Warbird Information Exchange

I regret to inform all of you that David Tallichet passed away today, October 31, 2007.

You all know of his exploits, accomplishments, controversies and more. I knew him as my best friend's father.

Without question every one of us that has ever looked longingly or lovingly at a warbird, in whatever condition it is in, owes a debt of gratitude to David. Some of you even have an airplane because of David's foresight and vision. He is among a handful of individuals that can be attributed as a true pioneer in the warbird movement.

We also owe him a debt of gratitude for his bravery by serving as a pilot of a ETO B-17 during WWII.

After serving in the military, David worked for a while for Conrad Hilton before forming Specialty Restaurants Inc in the late 50's. Many of you have visited his aviation themed restaurants located at various airports around the country (94th Aero Sqd., Proud Bird) as well as other fine eating establishments which he created.

David and my father knew one another and were friends before Bill and I met at boarding school. It was only after Bill and I became best friends that we learned of the connection between our fathers. Life works in funny ways sometimes.

I had the honor of taking David and his sons Bill and Jim for a pleasant day of sailing this past July.

Rest in peace David...Now you can go flying with my father once again.




Steve Guilford...>>>>

Rest in piece Dave... thank you for giving so many of us your passion and some amazing stories to boot. You will be missed!

(Raises the glass to the West)

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

Steve, your Dad was one of the people that I met when I first came into Warbirds. Thanks for the story on David Tallichet, I had heard of him, been in some of the restaurants, but never met him and didn't even knpow he was a B-17 crew.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Rest in Peace

Sad news indeed, next time I fly over Thorpe Abbotts I will remember David.

Sad news

He was instrumental in saving a great numbers of airplanes.
To that alone we should be thankful

I met Mr Tallichet in Ft. Worth, at a B-17 Co-op meeting, nice guy.

Our prayers are with his family.

Z

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Zane Adams
There I was at 20,000 ft, upside down and out of ammunition.
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I had the pleasure of talking to Mr. Tallichet several times at Geneseo over the years. He was very interesting and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Eric

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The air resounds from the Rolls-Royce roar!
To an enemy the warning is dire: here only eagles soar,
and the last thing he'll see is a mirrored Spitfire!

All of us who enjoy warbirds and this site, owe Dave a great depth of gratitude. He really was one of the key figures in the beginning of the warbird movement.
I always enjoyed talking with him and was the recipient of his generosity many times.
I'm proud to have known him.
He will be missed.
God Speed David, and thank you.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

A true pioneer of the movement.

Condolences to family and friends.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Godspeed,
B

Our hobby has lost another great man. It would be nearly impossible to fully grasp the positive effects that David Tallichet had on flying and the Warbird community. I'm just glad that he did what he did.

Blue skies and tail winds always, David.

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Thank you and Blue Skys Mr Tallichet.

Never had the pleasure of meeting Dave but I will never look at another warbird again without pausing and silently thanking Dave for all of his efforts with preservation i nthe early years of the warbird movement.
Thoughts go out to his family and friends.

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Cheers,
Peter

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Definitely sad news. The warbird community will be forever indebted to him for all of the great contributions.

I met him about 17-18 years ago when he was flying "Delectable Doris". I even still have the oil stained shirt from walking behind her to unplug the APU after she started up, man those were the days.

God Speed David.

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Col Craig Duck
Life Member CAF
Life Member YAF
Life Member EAA