List of Notable Warbird People

[Noha307]

Here's another list I have been adding to on and off for the past 3 years.

Basically, the idea is that this would be something like an encyclopedia. To put it another way, if someone who has no knowledge of warbirds wanted to know who the major people are who are involved.

Even though I have termed the list "Important Warbird People" it can really include anyone who has made a major impact in aviation history (other than the history makers themselves). I have considered labeling them according to whether they are early eccentrics, academicians, pilots, or wealthy benefactors; however, I have not gotten around to it. (Part of the problem is that there is a good deal of overlap in many cases.)

I would like to point out that a person does not have to be well regarded, or even liked to be on this list, simply “important”. This list also does not imply that everyone included is equal in stature or respect.

I've made the names links to Wikipedia pages where available, and added links to other references after the entry. The other references generally give some sort of support to the claim that they are "important".

List of Important Warbird People

• Bob Odegaard
• Ed Maloney
• Daryl Greenamyer
• David Tallichet [1]
• Frank Tallman [2]
• Jerry Yagen
• Kermit Weeks
• Paul Mantz
• Robert Greinert [3]
• Tom Reilly
• Steve Hinton
• Walter Soplata [4]
• Paul Poberezny
• Gerald Beck
• Lynn Garrison
• Cole Palen
• Charles Darby [5]
• Carl Scholl
• Taigh Raimey
• Ron Fagen
• Chuck Greenhill
• Mark Clark
• Ric Gillespie [6]
• Paul Garber
• Justin Taylan [7]
• Herb Tischler
• E. L. Mercer [8]
• Jim Lansdale [9]
• Bud Wheeler
• Dan Hagedorn [10]
• Joshua Stoff
• Stewart Bailey
• Robert van der Linden [11]
• Earl Reinert [12]
• John Larsen
• John Chambers
• Don Subritzky
• David Aiken
• Charles Harvard Gibbs-Smith
• Walter J. Boyne
• Ernie Simmons [13]
• Robert Mikesh [14]
• Paul Allen

The one category I was able to separate out was authors, so I have included them in a separate category below.

List of Authors

• Martin Caidin
• Scott A. Thompson
• Lou Drendel
• Tom Cooper
• Nicholas A. Veronico
• Barrett Tillman
• Richard P. Hallion
• Bill Sweetman
• Roger Freeman
• Peter M. Bowers
• Rene Francillon
• Bill Gunston
• Martin W. Bowman
• Robert Jackson

What do you think? Can you think of any more?

Last edited by Noha307 on Fri Sep 09, 2022 4:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[rwdfresno]

Boy, there are a lot that aren't on the list, and there are a lot of important people that don't have name recognition.

Some that come to mind.

Bill Klaers and Alan Wojciak (WestPac, obviously a premier aircraft rebuilder for the past few decades)
Jack Hardwick (early savior of a lot of warbirds)
Mel Christler and Morris Avery (later Dan Hawkins and Gene Powers, became Hawkins and Powers)
Clay Lacy
Dee Howard
Lloyd Nolen, Lefty Gardner, and CAF founding fathers
Sanders Family
John Muszala
John Lane
Tony Ritzman and Joe Davis (the other 2 founders of Aero Trader)
Warren Basler (Founder of Basler Turbo Conversions)
Stephen Grey
Doug Champlin
Howard Pardue
Lyle Shelton
Bill Destefani
Nelson Ezell
Doug Arnold
Jeff Ethell

[Christer]

It seems like Ray and Mark Hanna are missing from the list.

[mlenoch]

I would add Lee Lauderback

[jdankos]

Walt Ohlrich

[JohnB]

Nichols from Chino.

Dick Reade from Mid Continent Aviation, was one of the first to save old Stearman dusters and restore them for warbird use.

If you want to add WWI to your list, if so there ids another group...Palin , Javier Arango, Peter Jackson, etc al.

Rick Gillespie? The guy who's made a career out of not finding AE?

Authors....
Gordon Swanborough (a frequent collaborator of Bowers), and photographer William Larkins...every American warbird book has used his photos. James Gilbert from Flying magazine, and Michael O'Leary from Air Classics.

Last edited by JohnB on Thu May 04, 2017 8:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Mark Allen M]

Where's ...
- Scott Rose
- Jack Cook
- Scott Dennison
- Taigh Ramey
- Chuck Wahl
- A-26 "Special K' folks
- The Late Gary Austin
- Every dude who has posted information & photos in the RetroAviation Maintenance Hangar regarding a warbird restoration.
- Every greased up, knuckle bleeding, foul mouthed, hard working, hard drinking A&P dude.
- Anyone who has given a donation whether it be a dollar or countless numbers of dollars to any warbird group, organization or private owner(s).
- Any fan / enthusiast / historian / model building. They all contribute to keeping the flame alive.
- and my dad

just to name a few. "I'd like to thank my Mom & Dad for if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be here".

FWIW I do "get it" as to where your thoughts on this thread are directed. Nicely done so keep up the good work.

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Thu May 04, 2017 9:02 am, edited 1 time in total.

[K5DH]

I'd like to add the late Dr. William "Doc" Hospers to the list. Doc bought B-17G 44-8543 when it was retired from aerial spraying in Alabama and preserved it as an operating warbird. It was pretty unusual at that time for one man to take on such a project without support from an established aviation museum or other historical organization. From 1979 through 2015, this B-17 operated as "Chuckie", and today operates as "Madras Maiden". In 1990, Doc founded the Vintage Flying Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. Over the years, VFM has been home to many interesting warbirds, both static and flying, and that tradition continues today. Various warbird pilots and maintainers have cut their teeth under Doc's tutelage as well.

Maybe I'm biased, but I think Doc's contributions are pretty significant.

[CoastieJohn]

Gary Larkins?? He's recovered alot of aircraft. He's searched for I think he said over 100 and located/recovered many of those.

[Courier Sportster]

author Ernest Gann. i sure like that Fate is the Hunter book yes sir eee.

and Rinker Buck, oops not warbird. still a good read.

and if you mention Gillespie, then honorable mention to David Billings.
He's GOING to be famous.

[Warbirdnerd]

Bob Pond - In the early 90s he had the largest collection of FLYING warbirds (30+) Planes of Fame East- Now Palm Springs Air Museum. Has hangars at Planes of Fame and Pensacola named after him and helped fund the restoration of POF's P-38.

[bdk]

Earl Reinert
William T. Larkins
Joe Baugher
Stoney Stonich
Paul Poberezny
Jimmy Leeward
Supe Hoisington
Clay Lacy
Daryl Greenamyer
E.D Weiner
Chuck Lyford
Bob Hoover
Dave Zeuschel
Bruce Boland
John Sandberg
Randy Sohn
Tony LeVier
Trans Florida Aviation

[Nathan]

-Leon Cleaver-saved some 2-3 dozen full or partial airframes and a barn and house full of parts.
-Jack Cook-without pictures and history behind them you would be sh$t out of luck on any research.
-The Barko family-the other secret Walter Soplata family that saved lots of warbirds and parts.
-Jack Fesko-of New London Pa. Saved several Piasecki Helicopters.
-Charlie Fox-ww2 RCAF fighter pilot and Geneseo airshow announcer.
-Walt Powell-of Slippery Rocks Pa. saved several F-86's and still doing it.

[ZRX61]

Bill & Greg Anders
Brian Reynolds
Pete Regina
Mike Nixon
Joe Clark
John Romain

[Xrayist]

Darrell Skurich of Vintage Aircraft, that was in Fort Collins CO before he closed. I think he is still somewhat active in consulting. He did a lot very nice restorations, including if I remember correctly, some work on Tsunami. He also did the XP-51 that is the EAA Museum.