Tallmantz Aviation Guestbook

Submitted by
Name: Kipp Woodbury
From: "Mountain Home, Ar."
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"My father was stationed at El Toro for the last 9 of his 1941-1965 years as a pilot in the Marine Corps. I was always facinated with the PBY's that were parked on the west end of the Tallmanz property, before the museum opened and enjoyed the couple of times I toured the planes and museum before my dad retired and the family moved back to Ark in 1965. I was truly saddened to here of Paul's death. Being raised in a flying family, I can appreciate the dangers and rewards of flying untested aircraft. Despite his death, the "Flight of the Phoenix" has always been a favorite movie. Until I read the article, I was unaware of Frank's death. As a Boy Scout in Newport I was privileged to have met them both at one of the shows that were staged during those years at the OC Airport. Thanks for the web page and the information that brought back fond memories. Thanks Kipp Woodbury"

Added: 15-Nov-08

Submitted by
Name: Craig McCormick
From: "Henderson, NV"
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"Frank Tallman's son Gifford was my best friend from grades 1-8, and we spent most weekends at the museum. I have many 35mm color slides of Mr. Tallman's P-40N, and many of the B-25's painted for Catch-22. I keep meaning to have them put on a CD, but have not yet. I also have an origional Dec 14-15, 1963 Movie Land of the Air Grand Opening day poster. You may be interested in copies. Very nice website, with lots of fond memories for me!"

Added: 12-Nov-08

Submitted by
Name: Steve See
From: Mississippi
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"I apologize if this has already been posted, but footage of the Mantz crash is on youtube. Search for the movie title from the home page. "

Added: 28-Oct-08

Submitted by
Name: Brian Johnson
From: Farnham Surrey UK
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"I hired Frank and Walter Pine to fly their B-25 on "Dragonslayer" 1981. We flew at low level from Orange County to various airfields as far up as Washington via Arcata/Ureka etc. Walter Pine started me on my Twin Engine rating [I got about 10 hours total] all in the LHS of the B-25, while in transit to the new locations. What a blast. We spent best part of 10 flying days getting the shots. The evening meals were spent reminiscing about Paul Mantz, Frank Tallman, with Frank, Walter and Jim Appleby, various near misses/scrapes etc. Dammit I should have taped it all! They were great guys and I miss those hours in the B-25 and the crew that allowed me to realize a dream. And Paramount/Walt Disney for paying the bills! "

Added: 11-Sep-08

Submitted by
Name: Douglas E. Monroe
From: "Pasadena, Ca"
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"My favorite museum ever. I loved going down there anytime I could con a ride. I'd go in and fly the helicopter game, started out bad but got real good after many quarters. Also enjoyed the tail gunner trainers. The front had that AA pit with the old disk magazine Browning (Vickers?)and Walt Disney display by the ambulance. Always stopped at the balloon gondola from ATWI80D amd the DR1 which was my favorite thanks to the 'Royal Guardsman' who sang the hit 'Snoopy vs The Red Baron'

I enlisted in the Coast Guard for one four year hitch and got into an Aviation Rating and still work in Aerospace today.

Thanks so much for this site and all the great memories!

Douglas E. Monroe
AM3 USCG 75-79
Commander East Pasadena
American Legion Post 280"

Added: 31-Jul-08

Submitted by
Name: aerovin2
From: Lincoln
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"Ted, I'd love to have copies and will post. Send to sat@aerovintage.com

Thanks."

Added: 20-Jul-08

Submitted by
Name: Ted Fice
From: United Kingdom
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"Having been retired for over five years, one of my on-going projects has been to write my life story for my kids and grandchildren. I found your site when looking up info on Frank Tallman. I spent all my working life (48 years) in the aircraft industry after joining Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd. as an apprentice engineer in 1954 at the age of seventeen. I was lucky to be selected to help at the 1956 Royal Aeronautical Society's Garden Party held at the Vickers-Armstrongs Test Airfield at Wisley, Surrey in the UK. The main event of that day was a flying display of vintage and veteran aircraft. It was before that event that I met Frank Tallman, who was there to fly his Sopwith Camel. He was touring Europe on behalf of the National magazine. I remember that he was dressed to look the part, wearing a white silk open-knecked shirt, a silk scarf knotted around his neck, light-brown riding breeches and highly-polished brown calf-length boots. I still have my copy of the Programme with his autograph on the top of the first page of two about him and his aircraft. He was certainly a larger-than-life character but also a pleasant man happy to give his time to talk to us youngsters. I would be happy to scan those two pages from my Programme and download them to your site if they are of interest and if you can give me an email address."

Added: 20-Jul-08

Submitted by
Name: Scott Thompson
From: "Lincoln, CA"
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"Les,

That area was the International Flight and Space Museum, the non-profit adjunct museum. It did have a B-50 fuselage, the "Lucky Lady II" that is now at Chino. There is a page dedicated to that museum on the Tallmantz page.

I also was a Costa Mesa resident...when to CMHS and graduated in 1972. Same story...hang out at the airport as much as possible."

Added: 15-Jul-08

Submitted by
Name: Les Thompson
From: "Costa Mesa, CA"

Comments:
"My family moved to Costa Mesa in 1965. Being into aircraft, I spent as much time as I could over at the museum. At one point there was a fenced area to the left as you faced the main building. There was a coin operated turnstile, think it was either a quarter or 50 cents to get in. You could wander around as long as you wanted in there. My younger brother and I sat in many of the planes, reverently touching the controls of these old airframes. Remember a T-37 and a bomber fuselage. Does anyone else remember this area? Also around every 4th of July, Mr. Tallman would fly around the area in an old Curtiss replica."

Added: 14-Jul-08

Submitted by
Name: Greg de Mocskonyi
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"I, too, was a fueler at Tallmantz back around 79-80, shortly after Frank's passing.
What a wonderful gig that was - for an 18 year old working on his pvt license. Marty, Boots, Frank - they were great people to work with and for, and I enjoyed listening to all the stories. Frank Pine in particular. I don't think I ever saw him in anything but oily coveralls. So much history there - it was like being a kid in a candy shop.
Thanks for the memories!"

Added: 19-Apr-08