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Taras C. Lyssenko
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The Great Navy Birds of Lake Michigan: The True Story of the Privateers of Lake Michigan and the Aircraft They Rescued Paperback – August 26, 2019

by Taras C. Lyssenko (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 76 ratings
See all formats and editions
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Over the past thirty-five years, a small team of explorers have surveyed the southern basin of Lake Michigan in search of World War II US Navy aircraft. The aircraft were lost during mishaps that occurred during an almost forgotten naval project which had trained thousands of aircraft carrier pilots between the years of 1942 through 1945.
Because the explorers became so proficient at locating and recovering the aircraft, the Director of the National Naval Aviation Museum engaged them in an effort to rescue dozens of aircraft for presentation to the American public. Today, these wonderful machines, which had been used by the Greatest Generation to preserve the world's freedom and liberty, are viewed by and touch the lives of millions of people each year.
As with all good things in life, it is the end result that is most known. The trials, troubles and effort to get there is almost always forgotten. This book tells the stories of how the exploration team succeeded through an odyssey within a realm no others have dared to enter.
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  1. Print length
    160 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    America Through Time
  4. Publication date
    August 26, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    6.5 x 0.31 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1634991435
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1634991438
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

The Great Navy Birds of Lake Michigan:The True Story of the Privateers of Lake Michigan and the Aircraft the Rescued,Taras C. Lyssenko, 2019, ISBN, 978-1-63499-143-8, 160 pp.
Review by Joseph May
Travel For Aircraft
May 16, 2019

Taras Lyssenko is the "T" in A and T Recovery and his book is filled to the brim with thehistorical finds you'd expect and many you would not--all wonderful treasuresreleased from their watery tomb. Taras tells the story in graceful, flowing yetdirect prose of how the benefit corporation (a private entity which providedfor the public good but without governmental agency red tape though theynavigate those waters, as well) of how this band of people have been filling avoid left achingly open by the U.S. Navy not preserving examples of its World WarII aircraft. A and T recovers for the National Naval Aviation Museum, as wellas other museums and entities, so that the preservers and conservators can worktheir magic to bring these treasures to public view.
But why?

The why is inspiring. They feel theirmission is to honor our veterans as well as those who have fallen in theirmilitary service by releasing these aircraft from the submerged, dark andforgotten bottoms of water bodies--with Lake Michigan being their primarysource. Lake Michigan because the U.S. Navy lost so many aircraft to trainingaccidents of aircraft carrier pilots during World War II.

Great Navy Birds isalso the investigation into the human dimension of history as much as theaircraft themselves as Taras takes care to write of the pilots who flew thespecific aircraft, including some who died cold and lonely deaths in them. Someof the stories are extraordinary such as the recovery of a Dauntless which flewin the Battle of Midway. Or, the solving of a mysterious disappearance of a manpiloting a private aircraft over a lake in Alabama. A and T Recovery was ableto solve that mystery by way of re-nav and plain smart thinking just as theyhave found the dozens of aircraft recovered with the work, thankfully, continuing.

Taras tells the story in a full-on style (it's the only mode he has) that underscores his passion forthis work. He seems to have only two throttle settings, as well, high speedcruise and emergency boost (or afterburner if you prefer a modern metaphor) soeach chapter is to the point. This is not bedtime reading, there is too muchexcitement and drama for that, and readers will likely not require a warm cupof cocoa while enjoying Great Navy Birds. That is not Taras'sstyle and is refreshing. The tale of the Helldiver's rescue was especiallypleasing.

Healso describes the dimension of working with complex bureaucracies which have oftenobfuscated the work for their own ends it seems. It's a lesson for many of usand underscores the honey badger (honey badgers make wolverines look pacifisticby comparison) focus of Taras and the firm.
Inspeaking with Taras he tantalizing describes how Avengers have been located notto mention a few Devastators, of which none are displayed in the world. So thework continues and in unexpected ways, as Davy Jones's locker has many secrets.A World War I German Navy submarine has been located, a rare find on this sideof the Atlantic Ocean and would be one of only two on exhibit in the worldshould an investor come forward. This was the most advanced weapon system ofits day, far surpassing Allied submarine designs, and should be recovered! Itwould provide quite a legacy for such a person. Shipwrecks and even an8000 year old relic forest have also been mapped and discovered with the bookrevealing one exciting story after another.
So...the work continues and Taras knows another book is in theways because of this. The world has much to thank for his work as the WW IINavy aircraft displayed across the country have largely been brought to us byway of their work. For Taras as well as A and T Recovery we can only say, Charlie Mike.

About the Author

TARAS LYSSENKO is known for the recovery and preservation of history that had been lost under water. Taras is one of the leaders of the team that has recovered dozens of aircraft on behalf of the National Naval Aviation Museum. Additionally, Mr. Lyssenko has initiated, brought forth, and successfully passed through the US Congress several legislative efforts. This includes what was termed as the "Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements Act of 2000." He successfully achieved a Presidential Determination under Defense Production Act Title, III for his efforts in titanium production. He has led teams that were the recipients of R & D 100 Awards, including one for titanium production and another for the rapid generation of new natural gas.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ America Through Time (August 26, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1634991435
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1634991438
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.06 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 0.31 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 76 ratings

About the author

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Taras C. Lyssenko

Taras C. Lyssenko

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Mr. Taras Lyssenko is known for the recovery and preservation of history that had been lost under water. Taras is one of the leaders of the team that has recovered dozens of aircraft on behalf of the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Additionally, he has initiated, brought forth, and successfully passed through the US Congress several legislative efforts. This includes what was termed as the “Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements Act of 2000.” He successfully achieved a Presidential Determination under Defense Production Act Title, III for his efforts in titanium production. He has led teams that were the recipients of R & D 100 Awards, including one for titanium production and another for the rapid generation of new natural gas.

Taras is the principal in multiple companies that strive to bring forth a better society and world. He donates great amounts of time assisting in educational efforts of students from grade school levels to institutions of higher learning.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
76 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the visuals interesting and colorful. They also appreciate the well-researched and well-written book.

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VisualsPhotosResearch quality
4 customers mention "Visuals"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the visuals in the book interesting.

"...Chock full of great anecdotal info and photos, this book is a treasure...." Read more

"...These are training birds pulled from the Great Lakes, but still interesting to see and read the recovery efforts done to return these aircraft to..." Read more

"...a salvage company based in the Chicagoland area, it is an amusing and interesting story told in a wonderfully droll and ironic manner...." Read more

"Very nice quality printing and color photos!Colorful stories about the resistance encountered while trying to do the right thing...." Read more

3 customers mention "Photos"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the color photos in the book.

"Very nice quality printing and color photos!Colorful stories about the resistance encountered while trying to do the right thing...." Read more

"Lots of beautiful pictures. Details are very unique area of recovering significant WW II artifacts." Read more

"Great color recovery pics..." Read more

3 customers mention "Research quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-researched, well-written, and a treasure.

"...Chock full of great anecdotal info and photos, this book is a treasure...." Read more

"...This is a well-researched and well-written book. I think the author did some event at the Chicago Maritime Museum too which I missed...." Read more

"...Amazing find and wonderful addition to the museum's aircraft collection." Read more

A fascinating convergence of underwater recovery and aviation.
5 out of 5 stars
A fascinating convergence of underwater recovery and aviation.
We approaching Christmas in Australia, and this book keeps me thinking about flying and scuba diving.The author did a great interview with the EAA Greendot podcast about the book and A and T Recovery.
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Top reviews from the United States

Bruce Hillyer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure. Grab it.
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2019
Verified Purchase
I became fascinated with the work of Taras Lyssenko and his team at A&T Recovery when I was working on my sailboat 20 years ago at a boat yard on the Chicago River and looked over and saw a WW2 aircraft being lifted onto shore with its US Navy markings still visible. For years I’ve wanted to know more about A&T Recovery and the whole “behind the scenes” story of a mission that I feel is very important. Taras Lyssenko’s magnificent book throws the doors wide open and shares everything I’ve been curious about, and more. From the organization’s beginnings to the excitement of discovery, to the recovery and restoration of the airplanes, to the incredible bureaucratic roadblocks the team has endured, and what the future holds ... it’s all here. Taras is a sharp, witty guy and his personality comes through in his writing. What is evident when you read this book is that the most important characters in this entire story—the reason this work has been undertaken—is us, the public who need to know about these airplanes and the “Greatest Generation” who flew them. Chock full of great anecdotal info and photos, this book is a treasure. Buy it, read it and attend one of Taras’ many presentations if you are able to. Meet the man and shake his hand. You’ll be happy you did.
2 people found this helpful
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Robert Majors
5.0 out of 5 stars Great color recovery pics
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2021
Verified Purchase
If you are interested in warbird recovery, this book has many pics of aircraft just pulled out if the water in full color! These are training birds pulled from the Great Lakes, but still interesting to see and read the recovery efforts done to return these aircraft to their former glory!
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Jersey Kid
5.0 out of 5 stars Recovering Historic aircraft from the Great Lakea.
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a series of stories about the recovery of WW2 naval aircraft in Lake Michigan. There were quite a few because the Navy used the protected waters to operate two paddle wheel aircraft carriers to train pilots on deck landing and take-off.

Written by the owner/operator of a salvage company based in the Chicagoland area, it is an amusing and interesting story told in a wonderfully droll and ironic manner.

If you wan the details of the crashes aircraft, however; this is not the book for you. The author tells the stories assuming the reader(s) know what isa Corsair or Hell or Avenger. In that aspect, the story is driven by the recovery and distribution of the funds. It also addresses a certain antagonistic relationship between the recovery folks and the historian establishment in the US Navy. Admittedly, it is only the author’s side of the story. But, being a bout familiar with the topic of recovery and ownership thereafter, it does ring true.

Credits also to the author and publisher for using photo-grade paper. Really makes that fantastic pictures jump out at you.
2 people found this helpful
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Black Cat
5.0 out of 5 stars Colorful book in several ways!
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
Very nice quality printing and color photos!
Colorful stories about the resistance encountered while trying to do the right thing. Glad to see that many hidden treasures were pulled out of the drink!
One person found this helpful
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Michael Barth
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
I have not finished reading this book but so far, I have enjoyed this book. This is a well-researched and well-written book. I think the author did some event at the Chicago Maritime Museum too which I missed. A definite read.
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T-CART
5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating convergence of underwater recovery and aviation.
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
We approaching Christmas in Australia, and this book keeps me thinking about flying and scuba diving.
The author did a great interview with the EAA Greendot podcast about the book and A and T Recovery.
Customer image
T-CART
5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating convergence of underwater recovery and aviation.
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2021
We approaching Christmas in Australia, and this book keeps me thinking about flying and scuba diving.
The author did a great interview with the EAA Greendot podcast about the book and A and T Recovery.
Images in this review
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Janet E Quistberg
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2019
Verified Purchase
Lots of beautiful pictures. Details are very unique area of recovering significant WW II artifacts.
One person found this helpful
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Thomas A. Williams
3.0 out of 5 stars Pages to slippery and print and light and to small.
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2024
Verified Purchase
Had a difficult time trying to read the book printing was way to small and printing was to light almost gray and hard to see. Paper felt like it was photo paper which was difficult to see and hold on to.
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Top reviews from other countries

P. COLWILL
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
From 1942 until the end of the War, pilot carrier training was conducted on Lake Michigan on two converted paddle steamers during which time around 130 aircraft ended up in the lake, some of them combat veterans and types no longer existing elsewhere.
This slim volume recounts the efforts to recover them for display over a period of 35 years.

I was previously aware that there had been "bureaucratic problems" and pieces in the media over that time gave me the idea that maybe not all the recoverers were totally trustworthy! How wrong I was. The truth seems to be their efforts were put on hold numerous times by bureaucrats from several departments on an unbelievable scale for seemingly little reason.
The book, which reads easily and with unexpected humour considering the procrastination going on, recalls many of the recoveries on behalf of the Navy, and also follow ons such as the installation of the SBD at Midway Airport and the similar F4F at Chicago O'Hare. The all important connection with the pilots who went missing and their families is also explored.

This excellent production is backed up by documents and many colour photos.

If you're interested in Naval Aviation or the Chicago area then this is a must read. Thanks Taras for taking the time to record all this..........I for one was fascinated.
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