Photograph courtesy of The City of Saint Petersburg.
Historical photos of the original Benoist airboat that made its first commercial flight over the Tampa Bay
It’s called an airboat for a reason!
The airboat flew just three feet off of the water
Process
3D Rendering of MGA’s Benoist Airboat
First Flight specs:
Medium: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 46’ W x 27’ L x 28’ H
Weight: 16,000 pounds
Completion: 2020
Sparkly flying!
Tony Jannus waves to the crowd of onlookers
Carving the figures for bronze casting
Carving the body of Mayor A.C. Pheil, who accompanied pilot Tony Jannus on the first commercial flight, out of expanded urethane foam
The carved figures of the Mayor and Tony Jannus in different stages
Mark references historical photos to inform his process
The early carving stages: roughing out the figures
The detailed carving is continue by the Master Sculptor, Mark Aeling
The figures are nearly ready for mold making
3D rendering of the sculpture as it will appear finished
After the pieces are waterjet cut, they are labeled to ensure correct placement
The team assembles the first wing
Brian cleans up the welds
Waterjet cut pieces laid out and ready for assembling the second wing element
The frame of the second wing involves many connection points for a strong sculpture
The first wing complete with perforated skin, gussets for reinforcement, and vertical supports that will support the wing above it
Detailed rendering of the final airboat to scale
A view into the wing with the bottom layer of skin applied
Wingspan assembled
Smaller support pieces are cut out of excess material. No waste in this shop!
Tony Jannus covered in plasticine clay in preparation for mold making
Creating the Benoist at the St. Pete Pier: In commemoration of the world's 1st scheduled flight.
Burt Moreno. 10 Tampa Bay. December 8, 2020. ClicK the link above to read more!
The tailpiece full of rivets is coming together
Moving the wings outside was an all-hands-on-deck effort
The completed wing structure will remain outside to make room for the fuselage construction until install
THe 46’ wingspan will be mounted atop this support structure - the skeleton for an elegant wave that reflects the airboat’s takeoff and landing on water
That’s a mighty fine propeller right there!
The wave form that conceals the support structure had to be disassembled and reassembled in the studio for fitting.
Assembling the entire sculpture onsite before installation onsite
New Sculpture on Display on St. Pete Pier Honoring First Commercial Flight.
Ashley Paul. Bay News 9. December 8, 2020.