Storied restaurant on LAX-owned land faces closure

Diners at the Proud Bird restaurant take in the view of vintage aircraft and planes landing at Los Angeles International Airport. Some of the planes are real while others are replicas.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The collection of vintage aircraft at the restaurant includes commercial and military planes.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A display that features the early days of commercial aviation showcases some of the memorabilia at the Proud Bird restaurant.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A pair of aviator’s goggles belonging to the late military pilot Richard Bong is among the memorabilia at the restaurant   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A display at the restaurant features the exploits of aviatrix Amelia Earhart.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A photograph of Marilyn Monroe, who briefly worked in Southern California aircraft industry.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

John Tallichet is the owner of the Proud Bird restaurant in Los Angeles. It was begun by his father.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A commercial airliner flies past a vintage plane on the grounds of the Proud Bird restaurant.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A commercial airliner flies past a vintage Soviet MiG on the grounds of the Proud Bird restaurant.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)