Hollywood Pilot: The Biography of Paul Mantz

by Don Dwiggens

Genres: Aviation, Nonfiction, Biography

First published January 1, 1967

Reviews

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have used this book repeatedly for research. Dwiggins was a prolific writer on the subject of aviation. He personally knew Paul Mantz, one of the great stunt pilots who met his fate in the filming of the "Flight of the Phoenix" (the original one). He and partner Frank Tallman held a high reverence for antique aircraft, one of which was Pancho Barnes' Travelair Model R or Mystery Ship. Not mentioned in the book was that he had a full bar in his automobile trunk while in the air corps!

[KennyO · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a noteworthy life Paul Mantz led! His technical accomplishments were often stunning but his personal ones, like friendships with the movers and shakers in aviation, Hollywood and the armed forces; like his appreciation for the natural and man made wonders of the world; like his self discipline in his line of work; like his achievements through the First Motion Picture Unit (FMPU) during WWII; et alia.

Highly recommended! Author Don Dwiggins has done a great job here. You’ll get a lot more out of this book than others will if you’re a pilot or, to a lesser degree, an earnest movie buff.