"In the twenty years I’ve known Jerry, he always enjoyed acquiring some new treasure. Bravo Zulu shows the zest and knowledge he has about historic aircraft. Even through the most-trying times, his sense of purpose and good humor remained. I am glad he has put some of the stories I heard in person down on paper." —R.R. “Boom” Powell, warbird pilot, historian, and author of Wave Off! and Vigilante!
"Bravo Zulu: My Search to Save Classic Warbirds is a once-in-a-lifetime book about author and collector Jerry Yagen’s quest to find, restore, and fly the world’s most historic airplanes. Along the way, Jerry founded the Military Aviation Museum to share these treasures with the community. As one of the pilots flying these historic airplanes, I can say without a doubt, this is a must-read book." —John “Pappy” Mazza, warbird pilot, former chairman of Virginia State Aviation Board and inductee, Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame
"Jerry and Elaine Yagen’s dedication to sharing aviation history is amazing by any standard. By finding, restoring, and taking stewardship of extremely rare, historic airplanes, they are preserving actual pieces of history and works of function and art. They share their collection with the public both in the air and on the ground in a beautiful historic setting. It’s hard to say just how important this is to aviators and the public, who all can learn, see, and touch an irreplaceable part of the history of aviation." —Patty Wagstaff, three-time US National Aerobatic Champion and inductee, National Aviation Hall of Fame
"I think it’s great that Jerry has taken the time to write Bravo Zulu: My Search to Save Classic Warbirds. As someone who has traveled the same path as Jerry, I appreciate the effort, the passion, and the EXPENSE that's gone into pursuing his dream! While it’s great to be able to pursue one’s passion, it’s even greater to be able to share it with others! I hope the people that pass through the doors of the Military Aviation Museum will be inspired by the great stories of aviation, Jerry’s contribution, and do so in a way that inspires them all to follow their dreams!" —Kermit Weeks, founder of Fantasy of Flight Museum and inductee, EAA Warbird Hall of Fame
"Jerry Yagen is a man whose appetite for acquiring and restoring vintage aircraft is unrivaled worldwide. For over two decades, together we have brought back to life some of the most unique and rare aircraft from WWII. As a company, we owe Jerry a huge debt of gratitude for his confidence and support as do the thousands of everyday people who are touched in some way by the sights and sounds of Jerry’s wonderful collection of flying machines!" —Warren Denholm, Avspecs Ltd., New Zealand.
"At the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, the feat of actually flying the warbird collections proves that they are more than just metal, fabric, and wood. Each of the 60+ historic aircraft represents a culmination of technological and manufacturing achievements . . . each is a crystallization of the American spirit, and every time one takes flight it does so as a monument to the sacrifices made by our Nation's aviators in times of war. The effort that it takes to find and restore these aircraft, to tell each of their stories, and to continually operate them is awe inspiring To the Yagen family, their passionate staff, dedicated volunteers/docents, and pilots, I say, Bravo Zulu!" —Timothy J. Keating, admiral, USN Rtd, former commander, US Pacific Command, and Naval aviator
2022-10-06
In this memoir, a man chronicles his enthusiasm for warplanes and the remarkable aviation museum that resulted.
Yagen certainly didn’t grow up collecting vintage airplanes—like most of his childhood peers, he amassed piles of comic books and stamps. But he was always fascinated with “warbirds,” and spent a considerable portion of his youth constructing model planes and reading about the world’s greatest aviators. His stepfather was an American Air Force officer who had served in World War II, and as a result, Yagen grew up on military bases, surrounded by the planes that he became so enamored with. He ultimately earned a pilot’s license. But it was years later, once he had established himself as a successful businessman, that he decided to start collecting vintage warplanes. After attending a World War II–themed dance at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, he discovered an important pursuit, which he poignantly recalls: “I suddenly knew what I wanted to do—I had found the collection I was supposed to build. I found the meaningful stories I wanted to help tell. I knew in that moment what I was put here to preserve for future generations. I realized I had been preparing for this mission unknowingly for my whole life.” That collection would eventually grow to become the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach. Yagen’s love of warplanes is as endearing as it is infectious—readers will pine to visit his museum after seeing the utterly gorgeous color photographs of its planes reproduced here. Photos of the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, with its “wicked grin displaying white shark teeth” and a “pair of savage eyes,” are particularly spectacular. The author convincingly makes the case that the planes are testaments to human ingenuity and courage as well as objects of historical insight and edification. In addition, he makes an equally powerful case for the allure of a purposeful obsession.
An uplifting and captivating collector’s account adorned with beautiful photography.
