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

"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 "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 Service Aviation 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. Aviation historian Nick 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 Dotty Mae (a P-47 submerged for over 60 years in the Traunsee in Austria, excavated and recovered with great care), the Swamp Ghost (a B-17E which crashed in New Guinea in the latter days of World War II and which was only recently discovered), 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. 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. Introduction: How The Hunt For Hidden Warbirds Has Evolved -- Pt. 1. Up From Under Water -- Pt. 2. In From The Jungle -- Pt. 3. The Frozen North -- Pt. 4. Lucky Finds: Rare Warbirds In Unusual Places -- Pt. 5. Recovering The Big Fleets: Squadrons Return -- Epilogue: They're Still Out There. Nicholas A. Veronico. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 240-250) And Indexes.