Bob Hoover Passes

[THE PILGRIM]

The legendary Bob Hoover is gone.
He was a WWII hero, test pilot, stunt pilot, exhibition pilot and a prime example of what term The Greatest Generation really means.
In WII, he was flying a Spitfire and was shot down.
Captured, he attempted several times to escape.
Then after a successful departure from the Stalag, he borrowed a FW-190 and flew it to Holland.
Sort of poetic justice, since he was shot down by a FW-190.
One of a kind, he will be missed!

Bob Hoover - Wikipedia

 

[jrm53]

I saw his routine in his Aero Commander once in Springdale Ar he put on quite a show and landed it with the engines off. Jeff

 

[M29since14]

I never got to see his show in the Shrike Commander until this morning. In an online obit there was a link. Not the greatest video, but good enough that one could "get the idea".

I remember the broo-hah when the FAA thought they'd ground him. He probably flew better in his later years than 99%+ of the pilots who ever sat in an airplane at any age.

A great showman and pilot, and from what I can gather, just as fine of a human being. RIP, Mr. Hoover.

 

[Targets Guy]

RIP. May you soar with the angels and teach them how to fly.

 

[Bekeart]

Saw Mr. Hover and 2251D (his Mustang) many times at Rockford EAA annual Fly-In meetings.

Only saw the Aero Commander flight routine once - somewhere west of (but near) Chicago.
Lady friend with me. She had NEVER seen aerobatics and nealry had kittens.

Bekeart

 

[31FordA]

It was my good fortune to see Bob Hoover perform a number of times, and every performance was amazing. As a young kid hoping to one day be a pilot watching Bob Hoover fly was inspiring. The way he was treated by the FAA was a disgrace. He was a truly incredible pilot, one of the very best ever, and a true gentleman.

 

[shouldazagged]

One of the all-time greats, referred to by many of his contemporaries as the best stick-and-rudder man and fighter pilot they ever saw.

I believe I read that he flew the chase plane when Chuck Yeager broke Mach 1.

He would be immortal if only for the story of his nicking an unattended Focke-Wulf to make his escape--it doesn't get any more brazen than that. We are talking serious cojones.

 

[Big Cholla]

As stated; "The best stick and rudder man ever." I am deeply saddened and we are diminished. ......

 

[steamloco76]

I saw Mr. Hoover perform with the Aero Commander Shrike and the yellow Rockwell P-51 Mustang three times at the Latrobe, PA airshow. His skill was beyond belief.

Over the years I've probably seen about twenty P-51 Mustang flight demonstrations at various shows. Most Mustang pilots are very easy on the engine, only using full power for the take off run and keeping airspeed pretty low because the Merlin engine costs so much to rebuild. Mr. Hoover would FLY Old Yellow! His low level passes at full power and tight, high speed aerobatics had that Mustang making spectacular sounds that gave me goosebumps.

Godspeed Mr. Hoover!

 

[zzzippper]

I saw him perform in both the Shrike and P-51 around 1972. He would put a glass of water on the instrument panel of the Shrike and perform his whole routine without spilling a drop. One stunt was an eight-point roll and IIRC a sixteen-point roll.

Erich Hartmann was at the same show.

 

[muddocktor]

I had the privilege of seeing Bob Hoover perform in his Shrike Commander at an airshow in Lafayette, LA back in the late 80's or early 90's. He put on a heck of a good show and he made that Shrike Commander do stuff I don't think any other pilot ever did with that aircraft. I think even Chuck Yeager called him the best stick and rudder man he ever flew with too.

RIP Bob! I know you are teaching the angels how to really fly now!

 

[jrm53]

If I'm remembering right it seems to me back several years ago the FAA wanted him to quit doing his acrobatic act as they thought he was to old to be performing, any one that flies or used to will remember the quote "there are old pilots and bold pilots but there are no old bold pilots". Jeff

 

[Memphis]

The only Oshkosh airshow I've had the pleasure to attend involved a storybook meeting with the man. My buddy and I had found a place to park our rental car and were walking what seemed like two miles up to the entry gate. And who do you think pulled up beside us and rolled down his window and offered us a ride??? Dang right my friends, Bob Hoover....complete with his Panama straw hat and all. At first I didn't know who he was and my friend started nudging me and saying..do you know who this man is.
He was most gracious and let us take pictures with him as he let us out inside the show. I'll try to find the pics I took. The next few days we saw him more than once inside a nearby bar. He seemed to really enjoy a good mug of suds. I don't think he flew at all at that show. I can't remember the year. It was about 7 or 8 years ago. I remember he had an awesome handlebar moustache. I was saddened to hear of his passing.

Roger

 

[BUFF]

f I hadn't seen Mr. Hoover do his routine in the Commander, I wouldn't have believed it was even physically possible.

When the FAA took away his license, indignant flying authorities in Australia gave him one! He probably flies better even dead than the bureaucrats who tried to ground him.

 

[Mickey D]

I've attended the Reno, NV Air Races for many years and watched Bob Hoover perform in the P-51D Ole Yeller and Shrike.
Now on better IMO.
RIP

circa 1991

 

[Sportsdad60]

Tail winds, Bob!

 

[zzzippper]

To add to the conversation, the Shrike was a beautiful airplane.

 

[zzzippper]

I just found another picture. Well worth posting.

 

[steveno]

here you go

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2rSXkvymcY[/ame]

and some more

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnl3JZwnUZA[/ame]

 

[CQB27]

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air… .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

— John Gillespie Magee, Jr


God Speed Bob Hoover!