Today was a special day for me in that several months of planning came to fruition with Taras Lyssenko of “A and T Recovery” discussing his book on the recovery of “The Great Navy Birds of Lake Michigan”.

The Morton House Museum of Benton Harbor sponsored Taras Lyssenko’s presentation and book signing. In addition we were fortunate to have the support and facilities of the Benton Harbor Regional Airport made available. Can you think of a more appropriate place to talk about airplanes?

Taras has an interesting way of presenting the history and recovery of these historical aircraft. He begins by having a slide presentation on auto as he is speaking. He encourages the audience to stop him and ask questions on the slides and or his comments as he progresses.

Tara’s begins his talk about how he got started in aircraft recovery, then the trials & tribulations in working with local, state, federal agencies and the glaring efforts by the Navy to actually inhibit the recovery and restoration of these magnificent historical war birds.

Bonus items included information on the two aircraft carriers used in Lake Michigan to train pilots during which the subsequent losses of over 150 aircraft during this training are the aircraft he is recovering.  In addition to aircraft found, he has located a underwater forest from +7,000 years ago, numerous shipwrecks, and even a WWI German submarine off of Chicago.

Though no specific details were presented, it is possible that the Chicora, owned by the Morton & Graham Steam ship line of Benton Harbor, has also been located. It is hoped that live coverage of its ROV exploration by A and T recovery will be done and made available for viewing at the Morton House Museum at that time.

If this is something you would enjoy attending keep reading the local Herald-Palladium because Taras will be presenting his story to several Museums and interested parties in SW Michigan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benton Harbor Regional Airport (KBEH) – MI.