THE VILLAGES, FL — Henry Childs runs through the checklist in the cockpit of his Grumman GHSS. He switches on the power, extends the wings, then turns on the turbo jets. He sets the elevation to 65 feet and calibrates his GPS. Then he flips on the strobe lights and the flashing red tail beacon and he’s ready to take flight.
Among 50,000 golf carts in The Villages, the Green Hornet is unique. According to the ‘official’ history, this CIA spy plane built during the 1970s was designed to fly below the radar and work in stealth mode as an ordinary Yamaha 4-seater golf cart. The plane flew more than 50 top secret missions in North Korea, North Vietnam and other as-yet-undisclosed hot spots. After losing its Top Secret status, the Green Hornet has been a trophy of celebrity airplane collectors (though Chuck Yeager reportedly said it was the “slowest damn jet I ever flew!”) Its cameo in a James Bond film never made it past the cutting room floor.
The tall tale behind the golf cart was created in the spirit of the fanciful historical markers that are part of Villages lore. “A lot of people would rather believe that than the fact that I just made it in my garage,” Childs says.
The native of Stow, Massachusetts has invested about 500 hours in the project, including countless trips to Home Depot. The engines are made of 6-inch PVC pipe, disposable paint pots and 5-inch computer fans from Radio Shack. The nose cone was created from a plastic garden cart and a large salad bowl. The authentic instrument panel was assembled from salvaged aviation parts. In addition to the tail light and LED running lights the engines sport lighting that mimics the blue flame of a jet aircraft at moderate thrust.
From the control panel, Childs can raise and lower the wings (useful when passing other golf carts on the Morse Bridge), control the lights and deliver a blast of authentic jet wash over twin Bose 151 speakers. He’s prepared a special recording of German beer hall tunes for the Oktoberfest parade.
Childs first flew in air force pilot training program, where he had experience in the T-34, T-28 and the T-33 jet. “When I got out I got a private license. I flew as long as I could afford to. I flew mostly the Grumman Cheetah and the Tiger. This project came about because I joined the Villages Hangar Flyers Aviation Club and its golf cart drill team. The other guys have wooden props and mockups of engines but this being the jet age I decided I wanted to make it a real jet.”
The Green Hornet attracts a crowd wherever it goes, Childs says. It’s also a way to entertain grand children when they come to visit. “It’s a real conversation piece. Everywhere I park people come up and take pictures.”
“The Villages is so great. It’s no wonder they call this Disney World for adults. Where else could you do something like this and not be thought of as a madman?”
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This feature is brought to you by The McDonald Agency, your Villages Allstate insurance agent. The McDonald Agency offers golf cart insurance from $6 a month. For more information, visit the McDonald Agency or call (352) 259-3825.
