A Selection of the aircraft used to transport visitors to and from Killarney Lodge, Ontario, Canada

Fruehauf Trailer Company had a number of planes used to ferry guests to and from Killarney.  Frequently friends and business associates would arrive in their own planes to enjoy dinner and socializing

 - For more information on the Grumman Mallard click here

Grumman Mallard N1208 (C/N J-44) Passengers disembarking on the ramp at Killarney.

Aviation Consultant, Mark Dinan shares a personal story of Killarney

"I grew up in Sudbury, Ontario and my family has a camp in Lake Panache, (Lake Penage) which is located about 30 miles west of the city.

"While spending every summer on the lake, I became friends with Walter Bellchambers. We fished together often at Bass Lake and also completed a 7 day canoe trip one summer through Killarney Provincial Park and made a trek to the top of the Killarney Mountains, Silverpeak.  Walter spoke often of his friendship with Roy Fruehauf. In a sense of deep gratitude, Walter was very fond of him. He also often mentioned Ruth Fruehauf and spoke highly of the children.

"Through Walter, I learned of the aircraft fleet which Roy Fruehauf owned and I became fascinated with airplanes.  As life progressed, I became a pilot and I now fly for a major air carrier.

Grumman Mallard N1208 (C/N J-44) entering the water from the ramp. Privately owned Republic SeeBee parked in the background.

This aircraft is still in operation today flying for Chalk Airways of the Bahamas

Grumman Mallard N1208 (C/N J-44) on the take-off run in front of the lodge in Killarney. Republic SeeBee parked on amphibious aircraft ramp and tail of Noorduyn Norseman in the foreground.

"The last time I saw Walter was when I arrived at his dock with a floatplane as I was working for a floatplane company based in Sudbury.

"An old friend of mine inherited Walter's cabin after he died. It has been some years since I was last there but at that time the old cabin was still standing. A new camp has been built on the island.  I went into the old cabin on that visit and I saw the signed pictures which were given to Walter by the Fruehaufs. They hung very prominently in the main sitting room.

Ruth Fruehauf with Baby Randall and Walter Bellchambers

"There was also a radio in the room which was a gift to Walter from Roy Fruehauf. I can't remember the name if the manufacturer but undoubtedly, the owner of the factory was a friend of Roy's. On the radio was a small plaque. Inscribed on the plaque were the word's....

"'Made expressly for, and stolen from, Roy Fruehauf'

"I still chuckle when I remember that inscription.

"Walter was very precise on his recordings in his daily diaries. Reading through those diaries, there were countless passages written about the activities in which Walter was involved with the Fruehauf clan. 

"Walter said that Roy liked the fact that in the north, there were people who didn't tremble and bow to whatever Roy Fruehauf said and it was a nice place to be out on the water fishing, being with the guys. Walter valued his friendship with Roy Fruehauf very deeply."

For more information on Walter Bellchambers and Lake Penage please click HERE

Clowning around, a friend pulls a prank

Noorduyn Norseman with a fishing party on a secluded Killarney area lake.

Grumman Mallard N1208 (C/N J-44).

Lockheed Lodestar was the finest airplane of choice for corporate executives

Roy Fruehauf at Willow Run Airport, boarding the Lockheed Lodestar

When the Lockheed Lodestar was first released it was considered the creme de la creme of private aircrafts, according to our aviation consultant.  Fruehauf's Lodestar was involved in a tragic crash in 1965.  Read the article in the Miami News
Still considered as one of the finest of the propeller airplanes of its era, there are many enthusiasts who collect and restore Lodestars.  

Grumman Mallard N1208 (C/N J-44) on the take-off run at Killarney Lodge.

Noorduyn Norseman was Canadian built in Montreal in the 1930's through to the 1950's.  This aircraft was extensively used by many militaries in WWII.  As an aside, the big band leader Glen Miller was killed in WWII as a passenger in one of these aircrafts, flying across The English Channel. 

Our Aviation Consultant, Mark Dinan reports on the actual history of this plane. Built as a Mk VI Norseman, 1207 had the shortest military life of any PI owned Norseman.  It was deployed to the Continental Air Force directly from the factory in June 1945 and retired in October, just 4 months later.  Declared "Excess" she went to the Reconstruction Finance Corp. and sold to I.J. Enger, Minneapolis, MN, and registered as NC41340.  In Nov. 1960, it was sold to Fruehauf Trailers, Detroit, MI, and re-registered as N1207.

Foreground: Noorduyn Norseman N1207, (C/N 841) Background: Grumman Mallard N1208 (C/N J-44)

All Captions and aircraft history provided by Mark Dinan, 
Aviation Consultant to Singing Wheels 

Email Mark Dinan