Tallmantz Aviation Guestbook

Submitted by
Name: Werner Meyer
From: Venice Fl
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"I graduated from the The Manhatten High School of Avaition Trades In 1953.
We learned about rigging bi planes on a Grumman Gulf Hawk and Navy N3N.
Both planes were dissasembled and reasembled each simester.
If I am correct the Gulf Hawk, 982V was used by Al Williams for air show work. It was later sold to Tallman Mantz when the school was relocated, circa 1960. I have been told it now resides in the museam.
Any know if it does?
Werner Meyer"

Added: 25-Oct-12

Submitted by
Name: Clark Cook
From: "Rocklin, CA"
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"I had the honor of working at Tallmantz Aviation from 1983-1986. I felt I was more than an employee, but part of the family. My first ever airplane ride was in the Waco most likely flown by Jim Appleby in the 1960's. This definitely fueled my passion for aviation. With over 35 years in the industry, I am currently a maintenance tech for a major airline. I also own a production company, specializing in air shows and related events in which I founded 8 years ago. The people of Tallmantz will forever remain in my heart and memories."

Added: 22-Sep-12

Submitted by
Name: Bob Hiser
From: "Huntington Beach, CA"
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"I had the pleasure and honor to work for Tallmantz Aviation during the late spring & summer of 1971. My supervisor was Jim Appleby; my job was working part time during the week for the Movieland of the Air. I work to clean the aircraft (dusting) and cleaning the oil pans under the engine/s. My fellow employees and jokesters no less were Bob McNeese, John Gradishar, and the Senior member of our group; I forgot his name. My tenure was short approx. 7 mos. but I was pleased as stated and honored to be associated in some small way with Frank Pine, Frank Tallman, and James Appleby. All Truly the "Knights of the Skies"."

Added: 20-Sep-12

Submitted by
Name: Craig Fritts
From: "Kansas City, MO"
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"Thank you for posting the photo of the Catch-22 Pilots. I just found this - my dad was Willis Fritts - one of the pilots. We went down to Mexico with him when the movie was filmed - great memories as a kid. "

Added: 11-Sep-12

Submitted by
Name: Harper Poling
From: Oregon
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I was in the USNR at Glenview in Squadron VF 724 when Frank brought the Sopwith Camel to Glenview. He was a pilot in VF 724. I remember fixing a crack in the cowl of the Camel and I watched it take off.

Added: 26-Aug-12

Submitted by
Name: Mark Galoustian
From: Pasadena CA
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"I worked at Tallmantz Aviation from 84-86 & 87-88, some of my best memories in my life are from working at TM. I was finishing aircraft mech school when I first got the job at TM. I helped work on '42B' a couple times with one of the WW2 mechanics, learned a lot, it was an honor to work with a veteran. I was also honored to talk with Mr. Pine several times before he retired. I can still see him smoking his pipe in the office. When the museum was sold to Mr. Shenanigans (KW) I was temporarily assigned to help with the removal of the items. It was sad to see the end of an era, 'KW' was a real 'tool' to work with, he was so bad I couldn't finish my assignment so I was transferred to police helicopter maintenance. I continued to work on police helicopters until I retired 2 years ago. The only reason I left TM was because they sold the company to Mr. Seven, he ran the company into the ground, it was a shame to see such a historic company go away. Thanks for bringing back great memories!"

Added: 11-Jul-12

Submitted by
Name: Norman Ellis
From: "Laguna Hills, CA"
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
My first job in Orange County in 1966 was dusting the aircraft at the museum and in turn received rides in the airplanes. I still have black and white pictures of the museum inside and out. Please feel free to contact if you would like more information.

Added: 3-Apr-12

Submitted by
Name: Jamie Scarpuzza
From: "Ann Arbor, Mich / Los Angeles"
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"Although not a pilot myself, my dad flew bombers in the war, was an instructor at Spartan school (Tulsa,Ok), flew for Pan-Am, TWA & American, then went on to work 30 years for the FAA. As a kid, seeing movies like Flight of the Phoenix, Spirit of St. Louis, Strategic Air Command, Island in the Sky, etc. made me fall in love with aviation movies, and intrigued by the pilots in them. Today, I work in the motion picture industry as a Production Sound Mixer, but have NEVER lost my love of aerial photography. As you probably know, the actual footage of Paul Mantz's death crash can be seen on Youtube, if you search on the words "Paul Mantz crash"."

Added: 13-Mar-12

Submitted by
Name: Brian Tait
From: "Ontario, Canada"
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"I am seeking any info...particularly photos and recollections of the various Nieuport 28's owned variously by Paul Mantz and Frank Tallman.

Of particular interest is anything dating from the 40's to 60's of the Nieuports as they sat at Mantz's Orange Country airfield (they would have been in derelict condition at that point), or anything on the restorations of the planes by Tallman or as sold to Cole Palen (1956) or Ray Folsom (late 60's I think)

TY
Brian"

Added: 24-Jan-12

Submitted by
Name: Bob McNeese
From: Colorado Springs
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
"Glad to see your back online. Former Movieland of The Air employee, now MD-88/90 Captain at Delta. Did you hear that Jim Appleby passed away last year? Complications from hip surgery."

Added: 16-Dec-11