Warbird Information Exchange

Hi,

One perhaps for the American / Alaskan forum users,
looking to contact these two people.
Bob ran Catalinas in the fire-bombing role and Earl was
a pilot for him.

_________________
Simon D. Beck
http://www.uswarplanes.net
Author
The Aircraft-Spotter's Film & Television Companion (2016)
Fairchild C-82 Packet: The Military and Civil History (2017)

Simon,

Bob Schlaefli passed away on 24 Feb 2003 at the age of 80. News of his passing can be found here:
http://www.smokejumpers.com/obituaries/ ... ies_id=297
Additional information on Mr. Schlaefli can be found by performing a Google or Yahoo! search on: "Schlaefli" + "PBY"

Earl Belote was the pilot in command of PB4Y-2 Privateer, BuNo 59876, N6813D, Air Tanker 125 during its crash landing at Port Hardy on the northern tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada on 9 August 1975. The following is an excerpt from the Transport Canada Aircraft Accident Report: "One engine had been shut down due to rough running and after seven hours of flight other engines began to fail due to fuel exhaustion. On final approach on one engine the pilot considered he was too high and attempted a go-around for an approach to the other end of the runway. During the turn the aircraft struck the ground and came to rest in 15 feet of water 100 yards off shore."

This Privateer is now on outdoor static display with the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport near Detroit, Michigan. Additional information on this aircraft can be found here:
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/b24regis ... 59876.html
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ight=59876
For my complete history of this aircraft along with photos taken after the crash landing, see the July/August 1993 issue of Air Progress Warbirds International.

The aircraft suffered extensive damage when it crash landed and ran off the airport, through a fence and into the ocean. At high tide, the only part of the aircraft not submerged in salt water was the vertical fin. After three days, it was pulled ashore by a bulldozer and dragged back to the airport, suffering further damage. It was vandalized for almost 6 years while it lay abandoned. It was crudely sawn apart and then trucked to Michigan.

As for Earl Belote, I have no information concerning his whereabouts. A Google search on "Earl Belote" turns up two dubious leads.

Please let me know if you are able to locate Mr. Belote.

Todd

Todd,

Is "Belote" the correct spelling as opposed to "Bellotte".

He was a free-lance C-82 for Steward-Davis in the sixties and
apparently flew the C-82 transport plane for the Flight of the Phoenix
movie in '65. He also flew C-82's in the military as well. I'll try a
few more contacts I know. The co-pilot Ted whaley is still alive but in his 90's. Thanks for the piece of info you provided.

_________________
Simon D. Beck
http://www.uswarplanes.net
Author
The Aircraft-Spotter's Film & Television Companion (2016)
Fairchild C-82 Packet: The Military and Civil History (2017)