WIX Archives
Re: early collectors
Posted by Steve T on Fri Dec 12, 2003 06:30:33 PM
In reply top early collectors posted by Rob Rohr on Fri Dec 12, 2003 05:47:43 PM
Hi Rob--
: Hi All,
: I had a freind approach me about doing a book on the early
: Warbird movement. The more I got into this the more I tho
: ught it was time to narrow the list a little.
This is a great idea and as far as I know one that has never really been explored...
: So far I've come up with,
:
: David Tallichet, Bob bean, Ed Maloney, Walter Solpate,
"Soplata"...though he does appear as "Solpata" in the old Ed Maloney Corsair book!
Frank Tallman, Paul Mantz, Earl Reiner,
"Reinert"...the legendary Victory Air Museum at Mundelein IL.
: Jack Hardwick.
: I would like to add some more to this group like from othe
: r parts of the world.
: This is what she is looking for person or persons who help
: with the early recovery, preservation and purchasing. Tim
: e period just after WWII up to the mid-70's.
OK...since this is one of my favourite topics...
Ernie V. Simmons (Courtland ON; 36 Yales, 8 Swordfish and a Lysander, 1946-70)
Harry Whereatt (Assiniboia SK; Hurricanes, Bolingbrokes etc, 1950s to present)
Stan Reynolds (Wetaskiwin AB; various types 1950s onward)
Jack Arnold (Brantford ON; Hurricanes, Spitfires etc, 1960s -1980s)
Bob Diemert (Carman MB; Zeros, D3A, Firefly, B-25, A-26 etc, 1960s-1990s)
Peter Thomas (Skyfame, Staverton UK; various rarities, 1961-early 80s, most of collection now at IWM Duxford)
Sid Marshall (Bankstown NSW; Me109G etc 1950s-1970s)
...And some tips of the hat, too. These either aren't "collectors" as such or are more recent than the scope of the intended research but still merit mention in this context:
Bill Baird (DH employee; repeatedly defied corporate orders to have Mosquito and Sea Vampire prototypes burnt in the 50s)
George Maude (Sidney BC; purchased surplus Kittyhawk and two Bolingbrokes ca 1946, all three have survived to present day, Kittyhawk still in family ownership--an almost certain record)
Bruce Pruett (owner of the two Oregon P-38s for many years)
Brian Baird (buyer of two RCN Sea Furies, $500 each, early 60s...aargh!)
Harold Carlaw (Campbellford ON; various types 1970s-present; I suppose he might still qualify as "early")
Jon Spinks (Alberta, 80s-early 90s, a dedicated collector younger than me, gone far too soon...Jon thoroughly disproved the theory that there was nothing left to recover that late!)
Hope the book project comes to fruition.
Cheers
S.