[STARMAN 352ND]

That's good to know maybe some of them are flying today then or in a museum somewhere.
JP

[mapleflag]

Walter Soplata Colection Visit Report

Here is an update from 2002 regarding the collection.

[skydriver]

WOW, I have always fantasized about finding an old Corsair in a barn somewhere.

But this reminds me about meeting an old farmer up in Dalton Georgia about 9-10 years ago. I was trying to put together a real estate deal on some land he owned and we ended up in his home office and he had some of the most amazing military memrobelia. One thing I will always remember was a personal autographed photo he had of Pappy Boyington. After about an hour or so of me looking and asking hundreds of questions, I guess he realized that I was truly interested in what he had to say and show me that he said " do you want to see something really neat ". With that we walked into his farm, and what do I see but a real World War 2 tank that he was restoring. He never really told me how he got it, but he did start that thing up and it nearly deafened me.

When I asked if he served in a tank unit during WW2, he said no, that he was infantry. When I asked him about that, he just kind of smiled and proudly said " I killed me some Germans ". And when I say he was proud of that statement, I mean he was proud of it. ( Now I realize that there are many of our German friends on this site, and I don't mean to degrade or insult anyone. I am just stating what a proud American solder said to me ). In any case, no matter what side you were on, you did what you had to do at the time.

But back to the story, I lost track of him, but I know somewhere there is a WW2 tank ready to go back into action.

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by skydriver

... I guess he realized that I was truly interested in what he had to say and show me that he said " do you want to see something really neat ".

...a word of caution; if tank nut ever says that to you. RUN (screaming), do not walk, in the opposite direction.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by mapleflag

Walter Soplata Colection Visit Report

Here is an update from 2002 regarding the collection.

Good stuff, thanks for bringing us up -to -date.

[kingpin]

Hey All

Hopefully this link works it is a good article about Walter Soplata from his kids view..

The Soplata Airplane Sanctuary

Enjoy
Glen

[smartd]

Originally Posted by kingpin

Hey All

Hopefully this link works it is a good article about Walter Soplata from his kids view..

The Soplata Airplane Sanctuary

Enjoy
Glen

Very interesting, seems we owe Walter a lot for his foresight in saving some of these aircraft from the wreckers. It's great that so much info is coming out of the original post.

[chiefs70]

Originally Posted by kingpin

Hey All

Most of the restoreable planes have been sold . Not to much is left there.. Love it or hate it Walter Soplata did a helluva job with what he had to save some of those rare planes..


Glen

I agree, Glen. In my experience with hot rods and muscle cars it is often the person with a love of the cars and acreage to burn that can help preserve history until someone who cares, and has a few resources, wants to come in and take them over. It takes an unbelievable amount of cash to maintain machines in any state let alone restore them. I was a bit miffed when I first found the website a few years ago but I've had to give up a few muscle cars in the past when I was in college rather than let them go to the scrapyard so I can relate.

[mustangdriver]

Originally Posted by kingpin

Hey All

Most of the restoreable planes have been sold . Not to much is left there.. Love it or hate it Walter Soplata did a helluva job with what he had to save some of those rare planes..


Glen

He is right. I have been there as well. Each aircraft was purchased by him to save it from a scrap yard. He then sparyed them inside and out with preservative, and then sealed the cockpits. He also tried to cover the glass when possible. Many of these aircraft have been moved to museums such as the Super Corsair, and the F-82.

[Captain Eddie]

We owe a big thanks to Walter. Way to go, sir!!