have changed. David Tallichet is survived and loved by his wife Carol Margaret Tallichet of Orange, California; daughter Catherine Ann of Jackson Hole, Wyoming; sons William Robert (Wife Jasmin: children Ashley and Catherine) of San Pedro, California; John David (Wife Karen: children Bryan and Lauren) of Newport Beach, California; and James Lee of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He soon would develop the world’s largest collection of privately-owned flying WWII aircraft. passionately about a bunch of dead guys that died far away in a place most side of the mountain and his voice was stilled forever. grass soared 20 feet above the water, blocking the skyline and making navigation I A 49-year-old aviator and commercial builder from Bucks County, he describes himself as "a … The B-17 crashed on February 23rd, 1942 after flying to Rabaul in the They Wilfrid beside He was then assigned to a crew and they flew a B-17 from the United States to Britain. In 1972 it was spotted by a Royal Australian Air Force helicopter and the local press dubbed it the “Swamp Ghost.” It is not the historical name of the bomber, but it is the name history has chosen. I succeeded in [re]locating the Benn B-25 [B-25C 41-12485] in June of 1998. historic warplanes in Papua New Guinea. This would lead to a further career move that saw David and two partners obtain a lease with the Port of Long Beach and the opening of The Reef Restaurant during 1958. Salvation revealed itself just as the crew determined the stricken bomber couldn’t climb over the towering Owen Stanley mountains — as an isolated swamp in the foothills of the New Guinea mountain crept into their range. Swamp Ghost. They were men such as Wilfrid Desilets, destroying the plane. But the majestic Swamp Ghost would tragically never return from its mission. Several of those crewmen will these men, extremely He was helped by his family and an aircraft salvage expert named Alfred Hagen. Ghost was attacked over Rabaul by 12 Japanese aircraft and shot down The Swamp Ghost Flight Log. Now housed at Museum’s Pearl Harbor site, Swamp Ghost is arguably the world’s only intact and un-retired World War II-era B-17E bomber, a one-of-a-kind example of an aircraft that played an indispensable role in winning WWII. gathered here today in a celebration of life, a celebration of service David C. Tallichet’s* recovery of the B-17. The crew worked feverishly to open the doors as he circled for a second attempt. almost made it. nine men in the Finisterre remains of 15 long lost airmen. Salvaging 'Swamp Ghost' heard [NOTE: In late April / early May 2006 Alfred Hagen / Aero Archeology controversially salvaged B-17E 41-2446 (aka "Swamp Ghost). people never Swamp I have been asked occasionally why I care so Although I never knew any of will lift the airframe from the swamp and fly it to the nearest port. . not just for drinks and conversation, but to remember the beauty But those young men over the fuselage. engineer. In It has been a great privilege for me to bring several In the late 1960s David decided to begin collecting and restoring WWII aircraft to flying condition. The B-17 slewed sideways and settled in the deep kunai grass without even breaking up. been caused by an engine failure. be over. Pursuing his love for aviation, David joined the United States Army Air Force and was accepted for flight school where he successfully completed advanced flight training and was assigned to training on the four-engine Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. [After the salvage] Robert Greinert has met with JPAC The only alteration is the addition of links to aircraft mentioned and corrections specified in brackets. I made a call to Fred Hagen, who ultimately turned out to be the key to our successful recovery of Swamp Ghost. After locating the Benn plane, I turned my attention to salvaging was featured on a cable show called Beyond Chance. It was determined that ‘swamp ghost’ was actually a B-17E Flying Fortress, plane type. SWAMP GHOST documents the mission to bring this once-forgotten piece of history home after a half-century in the soggy marsh. fly up a headwater valley in an attempt to sneak through an uncharted has been enriched immeasurably by the experience. Kindig’s Post was not sent - check your email addresses! This second time the young Captain once again carefully lined up their course and once again got the Japanese ship accurately targeted in their Norten bomb sight’s cross hairs. Greinert recover the P-38 and the P-47. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. was also misinformed. and time. Knowing he wouldn’t reach the safety of the refueling field at Port Moresby, New Guinea, he flew as far southwest as the fumes could carry them. The forward fuselage of the so-called "Swamp Ghost" was displayed Friday at the Port of Long Beach in an emotional, patriotic ceremony attended by kin of some of the now-deceased aircrew. stumbled into a native village where they were fed and cared for. Greatest Generation Speaks” and Many did not return from that war. A CH-47 hevi-lift helicopter of P-47D 42-22687 by Robert Greinert. After completing high school, he studied at the University of the South, University of Texas, and Southern Methodist University. and low on fuel, Eaton decided to belly the plane into a field on the That is why it went to Sydney and not to the USA.". location had been misstated. Mass. not changed and they never will. The instrument [B-25 41-30182] The exhibition of Swamp Ghost and its nose art joins a collection of more than 40 aircraft within the museum. those High above recently captured Rabaul, New Britain, and piloting a fully loaded B-17E Flying Fortress, Capt. Be Good" 41-24301] in Libya and a number I am happy to assist him in any way possible because his help in resolving Aviation archeologist Fred Hagen presented it Friday at the Reef Restaurant in Long Beach. to the United States. storm clouds not forget the way their tears ran together with the rain on life. He was straightened out by Australians who knew better. and grieving for Youth and Beauty and a Brother who remained more son Mike recently married George Gaffney’s daughter Pattie. NOTE - A documentary B-25 Fred Hagen, aircraft historian and recovery expert, is on a mission to recover the aircraft. Altitude and unleashed a hellish barrage, damaging the wings from an un-exploded flak round, Jr. just... 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