Mon May 28, 2018 3:31 am
Mon May 28, 2018 4:13 am
Mon May 28, 2018 10:47 am
Mon May 28, 2018 12:56 pm
therealJR wrote:I saw Ray Anderson but how about engine guys Marty King, Jeff Abbott, prop guys Karl Byam, Ronnie Langlois, master carb tuner Bobby Parker, Nathan Durbin at S&T, Carlos Gomez, Matt Jackson, Ray Krottinger, Denny Lynch, Chester and Russell Roberts, Phil Pedron, Tim Savage, Carl Scholl.
Tue May 29, 2018 12:13 am
Tue May 29, 2018 7:13 am
Wed May 30, 2018 7:44 am
Thu May 31, 2018 4:24 pm
Sun Jun 03, 2018 9:56 pm
phil65 wrote:Was Frederick Rentschler mentioned ?
Founder of Pratt & Whitney.
Mon Jun 04, 2018 12:57 am
Mon Jun 04, 2018 7:38 am
Tue Nov 13, 2018 10:05 pm
Pima Air & Space Museum wrote:David Compton Tallichet, Jr. was born December 20, 1922, in Dallas, Texas to Margaret Williford and David Compton Tallichet.
At an early age, his leadership skills surfaced when he organized the Sunshine Club. The club's members all lived on Armstrong Avenue, where David grew up. He was an entrepreneur at this early age as well, selling magazines and Christmas trees, and he even had a concession at local football games.
David attended the University of the South, the University of Texas, and Southern Methodist University. He was a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity.
With America's entry into the Second World War, David signed up for military service. Pursuing his love of aviation, David joined the United States Army Air Force. Following cadet training, David was commissioned a second lieutenant, assigned to fly the four-engine Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber.
David was based at Thorpe Abbotts, England from February 1945 to June 1945. There he flew with the 8th Air Force, 100th Bomb Group, 350th Bomb Squadron, also known as "The Bloody Hundreth." After V-E Day he was assigned to fly a C-47, ferrying fighter groups and personnel from England to occupied Germany. Returning to the United States, David joined the New Mexico Air National Guard, flying P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft.
While flying Mustangs in 1948, David was offered a position with the Hilton Hotel Corporation which he accepted. In 1955, David became General Manager of the Lafayette Hotel, located in Long Beach and owned personally by Conrad Hilton.
In 1958, while still managing the Lafayette, David and four other individuals obtained a lease with the Port of Long Beach. Later that same year, The Reef Restaurant opened. That was the beginning of Specialty Restaurants Corporation, which would go on to encompass over 100 successful restaurants located across the nation.
David is credited for creating the industry's first theme-concept restaurant chain. The theme restaurants had to be located on the water, a hill top, or by a runway. The names and concepts had great variety. David's creativity was not only with restaurants, but with theme shopping centers as well.
While increasing his business and starting a family, David never lost his love for aviation and history. It was in the late 1960's that he acquired a P-51 Mustang. That was the beginning of Yesterday's Air Force and the Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation. David would go on to be the world's largest collector of privately-owned WWII aircraft with an inventory of over 120 planes.
David's passion for aviation would take him around the world. Hollywood called upon him. His planes were flown in many films, including the B-17 in the "Memphis Belle", Corsairs in Baa Baa Black Sheep, a B-25 in Hanover Street, and a B-25 in The Young Kennedy.
In July 2007, David flew his B-17 to an air show in Willow Run, Michigan, where he was honored as the last WWII combat pilot still flying one of these very rare aircraft. He also received the Life Time Achievement Award from The Airpower Museum at Republic Airport in Long Island, New York.
14 of David's planes are here at the Pima Air & Space Museum, either on display or undergoing restoration, continuing the legacy of a truly great man in the history of aviation preservation.
David's passion was his work. He loved to fly his warbirds, to ski the slopes of Highlands in Aspen and to enjoy long weekends in Palm Springs. David was a true entrepreneur in every way. He loved the challenge. He will be missed by many.
David C. Tallichet, Jr.
December 20, 1922 - October 31, 2007
Sat Nov 17, 2018 1:47 am
therealJR wrote:I saw Ray Anderson but how about engine guys Marty King, Jeff Abbott, prop guys Karl Byam, Ronnie Langlois, master carb tuner Bobby Parker, Nathan Durbin at S&T, Carlos Gomez, Matt Jackson, Ray Krottinger, Denny Lynch, Chester and Russell Roberts, Phil Pedron, Tim Savage, Carl Scholl.
Sat Nov 17, 2018 2:09 am
Mon Nov 19, 2018 7:02 pm