DOSSIER: July 2004

The seventh annual Bond Collectors’ Weekend brought an eclectic group of Bond aficionados from across the country to sticky Miami.  These globe-trotting fans included this reporter (Ian Fleming Foundation [IFF] member Colin Clark,) and CommanderBond.net  frequent contributors John “zencat” Cox,  Athena “AthenaOO7” Stamos, and Charles “Bryce OO3” Axworthy.

Matt Sherman and his wife Janine (who’ve teamed with Charlie Axworthy for a 2012 fan event, “The Bondover”) guided a tour to over 50 James Bond film and locations in south Florida.  The many Licence to Kill hotspots in Key West included the Harbor Lights Raw Bar (Bimini’s “Barrelhead Bar”), Ernest Hemingway’s home (where M strips Bond of his MI6-issued license to kill), and other now private and exclusive places such as Felix and Della Leiter’s home (from their poolside wedding reception).  We also toured the Coast Guard’s USCG Sector West, depicted in the film when Sanchez is shackled, and Milton Krest’s luxury yacht WaveKrest plunges into a dock.

Though much fun to see, this last location was referred to as “The Death March,” due to the sweltering heat combined with an almost endless trek across the tarmac of the military base.  However, being escorted by a uniformed Coast Guard officer and Paul Meyers, locations arranger for the film, made it all the more worthwhile.

“If I don't get you back in time for the wedding, I'm a dead man for sure!”
After a grand dinner and evening in Key West, we changed our planned return to Miami for Goldfinger and other locations, to tour Sugarloaf Key.  The Key was seen in the HALO jump and dive in Tomorrow Never Dies, as well as the site used to film Franz Sanchez’s kidnapping of Lupe Lamora just before Bond pursues his escape plane off the runway.  Several planes used in the film waited.  As our bus approached the tiny airport, we spotted Franz’s Cessna C-172 in all its tattered glory.

This famous airplane, used in the pre-titles of Licence to Kill, existed now only as a cheap prop for a skydiving company advertisement.  Beaten by the salt air, sun, and even hurricanes for twenty-two years, this once exciting but now haggard relic of Bond history begged for rescue.

Our group swarmed over the plane like an ant colony of fans, scurrying about and exploring its shell. We imagined ourselves in the film, even mounting the fuselage like OO7!

Some suggested the IFF add the plane to their already splendid James Bond archive, as one of the Foundation’s great interests is acquiring and restoring on-screen vehicles.  The LTK airplane, though in need of major restoration, seemed a perfect fit.

MISSION: February 2011

“Sanchez is taking us to the heart of his operations. I've been setting it up for years!”
Ian Fleming Foundation Vice President Doug Redenius, and strong advocate of preserving OO7’s history, was finally able to acquire the “helicoptered” plane after long negotiation with the skydiving company.  A proven “problem eliminator,” Doug’s covert skills and unending charm (and some cold, hard cash) finally won the day.

I have a long history with IFF vehicle restoration, and I work in the aviation industry.  So it must have been a logical and easy decision for Doug to ask me to assist in the retrieval, transport, and restoration of the Cessna.  I was honored.

“I'm afraid this unfortunate Leiter business has clouded your judgment! You have a job to do! I expect you on a plane this afternoon!”
After the purchase of the plane was completed, we flew from Chicago on a frigid morning only to deplane in sultry Miami a few hours later.  No time to waste, we rented a 26-foot box truck and continued our four hour trek to the SugarLoaf Airport.

We arrived early evening and were pleasantly surprised to see that that Dan Haggerty (aerial coordinator on Tomorrow Never Dies and Licence To Kill) had kindly moved the plane from the highway’s frontage to the airport proper.  He also had the plane’s wings removed which saved us hours in dismantling the plane for highway transport.  Thank you Dan!

“Leave it to the Americans! It's their mess. Let them clear it up.”
We now enjoyed “everything for a man on holiday”, though were a bit flummoxed as to how to fit an airplane about 27 feet long and 9 feet high into a cargo space just 8 feet wide, with the truck floor standing 5 feet off the ground. We surveyed the area and didn’t see Felix and the DEA shooting it out with Isthmus City henchmen, but neither could we find a makeshift ramp. Doug then suggested using the detached wings as loading ramps.  Pure genius!  Any scars or damage could easily be repaired at IFF’s workshop.

We began loading the plane into the truck.  It was awkward to say the least, and our muscles strained with the effort.  As we slowly made progress, a passing jogger who turned out to be a Delta Airlines Captain on break, stopped to watch. He said the plane’s sale and move from the airport was a hot topic amongst the locals.   The loss of this Western Keys landmark had even made the area newspaper.  A sad as he seemed to see the movie icon leave, he was also pleased and heartened to learn of its new and bright future with the IFF.

So now, three long days in a box truck!  It wasn’t that bad.  We enjoyed the questions of the curious on-lookers from Florida to Illinois.  We also saw more double takes than Bond did when he drove Q’s gondola through the Piazza San Marco.  What else should we have expected from gawkers of an airplane’s tail sticking out of the back of the truck!

EPILOGUE: Now

Due in large part to the dedicated and passionate work of IFF volunteer associates, the Sanchez Cessna was restored akin to its 1989 Licence to Kill stunt condition.  Work was finished in September.

Holes in the wings and fuselage were repaired.  Loose paint and corrosion has been sanded away and repaired.  All systems are “go” with any missing flight-control surfaces replaced and installed. Fresh Plexiglas on the front and side airshields allow fans a view of the cabin, and the entry latches now operate properly. The deteriorated engine firewall has been repaired and overhauled, and the entire cabin interior was cleaned and reworked with care.  Each of the three tires and the landing gear assemblies were inspected and serviced. The Cessna has been repainted to return it to its film movie state, including all correct markings and decal work.

IFF’s latest acquisition will be ready for 2012, commemorating James Bond’s 50 years in cinema, the 60th anniversary of Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale, and the 23 years of Bond on-screen since Licence To Kill was released.

Faithfully submitted, Colin Clark Ian Fleming Foundation