PEOPLE

Big bird comes home

Historic Grumman Albatross
returns with a distinguished crew
Posted May 25, 2001

by Hall Anderson
Ketchikan Daily News

(reprinted here with permission)

KETCHIKAN—When a Grumman Albatross flew into town last week and landed in Ward Cove, it brought a little Ketchikan aviation history with it.    Alaska Airlines pilot Terry Smith, owner of the largest and last amphibious model Grumman made in the 1950s, brought along distinguished crew members who have played a part in Ketchikan’s aviation history.    Crew member Jay Ellis is the nephew of Alaska aviation pioneer Bob Ellis, who founded Ellis Airlines, a company that merged with Alaska Coastal Airlines of Juneau and eventually Alaska Airlines.   Jay Ellis was a mechanic for Ketchikan-based Ellis Airlines and later a station supervisor for Alaska Airlines in Juneau. Smith’s wife, Terri Ellis Smith, is Jay’s daughter. She lived in Ketchikan through her junior high years.    Leon Snodderly, who also grew up in Ketchikan, was
an Ellis Airlines Grumman Goose pilot and later a pilot for Alaska Airlines.		Captain Terry Smith
Gene Heath, who also grew up in Ketchikan, flew for Ellis Airlines, too, and later made the transition to Alaska Airlines as a pilot.    Bob Ellis’ son Pete, a Ketchikan attorney, said the Albatross was never licensed for commercial use. But the aircraft were in demand by the military and the Coast Guard in Alaska used them for patrol and air-sea rescue out of Annette Island, Sitka, Kodiak and other locations, Ellis said.    "It’s a neat airplane," he said.    Smith bought his Albatross nearly a year ago in Santa Rosa, Calif. It features retractable wheels and can land on water or runways. Smith said he has been flying this particular Grumman for 11 years, and has spent about $375,000 so far to restore it. The plane cost $30,000 to produce in 1955 and was one of two commissioned by the United States Navy for service in Antarctica.    He plans to add a couple of beds to the long interior to add to the comfort of their planned long-range world travels with the plane. It currently has seating capacity for 14.    The aircraft is 60 feet long and has a wing span of 80 feet.