Who is John Mayes of Austin, TX?

[Rajay]

Who is John Mayes of Austin, TX and why is he apparently buying up many (at least 3) of the former Chalk's G-73 Mallards?

N611SS, serial no. J-11

N130FB, serial no. J-30

N7356, serial no. J-56

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=611SS

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=130FB

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=7356

Especially when N130FB is a Frakes G-73T turbine conversion, N7356 is a (last I heard) "airworthy" G-73 still equipped with R-1340 radial engines, and N611SS was a still-radial equipped G-73 that was severely damaged by a hurricane (blown over onto its back and bent all to hell.)

Is he trying to corner the market on spare airframes just in case Frakes and Mallard Aircraft make a real "go" at producing new G-73T aircraft?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[MrWidgeon]

Don't know anything about him, but I can see a use for those 3.
He flies J-56 and uses the center section of J-11 on J-30 (if it's in better condition after repairs) and there you are ....2 flyable Mallards comparatively cheap.

Bill