Warbird Information Exchange

Okay, here they are - big knucklehead finally delivers. I hope bdk can be persuaded to post some of his detail shots too.

Opening ceremony, US Air Force Honor Guard with National Anthem.


PoF P-40 and P-51 flyover, opening ceremony.


Opening remarks by David Tallichet's son.


Opening remarks by David Tallichet's son.


Crew member Richard Oliver's widow Linda, with son.


Alfred Hagen, partner of David Tallichet in the salvage of Swamp Ghost.


The unveiling by family members of the original crew: son and widow of Richard Oliver, daughter of other crewmember; salvager Alfred Hagen, wife of Dave Tallichet, and Tallichet's son.


Unveiling, Swamp Ghost revealed.









Mr. Brandon Kunicki, aka bdk. Thanks for your patience Brandon!











It was a respectful event for all involved. Well, she's safe and cared for now. Lots to look forward to in the future.

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384th Bomb Group, Inc., Member
http://www.384thbombgroup.com/
http://384thbgveteranssigningproject.blogspot.com/

Great pictures. Thanks for posting them. It will be interesting to see what the restoration/preservation plan is going to be. Personally, I don't know how I'd like to see it restored - pristine or as it landed in the swamp. I'd rather not see it become a flyer though. A nice setting in a museum with displays describing her history would be nice...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

That photo ought to scare the kids all right! Attention bill collectors, please use the spelling of the last name above when filing court papers!

And your photos are at least as good as mine if not better!

BTW, the forward fuselage on the trailer was spotted in the POF parking lot this morning so it has already left Long Beach. No idea how long it will be in Chino.

I have one simple request to who ever restores it, wether it be a flyer or static.


NO CHEESY NOSE ART!!!!!!! NO CUTESY NAMES!!!!!

Thank you!

I second that motion. That would be awesome, though from a "branding" point of view, that kind of thing does lend itself to folks buying stuff to support it.

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: The Doolittle Raid Remembered, ShortStudio.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

Apparently has departed Chino already for points unknown. Maybe check I-10 eastbound?

I was hoping they would paint Casper on the side with big "Swamp Ghost" lettering encircling the cartoon for the unveiling, but was seriously disappointed!

Great news, and great pics everybody!

She certainly has been gutted. Were any of the internal fittings recovered with the airframe, or was she picked clean by souvenier hunters prior to recovery?

SN

Third. And the motion passes.

I'd say paint it in it's original markings. If it had no art during the war, the nose stays blank. Put some "nose art" on a poster next to the plane if you have to. There are very few surviving combat vet B-17s like Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby, Swoose, Memphis Belle, etc. (Not sure about The Pink Lady's markings?) and they're painted in their original markings. Why not this one?

I got chills looking at TriangleP's photos; it's almost like a time capsule. Remarkable how well preserved the plane is considering it's location for the past 7 decades. I wonder if the trailer carrying the fuse could find it's way to Thunder?

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It looks awesome. Glad to see it out of the swamp. Is the work going to be done at Pima? I thought I heard Pima at one time.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Programs

was this the b-17 that was burned sitting there?

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" I am a nobody in aviation, but somebody to my family."

I think this is the aircraft you are thinking of:

http://www.aerovintage.com/forum/viewto ... ?f=1&t=541

http://taylorempireairways.com/2009/10/ ... singalemu/

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-17/41-9234.html

Nobody would even think about doing such a thing would they?

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Hang The Expense

I apologize for mangling your last name Brandon, I should know better how to remember peoples names by now, I've fudged so many of my friends names, I just come off looking really poor. Thank you for your patience, good humor and helpfulness, as always!

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384th Bomb Group, Inc., Member
http://www.384thbombgroup.com/
http://384thbgveteranssigningproject.blogspot.com/

i totallly agree , "DID SHE HAVE NOSEART " if not dont muck her up leave her alone
i for 1 would love to see her fly
but we all have to understand her history= she is truly 1 of a kind and cannot be replaced,

if she is a display i personally would love to see her displayed like she looked on the day she crashed ,but definatly not in the swamp
if a flyer even better

Absolutely wonderful!

Whatever "They" decide to do with her Bless 'em for getting her out of the swamp so she can be preserved.

SPANNER

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Support Your Local Warbirds! KBO!
The only reasons the airplanes matter is what the veterans did with them... and why.