Aero Vintage Books

Does anyone have information about the B-17's in Tora,Tora,Tora and their pilots? Any help would be appreciated.

My Grandfather, George Burnett, was one of the pilots in the movie. I do not know much about the filming because I was only 4 or 5 at the time. I know that my family has an in-flight photo of one of the B-17's enroute to Hawaii for the filming. I will try to get a copy for your site.

Does anyone know what has become of another pilot, Don Clark? He was a very close friend of my Grandfather's. I last saw him in the 80's in Goodyear, Arizona during an air show. He was flying a B-17 that day was flown by my Grandfather in Alaska. There was an Alaska decal on the left front fuselage window. Any info on this aircraft would also be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan Meadows

I assume you've already visited this page?
Maybe Scott has more info.

http://www.aerovintage.com/tora.htm

Thanks Bill.

Yes, I have seen this site. Very nice photos. I was told, but cannot confirm, that the pilot of the B-17 that made the one wheel landing was my Grandfather. Again, I cannot confirm that. This was what I was told by my family.

Thanks,
Dan

Not very helpful but Gene Packard, one of the principals of Aircraft Specialties and, later, Globe, was still operating out of Falcon Field at Mesa, Arizona within the last 10 years or so. Don't know if he is still there or what his status is, but you might make an inquiry with the airport manager there to see if they can tell you anything.

Along the same lines, I am trying to determine who the two Aircraft Specialties pilot who flew for 1000 Plane Raid so I probably should take my own advice.

The Internet Movie Database site for Tora Tora Tora, located here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066473/fullcredits

lists six or seven B-17 pilots including George Burnette.

Thanks for the tips Aervin2.

I can confirm for you that both my Grandfather, George Burnett, and Don Clark were pilots for Aviation Specialties. I do not know about the others.


Thanks,
Dan

Gene is retired, but Ed Packard is still at Air Response. Other old timers still at Falcon include Floyd Stilwell at Marsh Aviation and Paul Lessaongang at Falcon Executive Aviation. I know this why? Because I just finished my photographic history book of Falcon Field. Stilwell told me the Tora, Tora, Tora story yesterday, but I've had no sleep for so long that I don't remember what he said other than he flew planes in it...or to it...or for it. Hmm.

But I still have lots of questions...

Is Clark related to Col. Julie Clark, the former Navy now aerobatic pilot?
What happened to Pete Miller from Miller Aircraft?
What happened to all the guys from Superstition Air Service?

Any answers are awesome. I can be reached at darylmallett (at) aol (dot) com or 480/275-0232. THANKS!

Cheers,
Daryl

The pilot who did the one wheel landing was Van Skiles of Commemorative Air Force- Gulf Coast Wing.

We are still scratching our chin on the re-wiring they did to modify TEXAS RAIDERS for that.
At some point John Hess (and others) flew TR up to Alaska... I believe in the 80's.

That was all WAY before my Warbirds time.

Van is still with us at GCW.

SPANNER

Just saw this post and wasn't sure if you ever found an answer on Don Clark. I actually had the pleasure of spending several hours with him today in Seattle and listening to him tell about his time flying the b-17. Just an amazing, humble man. Let me know if anyone still has questions and I'll see if I can get some answers!
julia