Many years ago I had a chat with a guy who claimed he was flying chase for Tex Johnson when he did the famous roll. Yet no published pics show a chase plane that close. His story goes like this.
First understand that on that day, the dash-80 ( 707) was going thru normal flight test stuff, and got permission to make a low alt pass over the hydroplane races.
As chase at that time, an f-86 with modified gun cameras were used for certain tests.
As chase he knew the flight plans for the day- and a roll was NOT in the plan- but a low alt pass was.
His story was that he was in trail far back at that time so as to NOT distract from the flyover.
He was focused on the dash -80 and following every turn and altitude change. He had been an airforce f-86 pilot before working at Boeing
As tex started the roll, he instinctively followed- and supposedly his gun cameras were on for that pass.
As he went upside down- he thought maybe Tex had a problem- and there he was- low altitude- upside down and if the plane ahead came unglued he was a goner.
So he started a mayday call - immediately tex came on and said ' shutup kid ' - startled he un keyed.
When he landed, all hell broke loose- The then equivalent to the FAA wanted his license.
They were certain he had to have known what tex would do- that it was a no no etc.
Luckily, tapes were available of the transmissions- proving he was startled .
He was insistent that somewhere in BA archives are his gun camera films. Never to be shown
As a matter of record- Bill Allen wanted it kept out of the local papers- and it was. Even though over 50,000 people on and around lake washington saw it.
Bill Allen never mentioned it publically until he retired . .
And FWIW Tex later was claimed to have said he had done such a roll in every moddel airplane he was involved in flight test.
He was test pilot on the B-52
FWIW
