Greatest British (post WW2) miltary pilot
Ah!
Memories. I once interviewed 'Hoser', who, if memory serves, shot his own thumb off! Also Dale S, who was another top bloke.
I don't know about pro-Crab bias. I think that Pete Carmichael's achievement gives him a real claim for that top spot, and I even remembered Sam Drennan, a contender from the Hairy Arm Corps.
Memories. I once interviewed 'Hoser', who, if memory serves, shot his own thumb off! Also Dale S, who was another top bloke.
I don't know about pro-Crab bias. I think that Pete Carmichael's achievement gives him a real claim for that top spot, and I even remembered Sam Drennan, a contender from the Hairy Arm Corps.
Wow,
You interviewed hoser!Tell us more!The guy should have written a book IMO.
He did blow away his thumb with a 20mm rifle...(!)He had to undergo surgery to replace it with his toe and here's the result (Hoser right)!
Snort is well respected in the american airshow circuit and I hear he got into politics these days(!?)
You interviewed hoser!Tell us more!The guy should have written a book IMO.
He did blow away his thumb with a 20mm rifle...(!)He had to undergo surgery to replace it with his toe and here's the result (Hoser right)!
Snort is well respected in the american airshow circuit and I hear he got into politics these days(!?)
I interviewed him for an article about the F-8, some years ago. I'll have to go back and look at my notes for more, I just remember a top bloke who had shot his thumb off - I hadn't remembered the toe, until you mentioned it.
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There's no way "Sharkey Ward" would have been anything without the likes of Bill Bedford. He set one of the standards for TP,s, all those who tested the 'Blunder jet' were in my book the best,
And just to throw another in, what about "Cats Eyes" and his exploits in the Comet.
And just to throw another in, what about "Cats Eyes" and his exploits in the Comet.
I'd kind of thought that the post war emphasis excluded guys like Bea Beamont, Winkle Brown, Peter Twiss, Neville Duke, Mike Lithgow, John Derry, Roly Falk, John Cunningham, Ron Gellatly, Hazel Hazeldean, Jock Bryce, Mutt Summers, and all those great post war TPs who began their careers in (or before) WW2.
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Winkle gets my vote.
More types flown than any one else. First jet carrier landing, first piston twin carrier landing and "flying saucer" chaser. Would have been through the sound barrier before Yeager if Miles had built their X1 lookalike before Bell got the plans.
More types flown than any one else. First jet carrier landing, first piston twin carrier landing and "flying saucer" chaser. Would have been through the sound barrier before Yeager if Miles had built their X1 lookalike before Bell got the plans.
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And with a real engine not a firework up its arse.
I'm a great admirer of Yeager but I wish somebody would tell him that they were not the first with the all flying tailplane.
I am not really qualified to have a opinion on this subject, but I have read a article by a person in a position to know these things that described someone not a million miles from here as the best fighter Pilot in the RAF.
No names no packdrill as you military chaps say.
I'm a great admirer of Yeager but I wish somebody would tell him that they were not the first with the all flying tailplane.
I am not really qualified to have a opinion on this subject, but I have read a article by a person in a position to know these things that described someone not a million miles from here as the best fighter Pilot in the RAF.
No names no packdrill as you military chaps say.
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"Winkle" was in the programme on Chanel 4 Last night. He looks very fit and he WAS and IS a most remarkable man. That first deck landing was an absolute peach - perfect!
But as far as John Farley is concerned. The Harrier would never have gotten anywhere without his immense flying skills AND his ability to dictate, in pure engineering terms, what was required to make the aeroplane what it is today. He has to be in the top of the top TP's.
But as far as John Farley is concerned. The Harrier would never have gotten anywhere without his immense flying skills AND his ability to dictate, in pure engineering terms, what was required to make the aeroplane what it is today. He has to be in the top of the top TP's.
Open minded, analytical, and a great, really gifted communicator (thank god he had a day job 'cos his occasional articles for Flight were great). And a kind, generous, charming and modest bloke, too! John Farley isn't just one of the top TPs, IMHO.
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Jacko - I've had the pleasure to fly with Steve Thomas in Cathay; one of the nicest, most unassuming blokes you could meet, and still a great stick. (Still testing jets for CX, too, I think...).
What about Brian Trubshaw?
As for the US: John Young, Bob Hoover, any of the X-15 drivers.
The ultimate test landing? Neil Armstrong at Tranquility Base.
(And then there was this infamous Canadian who had the best pair of mits I've ever flown with: Eric Matheson....wild man, Eric the Red is still an air race pilot, I believe. F-101's, 104's, '5s and '18's. Landed an L-1011 with totally jammed pitch control at TPE, once...without a scratch. Made landing in Typhoon Kent at Kai Tak just a walk in the park...). Cheers, mate, if you're reading...
What about Brian Trubshaw?
As for the US: John Young, Bob Hoover, any of the X-15 drivers.
The ultimate test landing? Neil Armstrong at Tranquility Base.
(And then there was this infamous Canadian who had the best pair of mits I've ever flown with: Eric Matheson....wild man, Eric the Red is still an air race pilot, I believe. F-101's, 104's, '5s and '18's. Landed an L-1011 with totally jammed pitch control at TPE, once...without a scratch. Made landing in Typhoon Kent at Kai Tak just a walk in the park...). Cheers, mate, if you're reading...
One of the great navy pilots for me was Nick Goodhart who developed the mirror deck landing aid for carriers. Not only did he fly Scimitars off carriers, and anyone who survived a tour doing that was a hero in my eyes, he was one Britain's top glider pilots of his day.
If we're talking glider pilots then Warrant Officer Andy Gough RIP.
Or how about George Lee? Or as a glider pilot/instructor and great chap Bernard Brownlow?
Or how about George Lee? Or as a glider pilot/instructor and great chap Bernard Brownlow?
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I have had an RAF FJ Pilot of the era, tell me a certain PPrune contributor was possibly the best F-4 Pilot in the RAF - ever
Modesty precludes me from naming him, but his book is a bloody good read,especially his modesty over just how good he really was.
Australians?
Gary Cooper , I'd buy that man a drink any day. Bags of courage, and a Spit lover to boot. A genuine Oz hero.
Jacko, on Glider Pilots..... I'd say Mike Edwards , excellent bloke and courageous under fire in his other occupation.
Modesty precludes me from naming him, but his book is a bloody good read,especially his modesty over just how good he really was.
Australians?
Gary Cooper , I'd buy that man a drink any day. Bags of courage, and a Spit lover to boot. A genuine Oz hero.
Jacko, on Glider Pilots..... I'd say Mike Edwards , excellent bloke and courageous under fire in his other occupation.