by Doug Rozendaal
Haven't we all dreamt that all those long hours at the office would pay off some day, in a really big way. We would just set out on a warbird shopping spree. Let me see... start with a Mustang, a B-25 would be good; I heard a TBM is a nice flying airplane. For that British flavor a SeaFury with a Centarus engine is a bloody fine bird, Occasionally we need lift, a C-123 would haul the Hum-Vee. What about the lake? Add an Albatross. Let's just see if these jets are all they're cracked up to be, stick in a StrikeMaster. There would be more, many more, and there are, in the Hangers of AmJet at Anoka County airport in the Twin Cities.
AmJet is a company owned by Minnesota industrialist Wally Fisk, which collects warbirds and supports the BAC 167 Strike Master with parts and technical expertise. That collection has grown rapidly to include all of the airplanes listed above plus many more, both flying and in restoration. Wally's airplanes include several award winners. The airplanes that are not in award winning condition are moving in that direction under the watchful eye of Bob Monahan, the vice-president and general manager at AmJet.
AmJet does not operate as a warbird museum and does not seek airshow appearances. They do accept invitations to airshows and flight breakfasts, but seldom commit to appear. Wally said " We don't want to compete with the CAF and other non-profit museums who use airshows as their income." Any one eating their quota of fly-in flapjacks in the upper Midwest has probably seen one of more of the collection as they drop in for short visits. The Amjet airplanes normally drop in briefly, and continue to their weekend hideaway airport in Central Wisconsin called Warbirds North.
Warbirds North is a private airport north west of Spooner Wisconsin owned by five familys including the Fisk's. Over the past years it has grown and been improved to include three runways, the longest being 5000 feet. Warbirds North provides a place for the Amjet crews to maintain proficiency in the many different aircraft types they fly.
For 4 years, Warbirds North has held a local, by invitation only, open house for friends and neighbors. This year's crowd was treated to a impressive display of exotic airplanes. The Grumman Albatross, The BAC Strikemaster Jet, The Fairchild C-123 Privateer, well as the Hawker Seafury, North American P-51 Mustang and 3 B-25's were present to name a few. Most of the Amjet birds were present plus a few guests'. We had been invited to bring the CAF, Southern Minnesota Wing, B-25 "Miss Mitchell" to the gathering.
The menacing clouds that were towering in all quadrants kept many other warbirds home in their hangers, but only a small shower materialized in late morning. The abundant, heavy iron present provided adequate underwing cover from the weather. Sweet Corn and sunshine followed the shower, and the afternoon was filled with the flying of all the various warbirds present.
Wally graciously offered our crew a ride in the Albatross. We splashed down in a nearby lake a few times. All aboard were stricken with what is referred to at AmJet as the "Albatross Grin". What a magnificent airplane. She is so graceful, more comfortable than your living room and bigger too. She went on the water so smoothly. Just a light tug as the keel caught the light chop and she settled into the lake. Wally turned around and said, "Don't you love it?". I did.
The take off was textbook. Wally nosed her into the wind and wound up the Wrights. The bow came up, the water flew, and in moments we were on the step accelerating. The boat became lighter and lighter and then, as if someone had let go of the rubber band holding us back, we broke free from the grip of the water and became a plane again.
Later in the afternoon Larry Mullaly and I flew our B-25 demo. We then joined up with AmJet's B-25 and another guest's B-25 for a few formation passes. It was my first landing in the bomber on grass. What a treat. Over the trees, point the nose down wipe off the power and pull back. Whoosh went the tires in the soft grass and the smile comes across your face faster than the nose comes down. It makes anyone look like an ace.
Back on the ground Wally asked Larry and I if we would like a splash down in the Albatross. After a pondering pause of about 2 nanoseconds we responded in unison with a resounding "Absolutely". Ronnie Gardner, widely known warbird pilot and check pilot in a very long list of airplanes, was to be our instructor. We preflighted the Big Grumman Boat. Using all the restraint I could muster, I endeavored unsuccessfully to appear calm, cool, and unexcited. I am certain I looked like a 10 year old at a Go-Kart track.
The before start checklist went smoothly and the big Wrights came to life without complaint. I had strapped myself in snugly to ensure I would not bounce up and down from excitement in the soft comfortable left front seat. Repeating to myself, "Don't screw up, engage the brain, be calm, smooth, slow and deliberate. Some say the Albatross flies just like a Gooney Bird. I do Gooney Bird's. This won't be a problem."
A yellow light on the panel labeled "replenish prop oil" illuminated shortly after start. It had flickered on the previous flight and was attributed to sticky float in an oil tank. We checked the level in the system after the last landing and it was fine. As we brought the power up to taxi we anticipated that it would go out. It did not.
The excitement was waning. Prudence dictated that we shut down and check it out. We did and found oil running out of a prop seal. Without saying anything we all knew we were done for the day.
The excitement turned rapidly to disappointment. It was like being on the family room floor with your best girl friend and your parents arrive home a day early from vacation. Oh well, there will be another day to fly the Albatross.
Oh by the way, remember my dream? In my dream the airplanes never break.
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