KNOXVILLE FLYING BOATMEN
(Click on image for larger view)
(Chris Early) (Chris Early/Jim Whaley) (1956)
In 1953, in Knoxville, TN, a United States Air Force (USAF) Colonel named Scott Fellows, from the nearby Air Force Base, approached a group of boating enthusiasts about establishing a precision boating team. Col. Fellows envisioned such a team duplicating, on water, the intricate maneuvers of the military flying teams of the era.
Thus was born the "Knoxville Flying Boatmen". Dixie Loy, a local marine salesman, became their Commodore and was instrumental in their growth and tremendous success as a very popular performing marine group. Mr. Loy represented the Feather Craft boat line at the Knoxville marine dealer Athletic House and later at Magnolia Marine. His connection with Feather Craft boats, Johnson motors and Gator trailers I'm sure was paramount in this combination being the standards of the Knoxville Flying Boatmen.
These Knoxville boatmen had already learned that the Feather Craft "Vagabond" was one of the most stable and durable hulls available and this was what was required for their demanding high speed maneuvers. Apparently the Feather Craft "Rocket" model was also tried, but was not found to be as stable as the "Vagabond".
During the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's, the Flying Boatmen thrilled thousands in east Tennessee and the southeast U.S. with their performance of sweeping V's, echelons, four boat diamonds, figure eights and high speed spinouts. Their maneuvers required split second timing and involved continuous training as boats and drivers were thrown about with vigor and precision. The Flying Boatmen also appeared on national TV and in various boating publications as their fame grew. The group was kept at a maximum of twenty five (25) performing boats due to the manageability of that many boats in these close order drills. There was always a long waiting list of potential new members.
However, the last Feather Craft "Vagabond" was produced in 1959, and as the drivers became older, and no substitute boat could be found with the traits of the Feather Craft, the Knoxville Flying Boatmen organization faded away.
As late as 1992, Steve Early (son of original Flying Boatman Jim Early) attempted to rekindle the group with second generation drivers, but it too passed. To view Steve's two pristine 1959, Feather Craft "Vagabonds" click on to: Photo Gallery - 1959.
Some of the names of the Knoxville Flying Boatmen that I have are: Col. Scott Fellows, Dixie Loy, Jim Early, Lonnie Inman, Charlie Clapp, Max Burkhalter, Cleosis Cross, Ben Morton, Dee Edmonds, Harvey Edmonds, Jim Lowery, George Farmer, Rudy Rutherford, Bud King, Jim Cooper, Bud Stansberry, Jim Curtis, Bill Purdum, Joe Fowler, Walker Graham, Bill Fox, Paul Houston Sr., Delmer Gene Holt (Pudgy2) and Rossman Theodore (R.T.) Wolbach.
If anyone has additional information (particularly pictures) including names and memorabilia, regarding the Knoxville Flying Boatmen, please contact this site. - Thanks