Tallmantz Mechanic/Flight Engineer Wayne Burtt, 1920-2021
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2021 6:02 pm
Wayne E. Burtt was probably the last surviving long-time employee of Tallmantz Aviation when he passed on September 4. 2021, at the age of 101 years. Mr. Burtt was a carryover from Paul Mantz Air Services when Tallmantz Aviation was established in 1961, and he was central in many of the subsequent projects undertaken by that company in the succeeding two decades. He can be seen in the background of many of the operational photos from Tallmantz at the time, usually working out some mechanical issue with one or another of the many aircraft in the Tallmantz fleet. He can be seen in the 1967 YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAICqfijgac) on the building of the Tallmantz Spirit of St. Louis replica, and served as a flight engineer on the many B-25 camership operations through the years. He was a major part in keeping the 17 Catch-22 B-25s operation in the 1969 filming effort in Mexico.
My intent was to do an oral interview with him and came close to arranging it several times at his home in Fullerton, but one thing or another kept me from it...something I greatly regret as much of the detailed history of Tallmantz went with him when he passed away. His passing was a great loss to his family and friends, but it also was the passing of a quiet aviation pioneer.
Here is Mr. Burtt with Tallmantz pilots Frank Pine and Odell Burton and two Tallmantz B-25s on an operational mission.
And here is copied the online obituary for Wayne E. Burtt found here: https://www.mcaulaywallace.com/obituary/wayne-burtt
Wayne Edmund Burtt passed away peacefully September 4, 2021 only days after celebrating his 101st birthday. Born in Alameda, California on August 30,1920, he was raised on a farm in Twin Falls, Idaho with his parents William and Stella Burtt. He developed an interest in mechanics and aircraft at a young age and, after graduating from high school, he left the family farm and traveled to Southern California to work in the aircraft industry prior to World War II. He served in the U. S. Army Air Corp as a Sergeant and was stationed in England, France, Belgium and Holland. He was awarded the Battle Star for the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to California after the war and married Mildred in Long Beach, his wife of 75 years. They moved to Fullerton in 1959 where they raised their three sons Richard, Randall, and Gregory. He spent his career with Tallmantz Aviation, at John Wayne Airport as a flight engineer for a company that did stunt flying for the movie industry. This allowed him to travel the US and the world as part of the flight crew. He had a mechanic’s skill and could fix anything. In retirement, he and his wife, Mildred, traveled the world and when at home in Fullerton, volunteered their time. He was a member of the YMCA, the Lions, and a deacon in the First Presbyterian Church. Whether it was someone in the Fullerton community, or a dog or a cat, Wayne and his wife always opened their hearts and home for those in need. Many have been blessed with their kindness. Wayne was loved and respected by all who knew him and although blessed with a long life, he will forever be missed by his wife, his three sons, seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren and all who have known him. The family wishes to express their thanks to the staff at Emerald Court Assisted Living, Legacy Hospice and his caregiver, Monica.
RIP Mr. Wayne E. Burtt
My intent was to do an oral interview with him and came close to arranging it several times at his home in Fullerton, but one thing or another kept me from it...something I greatly regret as much of the detailed history of Tallmantz went with him when he passed away. His passing was a great loss to his family and friends, but it also was the passing of a quiet aviation pioneer.
Here is Mr. Burtt with Tallmantz pilots Frank Pine and Odell Burton and two Tallmantz B-25s on an operational mission.
And here is copied the online obituary for Wayne E. Burtt found here: https://www.mcaulaywallace.com/obituary/wayne-burtt
Wayne Edmund Burtt passed away peacefully September 4, 2021 only days after celebrating his 101st birthday. Born in Alameda, California on August 30,1920, he was raised on a farm in Twin Falls, Idaho with his parents William and Stella Burtt. He developed an interest in mechanics and aircraft at a young age and, after graduating from high school, he left the family farm and traveled to Southern California to work in the aircraft industry prior to World War II. He served in the U. S. Army Air Corp as a Sergeant and was stationed in England, France, Belgium and Holland. He was awarded the Battle Star for the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to California after the war and married Mildred in Long Beach, his wife of 75 years. They moved to Fullerton in 1959 where they raised their three sons Richard, Randall, and Gregory. He spent his career with Tallmantz Aviation, at John Wayne Airport as a flight engineer for a company that did stunt flying for the movie industry. This allowed him to travel the US and the world as part of the flight crew. He had a mechanic’s skill and could fix anything. In retirement, he and his wife, Mildred, traveled the world and when at home in Fullerton, volunteered their time. He was a member of the YMCA, the Lions, and a deacon in the First Presbyterian Church. Whether it was someone in the Fullerton community, or a dog or a cat, Wayne and his wife always opened their hearts and home for those in need. Many have been blessed with their kindness. Wayne was loved and respected by all who knew him and although blessed with a long life, he will forever be missed by his wife, his three sons, seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren and all who have known him. The family wishes to express their thanks to the staff at Emerald Court Assisted Living, Legacy Hospice and his caregiver, Monica.
RIP Mr. Wayne E. Burtt
