Interviews with people involved with Pacific recoveries and/or restoration project from the late 1960's to present day.

Robert Diemert Japanese Aircraft Recoveres 1968-69 One of the first 'warbird' restorers, early fame was restoring a Hurricane for "Battle of Britain" movie.  With those funds he recovered several Japanese aircraft and restored two Zeros and a the Val himself.

Dennis Doggett RAAF A-20 Recoveries & A-20 "Hell'N Pelican II" Restoration Restoration of the most complete and accurate A-20 restoration in the world, recovered from New Guinea. It is not flown due to the rarity of the type.

Bruce Fenstermaker Irian Jaya Recoveries & MIA Cases Fenstermaker began recovering wrecks recovering a Zero, Betty, Judy and Tony to the United States.  He found American MIA cases during his travels and his focus switched MIAs.

Stan Gajda Wreck Hunter & Japanese Tankette Restoration Salvager and restorer involved with various recoveries, co-recoveries and export of items from the PNG Museum.

Robert Grienert HARS Salvager and restorer involved with various recoveries, co-recoveries and export of items from the PNG Museum.

Nobua Harada Harada Collection Tokyo based restorer and museum owner. Restored A6M5 Zero over 20 years, and the tail section of G4M2 Betty.

Daniel Hunt Kurlie Island Recoveries Recovered a A6M2 Zero, Kate and serveral Ki-43 Oscars, and a B-25 from Islands north of Japan.

Gary Larkins Air Pirates American aircraft salvager who has salvaged over 60 aircraft from 1973-1996. He has recovered portions of a B-17 from Alaska and P-38 in New Guinea.

Robert Jarrett Classic Jets Museum Restoring a P-38 recovered from New Guinea owner of several other ex-PNG aircraft.

Edward Maloney Planes of Fame | Restoration of the world's only authentic Zero Founder of the Planes of Fame Museum, restoration of A6M5 in the 1970s and involved with numberous other aircraft and project.

Taizou Nakamura Japanese restorer of Zero Panels and guages Learn about Nakamura-san's work with the Harada collection Zeros, restoring meticulous instrument panels and guages for aircraft. Also, his involvement with the crash sit of the crash site of Ki-45 4057 in Japan.

John Sterling Recovery of Four Zeros from Taroa Airbase Recovered in 1991, all used as a source of parts for the restoration of one A6M3. One of the Zeros was later sold to the Imperial War Museum, the others were later sold to the Evergreen Air Museum where the one is still under restoration.

Gene Strine Mid-Atlantic Air Museum | P-61 Recovery & Restoration Himself a WWII veteran, he recovered one of the world's last "Black Widows" from a mountain on Irian Jaya, and has been restoring it ever since.  When completed it will be the only flying P-61 in the world, and only 2 others displayed in the world.

David Talichet Yesterday's AIr Force | Tadji Salvage 1973-75 A WWII veteran, an early warbird collector and restorer. Funder of one of the largest salvage operations in the world - the recovery of dozens of aircraft from Tadji, New Guinea in 1973-75. Also, other salvages in Canada and India of former Pacific aircraft.

Gerald Yagen Fighter Factory / Tidewater Tech Salvage and restoration of warbirds from around the world, his collection includes former Pacific aircraft and ongoing salvage activities. Interview coming soon...