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Bob Hoover, one of history’s greatest pilots, dead at 94
Minnesota Public Radio ^ | October 25, 2016 | Bob Collins

Posted on 10/25/2016 10:03:09 AM PDT by EveningStar

One of the greatest pilots in the history of aviation died this morning, according to reports.

Bob Hoover, a World War II fighter pilot, a former Air Force test pilot, and the chase plane pilot for Chuck Yeager when he broke the sound barrier for the first time, was 94.

(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.mprnews.org ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aerospace; airforce; aviation; bobhoover; history; obituary; pilot; pow; testpilot; worldwarii; wwii
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To: EveningStar

Was Bob a member of QB?


61 posted on 10/25/2016 5:44:45 PM PDT by Does so (Hillary Defended TWO Rapists: Thomas Alfred Taylor and Slick Willie ==8-O)
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To: Does so

I don’t know.


62 posted on 10/25/2016 6:27:09 PM PDT by EveningStar
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To: pfflier
We were nearly neighbors. I live on Handel Way. Moved in on Dec 9, 1983. Closed escrow on the sale Feb 13, 2001. The place sure changed over that time. I had returned to San Diego in Jan 1969 (Chula Vista). The Scouts had a big jamboree on the Miramar base as part of San Diego's 200th anniversary that year. I worked at the PacBell building on Trade Street from 1983 to 1991.
63 posted on 10/25/2016 6:38:55 PM PDT by Myrddin
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To: EveningStar

Flying with the angels.


64 posted on 10/25/2016 7:22:51 PM PDT by wastedyears (precious bodily fluids)
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To: EveningStar
Until now, the greatest living aviator ever.

I think it was Jimmy Doolittle that called him "the best stick and rudder man" he had ever seen.

Member, Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame, a Nashville native.

R.I.P.

65 posted on 10/25/2016 7:39:22 PM PDT by zipper (In their heart of hearts, all Democrats are communists)
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To: PeteePie

I understand that he was more of a maintenance/ferry pilot than a fighter pilot. That he had sought combat but his superiors would rather have him in a support role. I have his bio here somewhere. Regardless, he did get shot down in combat, was held as a POW, and escaped. Although if I remember correctly it was on foot and through Spain.

To me a cook or a clerk typist during WWII is still a hero. Bob Hoover was in a league of his own. Those unsung heroes who developed and tested systems so others could fight. And not satisfied with that he went on to an incredible show/sport pilot career. An aviation saint. One of my childhood heroes.

I wish I could live to 94 and accomplish 1/1000th of the things he did. Godspeed Mr. Hoover.


66 posted on 10/25/2016 7:40:36 PM PDT by cll (Serviam!)
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To: Taxman

Self ping.


67 posted on 10/25/2016 7:51:00 PM PDT by Taxman ((H. L. Mencken correctly observed: Government is actually the worst failure of civilized man.))
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To: PilotDave

Cool.I imagine a book called “Drinking with Bob” would rival the number of pages of the yellow pages.A life well lived indeed.


68 posted on 10/26/2016 5:19:21 AM PDT by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life's tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: EveningStar
Bob Hoover is not listed at Wikipedia, but neither is my late (aged 97) Dad. But I have my Dad's engraved metal ID card as pictured at Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiet_Birdmen

69 posted on 10/26/2016 5:49:55 AM PDT by Does so (Hillary Defended TWO Rapists: Thomas Alfred Taylor and Slick Willie ==8-O)
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To: HANG THE EXPENSE
Drinking with Bob would be a dream. What a down to earth guy, Bob Hoover was, he got to fly some of the best and most famous Aircraft ever built.

Flew and helped to develop F-86, F-100, and he stole an FW-190.

Harrison Ford or Tom Hanks for the movie of his life!

70 posted on 10/26/2016 7:33:35 PM PDT by agincourt1415 (The Gloves are off!)
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To: PeteePie

His worry after a successful takeoff, was being shot down by the allies.


71 posted on 10/28/2016 2:47:28 AM PDT by wita (Always and forever, under oath in defense of Life, Liberty and. the pursuit of Happiness.)
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