigSkyStearman.
Here
is another link to more information on N251M
Once the page is loaded search for NC251M it is about
half way down the page.
Another picture from Steve Harvey received 12
March 2007.
The crew just finishing up a complete
overhaul on N58847.
Steve Harveys Dad, Bill Harvey has his foot on the wheel and
Benny Benson is on the ladder.
Jay Richey my Dad behind the wheel.
The person with his back to the camera is unknown.
The photo is probably Jan or Feb 1954, because when they were
finished Bill Harvey flew N58847 to ANC (Anchorage) for some
radio installation.
His log book shows that trip in late Feb 1954.
Here is some more pictures of my dad when he
was at Kodiak Airways from Steve Harvey.
May 1953 Jay Richey
with the fire extenguisher, and N58847.
The person by the door with the hat I don't know.
The person in the door looks like it could be my brother Ted
Richey.
Received the picture 12 March 2007 from Steve Harvey.
Left is my dad Jay Richey, unknown.
N58847
From Left to Right, Bob Hall owner of Kodiak Airways, his wife
Helen, unknown, Jay Richey, unknown
Kodiak Airways Grumman Widgeon N58847
Again from Steve Harvey. His e-mail identified the aircraft as N58847.
If this is correct then this picture must have been taken before
the maintenance and new paint was given because it is sort of
dirty.
The two pictures above show it comming out of maintenance and it
is clean and shiney.
N58847, S/N
1339. Another air service, Kodiak Airways, owned by Bob
Hall acquired this Ranger powered widgeon in the early 50’s.
This was his first widgeon, named “Helen” after his
wife. Notice her name under the pilots window, and the
Alaska Flag painted on the bow by its designer Benny Benson who
worked for Kodiak Airways. Unfortunately this aircraft had
an engine failure on a trip to Chignik in January 1955 And landed
in Hook Bay where the surf destroyed the plane.
This does not really have anything to do
with Kodiak Airways but it is of Kodiak by Lilly Lake.
My brother Forest came home on leave from the Air Force. Summer
of 1953 or 1954.
Dad was working on the Super Cub (PA-18).
This was the last time we were all together until my Father died
in October 1979.
Standing left to right: Forest, Mother (Mable), Floyd, Ted.
Front kneeling left to right: Dad (Jay), Scharlotte, and me (Ray).