Frank Tallman and actor George Peppard
Actor George Peppard and Frank Tallman photographed in 1963 or 1964, during the time Tallman flew for the film The Carpetbaggers in which Peppard starred. This photo was shot at Boron, California, on location for the filming. (James Rogers Collection)
Paul Mantz and Otto Timm
Noteworthy photo that shows Paul Mantz and Otto Timm together. Otto Timm was an important figure in the early years of aviation and among his achievements was that of an aircraft designer. He took on the design to the 3/4 scale Phoenix that ultimately took Mantz’s life. This photo was probably shot in mid 1965 as the Phoenix was being finalized at Orange County. Reports, notably by Don Dwiggins in Hollywood Pilot, have stated that Mantz grew the goatee for the film sequence where he doubles as Jimmy Stewart, an assertion that doesn’t really make any sense but has become part of the story. (James Rogers Collection)
Tallmantz Promo Photo
A promotional photo for Tallmantz that shows the primary B-25 cameraship with the Disney CircleVision camera extended. That’s B-25 pilot Frank Pine in the inset. (James Rogers Collection)
Boeing 100 N873H
Great photo showing what Tallmantz Aviation was all about. A camera is being mounted to the Mantz Boeing 100 for some sort of filming mission with, evidently, Tallman in the cockpit getting ready to go. (James Rogers Collection)
Morane-Saulnier
James Rogers notes that when this photo was taken, this Morane-Saulnierorane-Saulnier was actually owned by actor George Peppard. Frank Tallman taught Peppard to fly this airplane prior to their departure for work on the Blue Max circa 1965. Tallman is not generally credited in working on that movie…it was during the period he lost his leg. James notes that the guy pulling the prop through is Bob Markawitz, but he might mean Bob Siemieniewicz. We need to verify all of that. Does anyone have any details to add? (James Rogers Collection)
Waco UPF-7 N30141
The Waco UPF-7 that Tallmantz operated in the 1960s selling barnstormer rides for a few pennies a pound. Several Tallmantz pilots flew the airplane on the rides, including Jim Appleby. I need some more names here, and who’s flying the airplane in this photo? (James Rogers Collection)
Frank Pine and A-26C N3457G
Tallmantz pilot Frank Pine in the cockpit of A-26C s/n 41-39401, then operating from Van Nuys as N3457G. At this point the airplane was owned by John R. Moore, and it was named, obviously, Whistler’s Mother. This A-26 later went on to Challenge Publications for a brief period, and is now owned by Kermit Weeks. The circumstances of this photo are unknown, but the uniform worn by Pine would suggest it was during a filming session. Anyone out there with further information?
Update: Chris Brame provided the following: “…the A-26 was probably shot during the filming of the uncompleted Whistler’s Mother movie. The way I heard it, there was a lot of second-unit footage of the plane shot before the project was abandoned.” (James Rogers Collection)
David Jesse, Tallmantz Pilot
P-51C NX1204
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Mantz’s famous red P-51C was safely tucked into a corner of the museum hangar. It got rolled out once in a while, as this photo shows. I would make an educated guess and say that the engine was not started on this airplane after about 1951 or so. It is now back in the air, thanks to Kermit Weeks. (James Rogers Collection)
P-51C NX1204
The ex-Mantz racer as seen in the 1963-1964 time frame. Most of the Tallmantz collection remain outdoors on the infield until the Movieland of the Air hangar was completed in late 1963 or early 1964. And, the P-51 shows it…a bit worn and faded. (Photo by Harry Standel)
Frank Tallman and Boeing 100 N873H
Nice photo of a youngish Frank Tallman settled into the seat of Mantz’s old Boeing 100. This photo was probably taken in the first year or two after the 1961 merger. (James Rogers Collection)
Frank Tallman, George Peppard, and Larry Hagman
Actor George Peppard and Frank Tallman again, with actor Larry Hagman, he of I Dream of Jeanie fame, on the left. Not sure when this photo was taken, but probably about the time of the filming of The Carpetbaggers. Any details? (James Rogers Collection)
Boeing 100 N873H
Paul Mantz obtained one of the few purpose-built civil Boeing Model 100s in the mid 1930s. N873H had originally been built in 1929 as a test ship and demonstrator for Boeing’s own purposes, and then went to the Boeing School of Aeronautics at Oakland, California. After Mantz got ahold of it, it was used as a camera ship and no doubt also appeared in front of the camera many times. It came with Mantz into Tallmantz in 1962 and, in this 1963 view, was painted as an Army P-12. (JD Davis photo)
Boeing 100
And, here is a 1968 view of the Mantz Boeing 100 now painted as a Navy F4B. I have not confirmed this, but it is apparent that Frank Tallman fell in love with the nimble little biplane, and he probably had it repainted in Navy colors to reflect his own naval heritage. There are a number of photos of Tallman flying this airplane. It remained with the Tallmantz collection until sold to Kermit Weeks in 1985, but the airplane was severely damaged in Hurricane Andrew in 1992. At last report, it is the subject of a long term restoration back to flying condition and remains registered. (JD Davis photo)
P-51D N5467V and B-25N N9456Z
Interesting 1963 photo showing Mantz B-25 cameraship N1203 in the foreground and Frank Tallman P-51D N5467V on the Tallmantz ramp. This Mustang was purchased in February 1958 from USAF surplus stock by Frank Tallman and he flew it for the 1960 film Wake Me When It’s Over. Tallman subsequently used it to commute between the Torrance Airport and Orange County Airport after he merged his operation with Paul Mantz. And, also of interest, this photo shows ex PMAS B-25N N9456Z in company colors and, in the background, the soon-to-be primary Tallmantz camera ship, B-25N N1042B, in unpainted, unmodified condition. (JD Davis photo)
DC-3 on Tallmantz ramp
Unidentifed DC-3, used for air-to-air scenes shot for the 1973 film Lost Horizon, seen on the Tallmantz ramp in 1972. Tallmantz B-25N N1042B was used as the camera platform for filming. Though this DC-3 remains unidentified, a closer view suggests that the aft cargo door may be just paint markings and not an actual cargo door, suggesting possibly a right handed fuselage door and a civil DC-3? We await expert opinions. (JD Davis photo)
Stearman PT-17 N53422
Stearman PT-17 N53422 on the Tallmantz line in 1963. JD Davis reports this airplane was built in 1941 with an Army serial of 41-8093. Details of its acquisition by Tallmantz are unknown at this time, but the airplane is currently on the FAA registry owned by Warren Johnson of Ashton, Illinois. (JD Davis photo)
