Hidden Warbirds II: More Epic Stories of Finding, Recovering, and Rebuilding WWII's Lost Aircraft

by Nicholas A. Veronico

Overview

“Global and fraught with risk . . . from icy Norway to the steamy outback, we are there, witnesses to . . . the race to save the history of brave men.” —Adam Makos, New York Times–bestselling author of A Higher Call

In Hidden Warbirds II, the engaging follow-up to the critically acclaimed Hidden Warbirds, aviation historian Nicholas A. Veronico further explores the romantic era of World War II warbirds and the stories of some of its most famous wrecks and recoveries. The long-lost aircraft featured in this much-anticipated sequel include a Hawker Tempest being restored in Texas; the sole surviving Brewster F3A Corsair, rescued from a swamp; and a Junkers 88 recovered from the icy waters of Norway. Throughout the book, Veronico provides a history of each aircraft, as well as the unique story behind each discovery and recovery, all accompanied by incredible documentary photographs. With over 150 of these photographs, depicting more than 20 warbird stories spanning the world, Hidden Warbirds II triumphantly continues a nonfiction series that renowned military author Alan Griffith calls “a fascinating joy to read.”

“A fundamental contribution to aviation history, well researched and well written, as easy to read as a novel, and absolutely loaded with facts.” —Walter J. Boyne, USAF (ret.), historian and former director, Smithsonian National Air Space Museum, author of Beyond the Wild Blue: A History of the U.S. Air Force 1947-2007

“Modern-day Indiana Jones–style archaeology and a global aviation scavenger hunt . . . Once again Nicolas Veronico has provided a seamless blend of meticulous research and vibrant photography that documents some of the great archaeological adventures of our time.” —Brad O’Connor, author of Stealth Fighter: A Year in the Life of an F-117 Pilot

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781627881975
Publisher:	Quarto Publishing Group USA
Publication date:	12/20/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	341
File size:	19 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Nicholas A. Veronico has written extensively on US naval operations in World War II on the sea and in the air. He is the author of Hidden Warbirds (Zenith, 2013), Hidden Warbirds II (Zenith, 2013), Battlestations: American Warships in WWII (Motorbooks, 2001), and World War II Shipyards of the Bay Area (Arcadia Publishing, 2007), as well as F4U Corsair (Motorbooks, 1994) and Convair PB4Y-2/P4Y-2 Privateer (Ginter Books, 2012). In addition, he appeared on the TV series Life After People in the 2010 episode "Take Me To Your Leader," providing history and commentary on the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard near San Francisco, California.

Nicholas A. Veronico has written extensively on US naval operations in World War II on the sea and in the air. He is the author of Hidden Warbirds (Zenith, 2013), Hidden Warbirds II (Zenith, 2013), Battlestations: American Warships in WWII (Motorbooks, 2001), and World War II Shipyards of the Bay Area (Arcadia Publishing, 2007), as well as F4U Corsair (Motorbooks, 1994) and Convair PB4Y-2/P4Y-2 Privateer (Ginter Books, 2012). In addition, he appeared on the TV series Life After People in the 2010 episode "Take Me To Your Leader," providing history and commentary on the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard near San Francisco, California.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 6

Introduction: They're Still Out There… 7

Part 1 What Historic Aircraft Do the Waters Hold? 30

Battle of Britain: Do-17 Recovery 32

Bringing Up a Birdcage Corsair 40

Ju-88 U4+TK Recovery and Restoration 54

Dyke Lake B-17 Recovery 64

Lend-Lease P-39 Restoration 88

Part 2 In from the Swamps and Jungles 96

Thunderbolt in a Swamp 98

Sole Surviving Brewster F3A-1 Corsair 110

Recovering the Sandbar Mitchell 124

Australian Outback P-40 over the Wine Country 142

Part 3 Lucky Finds: Rare Warbirds in Unusual Places 154

Return of a Uruguayan Air Force Mustang 156

Hawker Tempest II Restoration in Texas 168

Where Did All the B-24 Liberators Go? 178

Hidden in Plain Sight: Mustangs on Poles 200

World War II Privateer Survived as a Firebomber 216

Epilogue: What Does the Future Hold? 230

Bibliography and Suggested Reading 238

Index 252

Editorial Reviews

"Global and fraught with risk, the adventure stories in Hidden Warbirds II would do Indiana Jones proud. From icy Norway to the steamy outback, we are there, witnesses to epic treasure hunts and more—the race to save the history of brave men." - Adam Makos, New York Times best-selling author of A Higher Call

"Hunting for hidden treasures has always had wide appeal, but Nicholas A. Veronico brings entirely new dimensions to the genre. He provides in fascinating detail the past, present, and future of a number of great subjects—fascinating vintage airplanes rescued from locations such as the English Channel, a frozen lake in Norway, and more. Hidden Warbirds II is a fundamental contribution to aviation history, well researched and well written, as easy to read as a novel, and absolutely loaded with facts." - Walter J. Boyne, USAF (ret.), author/historian and former director, Smithsonian National Air Space Museum

"What would a story look like if you began with a crusade to preserve the vanishing history of our greatest generation, added some modern-day Indiana Jones–style archaeology and a global aviation scavenger hunt, and finished up with raise-from-the-dead restoration expertise that would shame an Egyptologist? The answer is Hidden Warbirds II. Once again Nicholas Veronico has provided a seamless blend of meticulous research and vibrant photography that documents some of the great archaeological adventures of our time." - Brad O'Connor, author of Stealth Fighter: A Year in the Life of an F-117 Pilot

From the Publisher