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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Dennis Leonhardi on October 24, 2023, 12:23:32 PM
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An incredible pilot is gone - Godspeed Bob! Great reading here:
https://sierrahotel.net/blogs/news/the-day-hoover-departed-in-a-spitfire-and-came-home-in-a-focke-wulf (https://sierrahotel.net/blogs/news/the-day-hoover-departed-in-a-spitfire-and-came-home-in-a-focke-wulf)
Dennis
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That is really the end of an era. I saw Bob fly twice at airshows and was awed by his skill. I never met him but my brother knew him from his years as test pilot. God speed Bob.
Ken
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I was fortunate enough to have met Mr. Hoover several times at air shows, and spoke with him several times at length. I watched his slide presentations at Oshkosh many times and could do so many more times!! About the theft of a FW-190 fighter to make his way back to safety after escaping a POW camp, he would later say " That was probably the stupidest thing I ever did!" He just did not look the part of a dashing and daring fighter/test pilot!! But if he pulled up in front in a trash dumpsters that was capably powered to fly and asked me if I wanted a ride, I would not hesitate to to jump in!! I first saw him fly Old Yeller at an air show at Smart Field, now St. Charles County Airport when I was five years old. I mentioned that to him once and he actually remembered it and replied with the date and year it was!! I would love to have seen him in the F-86, but got to see hi routine in the P-51, the various Aero/Shrike/Turbo Commanders, and the Saberliner jet. If there is a heaven and I manage to make it there and heaven is whatever we want to make of it, I want to be where Bob Hoover is!
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee
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Yes, I too got to watch Bob fly at what used to the Olathe Naval Airstation. When he mad touch and goes with one engine dead and switch to the other and repeat the scene it was something when both engines went silent and he proceeded to land and taxi to his spot off the runway. He complained that he missed his mark by 6 inches. One of aviations greatest. H^^
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I saw him when I was 12 at Fort Lauderdale airshow. He flew the Rockwell Shrike Commander and did the full routine with both engines running, one engine running and both cut off. He had a pitcher of tea on the dash. After cutting off the engines and doing several stunts, he landed and rolled back to where he started. I have a print of his yellow P51 that is signed by him and the artist in my living room. The print is probably worth 1k now.
I remember the FAA gave him a hard time and pulled his license only because of his age. Attorney F. Lee Bailey represented him and I think he eventually got it back because there was no evidence he was unsafe.
I think he was the last of that era, with Chuck Yeagar and Pappy Boyington, etc.
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Dad was friends with Bob and I was lucky enough to meet him once. I think I saw him perform four times. Loved his Shrike performance and was in awe of his P-51. He seemed a genuine and humble man.
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The man was shot down over enemy territory. Broke into a a Luftwaffe airbase and stole a FW190 back to England. Nuff said.
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The man was shot down over enemy territory. Broke into a a Luftwaffe airbase and stole a FW190 back to England. Nuff said.
Actually, he thought it not to wise to fly back into England, so he landed in a farm field in Holland, which had been reoccupied by the British at that time, and was saved by some angry farmers by advancing British troops! His life would for sure make an interesting movie!!
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee
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Corrected. Thanks
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Actually, he thought it not to wise to fly back into England, so he landed in a farm field in Holland, which had been reoccupied by the British at that time, and was saved by some angry farmers by advancing British troops! His life would for sure make an interesting movie!!
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee
It has made an interesting movie…
https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Feathered-Edge-Kim-Furst/dp/B01BZG2ABO