With the completion of the Cumberland Municipal Airport many of the resident airplanes moved up on the hill, leaving Mexico Farms for the modern hard surfaced airport. Derr Golladay and partners Tom Shannon and Ed Eirich were the exceptions with their new Mexico Farms Flying Service offering aircraft rental, with two new Aeronca Champions, and flight instruction from Jack Delagrange. It was interesting to note that their aircraft rental rates were but six dollars per hour of flight time, the same as Rannells’ flying rental rate had been in 1940. In addition to being an Aeronca dealer they were also dealers for Republic Seabee amphibious aircraft.
An Aeronca Champ and a Republic Seabee offered for sale by the Mexico Farms Flying Service.
A recent photo of Derr Golladay.
The Seabee was manufactured by Republic Aircraft Company, producer of the P-47 ‘Thunderbolt’ fighter airplane of WW II. Republic widely advertised the Seabee creating a fashionable interest in the aerial amphibian. After some political maneuvering the Cumberland Mayor and City Council gave permission for Seabee operations on Lake Gordon, the city water impoundment located north in Pennsylvania. On a Sunday afternoon several officials and prospective buyers were given rides and exposed to water operations. Later it was learned the Seabee was under powered and that the demonstration performances were not too impressive. No one made a deposit for a new Seabee and the demonstrator airplane was flown on to Pittsburgh. Although the airplane offered many advantages and was ruggedly built, its production life was short. Most Seabees have been converted to larger engines, some even with two engines, and are considered desirable airplanes today.
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Wings Over Cumberland 