Hidden warbirds : the epic stories of finding, recovering, and rebuilding WWII's lost aircraft

Description

"If you only have room in your collection for one book on WWII-era warbird wreck histories and recoveries, then it should be this one. Nicholas Veronico's thorough research and clear, concise writing style make Hidden Warbirds a fascinating joy to read."--Alan Griffith, author of Consolidated Mess: The Illustrated Guide to Nose-turreted B-24 Production Variants in USAAF Combat ServiceAviation historian Nicholas A. Veronico has been investigating and writing about aircraft wrecks for many years. His website, wreckchasing.com, is the go-to source for enthusiasts who want to know more about how to locate vintage airplane wrecks and then tell their stories. In this engaging new book, Veronico explores the romantic era of World War II Warbirds and the stories of some of its most famous wrecks, including the "Swamp Ghost" (a B-17E which crashed in New Guinea in the early days of World War II and which was only recently recovered), and "Glacier Girl" (a P-38, part of "The Lost Squadron," which crashed in a large ice sheet in Greenland in 1942). Throughout, Veronico provides a history of the aircraft, as well as the unique story behind each discovery and recovery with ample illustrations. Hidden Warbirds is aviation history at its best. Read more... Abstract: "If you only have room in your collection for one book on WWII-era warbird wreck histories and recoveries, then it should be this one. Nicholas Veronico's thorough research and clear, concise writing style make Hidden Warbirds a fascinating joy to read."--Alan Griffith, author of Consolidated Mess: The Illustrated Guide to Nose-turreted B-24 Production Variants in USAAF Combat ServiceAviation historian Nicholas A. Veronico has been investigating and writing about aircraft wrecks for many years. His website, wreckchasing.com, is the go-to source for enthusiasts who want to know more about how to locate vintage airplane wrecks and then tell their stories. In this engaging new book, Veronico explores the romantic era of World War II Warbirds and the stories of some of its most famous wrecks, including the "Swamp Ghost" (a B-17E which crashed in New Guinea in the early days of World War II and which was only recently recovered), and "Glacier Girl" (a P-38, part of "The Lost Squadron," which crashed in a large ice sheet in Greenland in 1942). Throughout, Veronico provides a history of the aircraft, as well as the unique story behind each discovery and recovery with ample illustrations. Hidden Warbirds is aviation history at its best Content: Introduction: how the hunt for hidden warbirds has evolved -- Up from under water -- Two of the rarest: simultaneous Navy SB2C and SBD restorations -- The last Vindicator: SB2U-2 up from Lake Michigan -- Two Navy crosses in SBD-2 Buno 2106 -- In from the jungle -- B-17E Swamp Ghost and its long road home -- Recovering the Mt. Cyclops P-61 Black Widow -- Bringing out a Betty, Judy, Tony, and a Zero -- Big Island B-18 in situ -- The frozen north -- P-38 Glacier Girl -- The Million Dollar Valley Marauders -- Alaskan Liberators: one in place, one recovered -- Lucky finds: rare warbirds in unusual places -- P-51D (F-6D) Lil Margaret -- Navy harpoon on a grass strip -- Some assembly required: B-17E/XC-108 Desert Rat -- Recovering the big fleets: squadrons return -- Rescued from a desert boneyard: the B-29s of China Lake -- Corsairs recovered from Honduras -- Latin American Mustangs fuel the warbird movement -- Epilogue: they're still out there.