Bob Hoover, one of history’s greatest pilots, dead at 94

Minnesota Public Radio ^ | October 25, 2016 | Bob Collins

[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.

[Does so]

Was Bob a member of QB?

[EveningStar]

I don’t know.

[Myrddin]

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.

[wastedyears]

Flying with the angels.

[zipper]

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.

[cll]

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.

[Taxman]

Self ping.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

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

[Does so]

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

[agincourt1415]

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!

[wita]

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