Last Of The Warbirds

Hal Larkin, coordinator of the Grumman Wildcat restoration, shows off the once-sunken relic of American history after seven years of work.

In a huge airplane hangar near Titusville, Hal Larkin and his “Grumman Gremlins” labored every Thursday for seven years, slowly and meticulously breathing new life into a doomed relic from another era—and a rare piece of American history.

The work was far from tedious. The Gremlins were filled with determination, and the camaraderie of working together on such a daunting task made the hours pass quickly. The 18-member team consisted of engineers, electricians, mechanics and pilots, although most had not worked for many years in these occupations—at least, not for money. Their sole objective, as volunteers, was the resurrection and preservation of a machine symbolizing the gallantry, bravery and determination of a time gone by, and a small slice of American technology, even though it was now a pile of junk.

Read the entire article in the February 2006 issue