R.A. "BOB" HOOVER FLIES THE SHRIKE COMMANDER NORTH AMERICAN AIRCRAFT PROMO FILM 84464
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- čas přidán 1. 11. 2018
- This promotional film by North American Rockwell shows R.A. "Bob" Hoover performing maneuvers in the Shrike Commander. The Shrike was a twin piston-engined business aircraft which developed a rather staid reputation, one that Rockwell hired Hoover to debunk. As this film documents, Hoover more than did that -- showing how an aircraft not designed for stunt flying could perform incredibly well.
The Aero Commander 500 family is a series of light-twin piston-engined and turboprop aircraft originally built by the Aero Design and Engineering Company in the late 1940s, renamed the Aero Commander company in 1950, and a division of Rockwell International from 1965. The initial production version was the 200-mph, seven-seat Aero Commander 520. An improved version, the 500S, manufactured after 1967, is known as the Shrike Commander. Larger variants are known by numerous model names and designations, ranging up to the 330-mph, 11-seat Model 695B/Jetprop 1000B turboprop.
R.A. "Bob" Hoover was one of the greatest pilots of his generation. A decorated WWII pilot and test pilot, Hoover was also the back-up pilot during the testing of the Bell X-1 supersonic aircraft. His real claim to fame however came from his work as a stunt pilot. Flying in air shows around the world wearing his trademark wide-brimmed hat, Hoover made the impossible look easy. Hoover's air show career included flights in a P-51 Mustang. The public definitely noticed when he switched to the Shrike Commander, a twin piston-engined business aircraft which had developed a rather staid reputation due to its bulky shape. Hoover showed the strength of the plane as he put the aircraft through rolls, loops, and other maneuvers which most people would not associate with executive aircraft. As a grand finale, he shut down both engines and executed a loop and an eight-point hesitation slow roll as he headed back to the runway. He touched down on one tire, then the other, before landing. After pulling off the runway, he would start engines to taxi back to the parking area. On airfields with large enough parking ramps (such as the Reno Stead Airport where the Reno Air Races take place), Hoover would sometimes land directly on the ramp and coast all the way back to his parking spot in front of the grandstand without restarting the engines.A few years after starting the show he began carrying passengers during his flights. (The Shrike Commander carries six passengers.) These passengers became known as "Hoover's Heavers" due to the number who became airsick during the maneuvers. As you will see in the film, Hoover added a flourish to the act by pouring a glass of iced tea from a pitcher, while performing an aileron roll, a 1G maneuver. Hoover also served for many years as the official starter of the Unlimited-class races at the Reno Air Races. The race planes (mostly modified World War II fighter aircraft) joined up in line-abreast formation on Hoover's yellow P-51 Mustang, and when in satisfactory order the spectators would hear over the PA his famous radio call, "Gentlemen, you have a race." Hoover's plane would pull up sharply into a vertical climb as the racers dove toward the first turn. Hoover would circle overhead during the race, ready to assist any race pilots with problems. In several cases Hoover helped pilots with crippled race planes to a safe recovery by talking them down while flying in formation with them.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com
I was 16 working as a lineman for Bridgeport Flight Service KBDR in 1974 or 75. My boss Sam Braca knew Bob and they were in Sams office talking about old times when I walked in. Bob said sit down and I did. Bob was in his straw hat leaning back in the chair with his cowboy boots on the desk. I felt like I was in the presence of a God. After about an hour of listening to them talk about old days and pilots and airplanes Bob told me I could be in the show he was about to put on for the Barnum Festival Airshow. The bleachers were full on the terminal ramp and I in my orange flight suit followed Bob to his Shrike Commander while the crowd applauded. My job was to pull the nose wheel chock and stay there and put the chock in at the completion of the show. He said he would land with the engines shut down and would be taxiing back to the exact spot rolling in with no power. All I could say was ok ,wondering if he was kidding. He was not. He performed the exact show on this film but rolled with the excess energy right back to me standing on the spot on the ramp. I slid the chock back in as the crowd was wild. Amazing man and pilot. He still inspires me today, I am still flying for an airline 47 years later and still thrilled with his show and the experience!
I would be happy just to be able to fly my own plane even if not as well as Bob!
Good story!! I worked an airshow with Mr. Hoover back in 1989. He did his air routine. Awesome memories.
Awesome story. Never had the pleasure of seeing Bob Hoover, but what an incredibly skilled pilot and a dang good inspiration.. obviously!
Thanks for sharing your story... Bob Hoover was a legend!
In mid 70's I had SEL&S PPL, a pilot for Civil Air Patrol and learned aerobatics in a T-34. and a few hours learning IFR & twin [at the same time no less, my dad/instructor liked to push the envelope]. I watched Hoovers demonstration at Reno Air Races a couple different times, as well as watching him race the Mustang. Amazing experience! Fully appreciated the difficulty and skill involved. I may have done rolls & loops in the T-34 but rarely lower than 5000 ft.
As a kid I had the pleasure of seeing Bob Hoover perform at the Abbotsford airshow many times throughout the 1970's. I saw him in the Shrike Commander, his yellow P-51, and once flying an F-86 Sabre....the man was outstanding.
A Pilot's pilot and Legend, my Aunt Gloria, worked at North American Aviation during WWII as an air-worthiness certifier of all types and was the lead aviator of Group 10 WFTD (Waco) responsible for shuttling aircraft to the ETO & PTO.
After the war she was a founding member of the first All-Womens Transcontinental Air Races aka the "Powder-Puff Derby". A visit to Drysdale is where Bob Hoover and her met, a lifelong friendship began. Aunt Gloria is still with us, thankfully, 110years young! She is still operating her San Diego Horse Ranch but doesn't ride much, which she misses but she does go into the air when my daughters and god-daughter visit, she's taken the controls of their Cirrus Vision and just smiles so big.
She's one of a kind, no wonder Dad called his sister his hero, she is bigger than life, so is Dad and Bob Hoover, whom I'm sure is doing the "Gold Roll" in heaven...
About 20 years ago I saw Hoover at Oshkosh. He was on stage with Chuck Yeager. Bob was stumbling around….couldn’t turn the mic on…looked like he would have a problem driving a car. Then he got into his Shrike Commander and flew this routine. My hair was blown back…he put all the other air show pilots flying that day to shame. Dolittle said he was the “best stick and rudder man that ever lived”…and that is a fact. To top it all off, I know a couple of pilots that knew Bob and they said he was the most pleasant person you could ever hope to meet.
I’ve met people who knew Chuck Yeager and they said he was an insufferable prick.
@@williamwilson6499 I’ve heard the same.
I met Mr. Hoover a few times in the late 60s and early 70s while chasing along in my father's shadow (he was running an airshow). I remember a happy smile and a kind voice from a tall thin man in a straw hat. I loved watching his energy conservation series.
Bob Hoover was outstanding, absolutely outstanding, and in top of this he was extremely modest. The first time I saw the ice tea stunt I was speechless. To me, it's hard enough to pour ice tea without spilling when flying as passenger in an Airliner!
Some people should never die.
I worked for Rockwell in 1975 and help to roll out the P51 at the Borrago Springs Rockwell Flying Club Fly In. I almsot got a ride with Bob. A real stick and rudder Man.
I had the honor of watching Bob Hoover's aerobatics at two different airshows. The last show he did a routine in his P-51 culminating in a dead stick landing followed by a 180° swing into a parking space, no engine.
Then he went up in the Commander and repeated everything including the dead stick landing and park job. Amazing aircraft; amazing airman.
Godspeed Robert.
Suit and tie, owns it. He was the greatest pilot of all time.
The best pilot ever.
I agree ROBERT IS A CAPABLE and good pilot
He is a good and fearless pilot
A pilot who will act without fear and earn a lot of respect
Very little room for argument there.
Just about the only ‘old bold pilot’ I’ve heard of.
It's not bold if you know exactly what you're doing. Read his book, he practiced all these maneuvers to perfection above an overcast layer.
I had the pleasure of seeing Bob Hoover perform few times over the years in his Shrike commander. He was an exceptional pilot.
I will try yto the morning and I will try to get you
I saw him do this performance at El Toro Marine Base way back in the early 80's at their airshow. Amazing pilot and showman. Dressed in suit and tie, with an very incredible fedora type hat. The last part of his show was power off through several maneuvers and then land, taxi right up to show center and park. Amazing.
I was lucky enough to see Bob Hoover perform his Energy Management Series when I was a kid. I didn't really appreciate the piloting skill required until much later as a pilot myself. He truly was an amazing pilot...that is probably teaching angels how to fly.
One of his quotes..”An airplane only recognizes one thing, and that’s airspeed”
In the fighter world, "Speed is life".
45 years ago my CFI was an instructor at Miramar..... He drummed into me, "Airspeed and altitude, never run out of both at the same time." And, "Always be ready to trade one for the other when necessary."
@@ajwilson605 Yep, my instructor told me altitude is a good insurance policy because If the engine quits gives you plenty of time to find a decent place to land. I never knew when he was going to reach over and just pull the throttle to idle and say OK you just lost your engine. Fun times
@@ajwilson605 Saying I heard similar to what your instructor said….”airspeed, altitude, brains…you need two of the three to fly”.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Hoover on a couple of occasions. Class act. He took the time to speak to everybody, including us ‘little people,’ people, even when nobody was looking. He was genuinely enthusiastic and loved his role in aviation history. One of those rare individuals that never really ‘worked’ in his life. Bob Hoover made his living being Bob Hoover. One of the absolute best.
Suit and tie, owns it. He was the greatest pilot of all time. A true gentleman of the air.
I met Bob Hoover at a Las Vegas airshow. I was a fighter pilot so we could speak the same lingo. I ask him how in the hell could an aircraft could fly acrobatics when not designed for acro. His simple answer: Hell, it only knows g-forces within limits and airspeed. Attitude doesn't matter.
I think the same was said by the test pilot who barrel rolled a 707. Done properly, a barrel roll is essentially a 1g maneuver. Cage the gyros and go...
I have seen Bob perform many times, what a legend. I swear he scared me to death on multiple occasions, but Bob was always fully in control. You will be missed brother.
I saw him do this performance at El Toro Marine Base way back in the early 80's at their airshow. Amazing pilot and showman. Dressed in suit and tie, with an very incredible fedora type hat. The last part of his show was power off through several maneuvers and then land, taxi right up to show center and park. Amazing.
I also had the pleasure of seeing Bob perform these stunts. My father was Robert Fero, the chief test pilot at Rockwell at the time and also a very good pilot, but he had unbounded respect and appreciation for Bob Hoover.
One hell of a pilot. Usually, I like to run my mouth, but this guy has left me speechless.
OMG!!! I'm Speechless!!! What A Man!!! He looks like a typical biddness man from the 1960's, but what more proof do you need to, "Never judge A book by it's cover"!!!! Truly they were the "Greatest Generation"!!!
top gun this guy ever day of the week and twice on sundays
I met Bob back in the late 80’s. I was only around 9 or 10 but before o knew who he was I had this feeling he was an aviation God. Only later to find out he really was I’m proud to say I had the opportunity to have spoken to him and he treated me with so much respect. I wish I was only half the pilot he was.
Alright, I already knew that Bob was a master pilot, but that thing with pouring a glass of iced tea in a barrel roll is a whole step beyond. Educational, too.
Amazing that Bob Hoover lived to reach the age of 94. Thank you Periscope for this. Stefan, Amsterdam
I got to meet Bob, twice. I remember his genuine great big smile. Both times, he welcomed you like an old friend.
I soloed in april 68. In 72 saw Bob at an airshow, he signed the back of my solo cert, which the School gave everyone. Still have it somewhere.lol
Bob Hoover and Art Scholl , 2 gentleman I have seen so many times since the early 70's with Reno being the most and Hoover saying as a pace race escort...." Gentleman, you have a race" They are still flying now, just not where we can see them.
I never saw Bob fly but I did get to see Art before he was lost…lots of stuff like hammerheads when no one was doing them.
I saw him do this live. It was amazing. Few knew that he went to Korea and taught the USAF pilots how to better fly their fighter jets and not get shot down. The kill ratio changed dramatically. Bob also was a wingman to Chuck Yeagers supersonic flight.
I met Bob several years ago at the Reno Air Races. His job was his show and being the guardian angel to the racers in case of emergency. Cool guy!
I’m sitting slack jawed and wide eyed at this man’s prowess! Man alive, can this friggn fly! Amazing! And as he says in the end, the aircraft is pretty bloody good too!
I saw this performance in 1974 at Pomona NJ. (Now Atlantic City airport). He was an awesome pilot!
In 1977? I watched Bob do all this at EAA, Oshkosh. Later, post 2000, I saw him do the same routine again at EAA, Oshkosh. This time, he did the performance farther out (in case he crashed, less chance of people getting killed), and the Tower checked his status, asking for a wing wag, after each maneuver. He did it just as well as I had seen the first time. If I remember right, he was 77 years old. I remember reading at the time that he had to get some kind of approval from the FAA, because of his age. Amazing guy, amazing pilot, not to mention WW2 hero.
I got to see Bob Hoover fly about 20 yrs. ago at a Fun n Sun show down in fl. and the tricks he did in this very plain was just amazing.
i knew I was getting old when I went to the Smithsonian air museum at Dulles and saw Bob's airplanes there , what a great pilot !
Absolutely legend. Saw him fly the Shrike at KAPA in mid 90s, perfect control & energy management. Standing on the ramp with my mentor & boss @ LM, Norm (RIP..) who was laughing tears at Hoover’s “colorful” language on tower frequency waiting for takeoff - he had a stuck mike!
I knew and flew with Bob, and he's probably the best stick of his time. He was a natural aviation. The best!
He was the epitome of a natural pilot, combined with an aeronautical education second to none. Raw talent educated to Ph.D levels combined.
Wow , first time I seen this beautiful little aircraft, Must be a joy to fly
Always glad Bobs glasses never fell off in all that maneuvering...
any other pilot woulda lived a much shorter flying life. man was an angel
I was fortunate enough to see Bob take off or land his Mustang with the "Evergreen" livery a few times when it was hangared at Zamperini Field (Torrance)
Bob lived right up the hill in Palos Verdes. I useta clean the carpets at his house.met him many times great guy
They say "there are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots" Well. Here is an old, bold pilot who is an exception to the rule.
I think the best comment I ever heard on his flying of the Shrike was, ''He has helped to sell many Shrikes, but not that one''!
Got to see Bob once. Many years ago at the Medicine Hat Alberta air show. The Shrike demo was memorable!
Got to Bob Hoover a couple of times when I was younger. Amazing show of stick and rudder flying.
The Greatest sales pitch in the history of Aircraft
No doubt
I think there's one with Yeager in it also. I vaguely remember something
Got it! Its for the F-20 Tigershark and the most 80's and Murican thing ever! Like they're selling a dodge viper. Its great!
czcams.com/video/6BDgQwlfHII/video.html
But this routine by bob is mesmerising. I watched it so many times as a kid because it was part of a documentary series my grandfather had taped for my dad. I think it was called reaching for the skies and was very well produced
Bob Hoover, was an Exceptional pilot and all around Great Guy!
I saw Bob Hoover flying at the Reno Air Races decades ago. His skill as a pilot may be unparalleled in all time. Power on maneuvers, one engine out, both engines out. All the same maneuvers, 8 & 16 point rolls and cuban 8s. Pure pilot finesse. All with a glass of ice tea mounted in the cockpit, never a drop spilled. The G.O.A.T. That said and I'm a huge Chuck Yeager fan and appreciate the skills of air racers and demo pilots of any age.
I watched him fly the Mooney MU 2 Aero Commander and the Mustang many times in Sarasota, Florida. Awe inspiring. He was one of the greatest pilots that ever lived. Watching him do an 8 point roll in his Mustang just feet off the runway and then fly it upside down the length of the runway was awesome, almost unbelievable. Usually in his business suit!
Charles Duke : Slight correction...not sure he ever flew the MU-2 in aerobatics....dont think even Bob would want to do that...I flew the MU-2 and it wasnt inherently unsafe, but you had to fly it by the numbers and not by the seat of your pants.
Mr. Hertzer. It was in the late 60s early 70s. It was a twin engine high wing Mooney business plane. He flew that timer for money. It was a plane made over in Japan I remember correctly. He also flu is P 51 Mustang. He brought it to Sarasota because the only place in the world that time I have the rights to the P 51 Mustang was a business located on the Sarasota airport. During the Vietnam war I think it was North American bought the rights back and that business closed. So he did do an eight point roll And many other scary aerobatic maneuver’s many times and perhaps the reason they had him doing it was because he’s a really great pilot. I believe it was called an Aerocommander AKA an MU2. Might be wrong all these years later but it was definitely a Mooney high wing business aircraft and he was there promoting for Mooney.
Charles Duke : hello Charles...yes you are describing the Mitsubishi MU-2, made in Japan and marketed by Mooney aircraft in I believe Texas. Thanks for the info, did not know Hoover flew the MU-2. Regards, Erik
Charles, you flew DC-#s back in the 80s?
I have seen this demonstartion twice. Simply amazing!
Greatest stick and rudder man I ever saw.
Bob flew 58 missions before being shot down in ww2. He spent some time in a pow camp, but escaped by stealing a German fighter jet.. quite the hero was bob!!!
It was a FW-190 though, not a jet. Not even Bob Hoover could have stolen & flown a German jet in 1945. Legend.
Had the pleasure of watching him at Danville Ky air show in the 80’s,Very proud to receive his autograph and just becoming a pilot myself
Saw him several times back in the early 70's. Great show by a great pilot. Anyone else notice the right main flopping down in the view from the tail?
I'll bet this aircraft sold well because with a competent pilot it obviously likes to fly. But with a truly exceptional pilot it is literally jaw-dropping performance for a business aircraft. Bob Hoover was at the very top of America's best pilots, ever.
It’s hard for someone without any knowledge on aviation to fully understand and appreciate what Bob Hoover could accomplish in that Shrike Commander. It’s a great lesson in energy management as Bob always said.
Incredible energy management. Notice the RH wheel coming out of the wheel well during shots from the tail.
Why was the sheep coming out ?
Seeing Bob do this at the 25th Reno air races was Awesome. Saw him do this in you ask for it on a B&W TV.
This clip looks like it was from that decade n
A pilot's pilot, and he does it all dressed to the nines. What a guy!
I saw Hoover's Shrike show a good number of years back... Amazing! Also, unlike just about all of the other pilots I saw that day, his maneuvers were not announced beforehand on the P.A. It added an element of surprise in addition to all the amazing stuff that he did... It so happens there is a gold course right next to the airport with enough hills and trees that Hoover could fly low and hide the plane from view by the crowd. (I'm guessing the golf course was closed for the show, or we would have had a lot of golfers messing their pants out there after seeing a speeding Shrike Commander blazing down the fairway right toward them, 10 feet off the ground...)
Bob Hoover was an amazing pilot, it will be a very long time before there is another who can fly a plane the way he did.
✅Wow! This video was insane! ... And it wasn't until the ice tea demo that I realized that I had seen this video when I as a kid. I appreciate this so much more now that I'm in my 50's. 👍
Bob was one of the best to ever do it, and the Twin Commander was one of the best to do it with. Such a beastly aircraft, has such presence for a mid size airplane, and a great sound too.
Wish my Dad was still around to see this video
エンジンカットした後の運動エネルギーだけでの８ポイントロール(しかも脚出し！)とか正に神業❗ゴッドハンドな飛行技術。そして常にスーツ姿のボブ･フーバー氏の紳士ぶりが素敵でした。
Wish they’d make the commander again with pressurized, twin Astro diesels (or new twin turbines) maybe using carbon composite or newer building technology. Beautiful planes. Bob was an amazing pilot and probably single handily is responsible for most of the sales of that era.
Chuck Yeager said Bob was the best pilot he ever knew. I agree!
Just saw his P-51 Ol’ Yeller in a hanger inside Rexburg Idaho. Needless to say I was in total shock to stand next to such an iconic and legendary aircraft.
I saw it there several years ago. I stopped in for a visit after passing it by for many years. I'm sure glad I did. At the time they were doing a restoration on a Bell King Cobra.
A great routine marred by poor sound effects added afterward. Prop noise added when engines are off and the props are feathered. I got the see Bob's performance in person in the late 1970's and the un-powered aircraft sounded only like someone loudly exhaling as it passed us. It was a real treat. Art Sholl had just completed his routine and excitedly ran out onto the flight-line to watch Bob with the rest of us
One great Pilot & a great plane!
Mr Hoover certainly was a very skilled pilot.
And his vacuums weren't bad either.
@@Maxfr8 Yep, and his dam is still standing too.
Waswollt Ihr : practice makes perfect...
@@Maxfr8 that vacuum joke sucked! 😜🤣🤣🤣
Great Pilot,Had the pleasure of seeing him perform a couple of times,Sure miss having him around.
Bob was down behind enemy lines and stole a fighter and flew home.
Bob was Yeager's backup on the mach 1 flight, his replacement had Yeager not flown with broken ribs... Hoover would have been THE MACH MAN...
and Hoover flew the P80 chase plane on Y's mach 1 flight.
Bob Hoover is the greatest pilot that ever lived. Period. 👍👍👍
Actually he was demoted for using an f86 to buzz a friend's house whose wife was fooling around. Read Forever flying. Especially the Mig 15 story.. I talked with him once up at the Reno Air Races. He was a great guy and an incredible pilot. However we passed him on 395 and in a car he was the little old man looking over the wheel staring straight ahead. I hoped to get a photo from our car but he never turned his head to either side even once.
...because driving is dangerous!
I watched him perform at BeeLine dragway 50 years ago and at a number of air shows through the years in the Phx area... We hosted an air show at Deer Valley flew at.. he was pretty amazing to watch...
Uncle Bob was the best thing about working at Aero Commander. I worked in Technical Publications If he was in town he was always tuning the flight manuals ,service manuals , parts manuals and sales literature.
Saw him in Reno in the mid 70's as a young boy, my hero since!
One of the ULTIMATE Aviators. May he rest in peace.
I saw him fly multiple times in the 80s and 90s ... Shrike and Mustang ... not sure that anyone would fly this tight of show this low nowadays!
The coat and tie was a nice touch.
I saw Bob at Abbotsford Airshow in BC Canada in the 70’s always a crowd pleaser!
That was an amazingly total pleasure for me to watch. Thanks
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Well said it before, but what a tuned to the aircraft pilot is bob! A god who walks amongst mortals. The aircraft is a beautifully sorted bit of gear too. Just fckn amazing. Some people just have 'it'. One of the if I didn't see it I wouldn't believe it scenarios!! Just incredible!! Kudos to Bob and the designers and builders of the Shrike!!
Omg well done all of you
I had the opportunity to see him many times and even today his smoothness is amazing. He once said he felt part of the aircraft he glies
I saw him more than once at Oshkosh - doing the routine with two engines, then one, then dead-stick - great stuff.
Bob Hoover flew to Birmingham Al. In the early 2000s . Several aircraft mechanics and myself walked out to greet him. He was the most gracious celebrity signing autographs and answering questions about his Shrike. He was a real gentleman and true ambassador to aviation enthusiasts everywhere 😃
Fantastic Bob..
What a great pilot
Truly a great pilot!! Only one Bob Hoover. R. I. P
incredible. And wearing a suit a tie all the time. That's class and skill beyond belief.
Unreal. What a stud.
Two things. 1. This dude has incredible skills and talent. Amazing. 2. There’s a reason why you would lose your license if you tried many of those stunts today.
You'd certainly lose your life, never mind the license!
Awesome thanks for the rides
There was no other pilot who could equal what he could do with an airplane.
Simply one of the best ever!!!
Incredible. Especially in a business class plane.
Different and far better breed of man back then. We need them today.
Great respect. 💪💪
My uncle worked for North American and later Rockwell in procurement. Bob was very well known around the companies. He was a full on stick and rudder man.
The Pilots PILOT! I've seen his show, in person, at Purdue University. Fantastic is putting it mildly! R.I.P. Mr. Hoover.
Bob Hoover taught God how to fly, true story!
I saw Bob Hoover at an airshow at Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport in the 60's when I was a kid. His flying abilities amazed me even then. I read somewhere that Chuck Yeager couldn't stay on his tail at fighter training school. Since I work at an Air Force base in Hawaii, I have heard many, many negative comments about Chuck Yeager's ego. Yeager's skill is without question but I would rate Bob Hoover over Chuck Yeager without hesitation.
Excellent pilot
7:23: "Bob. BOB! Enough with the aerobatics! Just get me to Sheboygan!"
Amazing piloting and an exceptional airplane.
I've seen Bob fly. He was excellent. Thanks.