Falcon Field (Images of America) - Softcover

Mallett, Daryl F.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0738571377 ISBN 13: 9780738571379

Publisher: Arcadia Publishing, 2009

Synopsis

Mesa's Falcon Field began during World War II when a small group of Hollywood celebrities financed pilot training facilities (Southwest Airways) in the United States for American Allied forces. Thousands of British Royal Air Force pilots, joined by pilots from Russia, China, and 24 other nations at neighboring airfields, earned their wings in the Arizona desert. In 1945, the City of Mesa purchased the facility for $1, and then for the next 20 years leased it to Rocket Power, Inc., which manufactured a solid fuel rocket propellant. Today Falcon Field is a bustling municipal airport and a growing business center, with companies like Boeing, Nammo Talley, and MD Helicopters. The airpark also features the Commemorative Air Force Museum, home of one of the last flying B-17 bombers.

About this title

About the Author:

Author Daryl F. Mallett has gathered more than 180 images from the collections of RA F pilots and the families of those who trained there, Rex Griswold, Anzio Landing Restaurant, Falcon Field Airport Archives, the City of Mesa Archives, and many others. Mallett has authored a wide range of publications, including historical works, newspaper and magazine articles, and technical manuals.

Review:

Title: New book details history of Mesa's Falcon Field

Author: Steve Irvin

Publisher: ABC 15 News

Date: 9/10/09
Take a flight out of Mesa's Falcon field today, and you might not truly understand the history of this long-standing airport.
It was actually founded by a small group of Hollywood celebrities, including Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, who financed a facility for training allied pilots.
Thousands of British Royal Air Force pilots, along with pilots from Russia, China and 24 other nations were trained at Falcon Field and airfields in Glendale and Scottsdale.
The city of Mesa bought the airport for a dollar and leased it to Rocket Power, a company which manufactured solid fuel rocket propellant there for 20 years before it became a commerical airport and business center.
Author Daryl Mallett has assembled a book of more than 200 images documenting Falcon Field's history. The pictures chronicle the pilot training and the people who worked at the facility dating back nearly 70 years.
On Friday some of those RAF pilots will gather at Falcon Field to celebrate the release of the book and the airport's history. The event starts at 6:00 p.m. at Falcon's Roost Restaurant at 4731 E. Falcon Drive in Mesa.

About this edition

• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0738571377
• ISBN 13: 9780738571379
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128