Bob Hoover: A Legendary Stick and Rudder Man
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- čas přidán 17. 02. 2014
- Robert A. "Bob" Hoover presented the Charles A. Lindbergh Memorial Lecture on May 18, 2010.
Hoover is a fighter, military, and civilian test and air show pilot of legendary proportions. Using his superb piloting skills to fly aircraft to the edge of their performance capabilities, Hoover has left an indelible mark in aviation history. During his Air Force and North American Aviation careers, he flew 58 combat missions (and as a WWII POW flew himself to freedom), served as back-up pilot on the Bell X-1 and tested a wide array of fighter aircraft. As an ambassador of aviation, Hoover flew aerobatic routines in a North American P-51 Mustang, the T-39, and the Aero Commander fleet, culminating in the Shrike Commander 500S, at more than 2,500 civilian and military air shows. During this talk, Bob Hoover discussed his career in aviation and some of the pilots he has known including Orville Wright, Eddie Rickenbacker, Charles Lindbergh, Jacqueline Cochran, Neil Armstrong, and Yuri Gagarin.
This lecture was made possible through the generous support of Bombardier.
More about Bob Hoover on our blog: ow.ly/uCCX4
Bob Hoover's Shrike Commander on display at the Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: ow.ly/uCD39
![Video from the Past [33] - Bob Hoover - American Test Pilot](/img/n.gif)
RIP Mr. Hoover. You the the greatest stick and rudder pilot ever...
WONDERFUL - 88 years old at the time and a walking living history museum
Long story short. Worked the line and flew charters in the early 80s in McMook, Neb. We also had a Rolls engine overhaul shop and did one for Bobs P-51. We had an airshow that summer. I was going to ride in the 51 but my boss wanted to so I ended up riding with Bob in the Shrike during his routine. I was glad I did it was the most enjoyable ride in my flying career except for taking my wife up over a mile and putting the autopilot on.. Nuff said about that !!! Bob was a hell of a nice guy and enjoyed the time with he and Drisioll. I am 71 now and have never forgotten that day.
Sorry for the late reply, but that is a really neat story!
Cheers!
Boy! do I envy you!
I'm not a pilot. Stop air cft stories, pls. old af 20250 a1c, w / 2 over sea tours. dd-214af 6-1962, ok. tks.
When I was little my father took me to a show in Joplin, MO. Mr. Hoover flew that afternoon, I won't ever forget that. Partly for the thrill of seeing Bob Hoover fly and getting an autograph and partly because I just loved hanging out with my dad. At that same show, my dad purchased tickets for us to go on a ride on a Ford Tri-Motor. Dad isn't with us anymore but this was one of thousands of things he did for me in my life. Thank You Dad My life has been so much richer because of you.
0:40 “…Best (pilot) advice I’ve ever seen: When faced with a force landing, fly the airplane as far through the crash as possible.” Hopefully advice that few of us will ever need! Thank you Bob!
R.I.P. Bob Hoover. You were a legend in you own time. The aviation world lost a great man and pilot.
Wow. I'm a docent at the nasm uhc. My colleagues think I am long winded. They need to watch this. What a guy.
Miss you, friend. Sure miss your stories sitting there in the hanger in Torrance.
Bob Hoover is living American History what a privilege it is to have these videos.
Sadly Bob Hoover passed away today
Just saw that sad news I'm sure glad he did the videos answer so many questions about the details of Historical making events.
He is the World Honoured Aviation History... R.I.P. Mr. .Hoover
The world needs more human beings just like R.A. Bob Hoover
There are a few people I wish would live forever. The greatest pilot ever is one of them. RIP Sir.
Only airshow I saw Bob preform at was at Paine Field (PAE) in 1970. He amazed me with the Shrike. I was a kid working lineman, attending Everett Community College in their first Airframe Mechanic class, Draft number had me in the Navy by December 1970, spent 23 years in Naval Aviation, A-6 on carriers, and 8500+ hours in US-2, C-1A, UH-1N, AH-1J and all models of P-3 aircraft over 23 years. One thing I've always wished for was a flight with Bob in that Shrike! I've flown with some great sticks (and been told I'm not bad), but Bob flys at another level entirely.
Bob Hoover was and still is one of my heroes on the same level as my father. An American icon. God bless you and keep you Mr. Hoover.
Rest in Peace Aviator. I am blessed to have seen this great man fly his Shrike and his P-51; and to hear him speak at Oshkosh.
Probably the greatest pilot that graced the skies where ever he went. R I P Mr Hoover. You have now got your wings and flown to the great hangar in the skies, where you can sit all day talking about aviation.
My grandfather was a B-24 pilot in WWII and was friends with Mr. Hoover. He introduced me to him in the 1970s when I was a kid. I had no idea who he was. Afterwards grandpa told me all sorts of stories about him. RIP, Mr. Hoover. You will be missed by many, many people.
RIP Bob! Truly the best pilot America produced and a kind and gentle man. Bob was most helpful in my committee's effort to save Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose back in 1980. A beautiful guy. You will be missed Bob.
I first saw Bob Hoover put on a display at Furstenfeldbruck, Germany in a line F-86. He was amazing. I still remember the roll on takeoff. He was inverted and climbing before the gear doors were closed! I doubt we shall again see his equal.
greatest stick-and-rudder man who ever lived..!! RIP Bob.... you had an amazing life !!
This is a great Pilot and man...
Amen Bob, from Australia you are still the best pilot on this planet. My man, my pilot, my idol Robert a (Bob) hoover
I was in the audience when he spoke here and I got to meet and speak with him for a couple of minutes. My excitement overcame my remembrance to ask him for his autograph, which I deeply regret. What a gentleman.
What a man, what a pilot.
thank you Bob for all of the good service you have done for this country. You will always be remembered as our national hero!. Hip hip hurray.
One of the greats of America's greatest generation. Rest In Peace. 🇺🇸
My greatest memory as a kid was watching him fly the shrike. He would cut the power and loop in front of the crowd...passing by with a wooosh.....with both props still as can be. As a 10 year old my mind was blown. This man is in the top 5 greatest pilots i ever saw. Thank you sir for your service, thank you for performing amazing feats of aviation. God speed...
Amazing man and such a wonderful gift he shared with us for many, many years. As they say "they just don't make them like that anymore" Godspeed Mr. Hoover 🙏🏻
I wish I could go back in time and convince Bob to be my first flight instructor.
I'm not unhappy with my first flight instructor, I just think having an absolute master as a flight instructor would be an unbelievably cool experience.
RIP Bob, you are a legend.
What an extraordinary gentleman. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
So glad to have seen him fly the Shrike in person at Oshkosh!
i was at "THE GATHERING OF MUSTANGS AND LEGENDS" in Columbus OH. Sept 2007 got to shake his hand and thank him for his contributions to flight saftey.
Bob Hoover was one of the best pilots ever...absolute legend!
So proud to have actually met this outstanding man.
Thanks for posting this. What an honor to see and hear these personal stories. To many of these guys bottle up the stories and we miss them. My own father refused to tell me anything about his experience in Korea. I enjoyed every minute, even when the audio got static or very low. God bless our fighting Ken and women.
What an incredible human being. They just don't make them like this anymore.
i see bob in reno, every year great man...
Met him briefly at Sun & Fun in 2008. What a gentlemen. His Sharpie signature has mostly faded of my headset but the memories are there. Stick & Rudder legend. RIP Mr. Hoover.
What a legend. Blue Skies, Sir.
Rip amazing pilot and humble man
Thanks for posting a great video of a great man.
What a hell of a ride!!!!!
I saw Bob Hoover fly his Shrike at Arlington WA in 1997. His performance was as
smooth as butter. He made it look easy, but you knew he was working and calling on muscle memory to make it appear that way. He cut both engines, did a loop, and landed and rolled to a stop on the spot he had predicted. 😗👌
Awesome pioneer of aviation and a great American.
Brilliant talk! I saw Bob Hoover for the first time in my life doing his display in the Shrike Commander at Lanseria Airport, near Johannesburg, South Africa in 1977! I was very impressed indeed with the way he flew that aircraft, and how with dead engines he landed it, rolled it in hundreds of yards, to the parking spot and stepped out in his suit and straw boater hat to acknowledge the cheers of the crowd!
So glad I took the opportunity years ago to shake this man's hand at Oshkosh Air Show.
Thanks for posting this great video. What a man and what a pilot. Wish I could have met him.
Another pilot I've met (also @ Air Show) Hoover & Yeager!
Godspeed, Bob Hoover.
RIP
I saw you at London, Ontario back in the day, in your Shrike Commander.
Spectacular.
PS Thank you for your service.
RIP Mr. Hoover
Amazing flyer.... simply amazing. Saw him fly at an air show in the 70s, ... unbelievable.
A great presentation!!
Amazing multi skilled pilot i salute with all my respect sir.
hello my guys thanks for sharing keep up the great work GOD bless you'll
Greatest man who ever lived
A hero.
Long story short he's literally the most important pilot of all time
I was able to see him fly the P51 and Shrike at Carrington, ND and again at Mandan,ND. Great shows.
Dirty shame that this presentation was limited to 1:20:34... I was riveted and time for me stood still.
Goodbye Mr Hoover. Blue skies.
Thanks for posting this , Much Respect :) QC
RIP Bob!!
I interviewed 21 WWII veterans so far. One of them name is David Hamilton. He was a C-47 Pathfinder Pilot in 4 missions. One was the Normandy Invasion, Operation Dragoon, Operation Market Garden and Bastogne. He dropped paratroopers and British paratroopers. His dad was a Medal of Honor Recipient in North Africa in Morocco and was one of the first AAF members that got it. His dad served on Eisenhower’s Staff and became a Major General later on. Dave and other from the Troop Carrier Pathfinder Group had to go get the engines signed in Casablanca because Dave lost an engine going through. The guy who signed his engine was Bob Hoover. Dave flew 50 missions in Korea and they experienced heavy flak which were MIGS and wounded his navigator and gunner. He lost his Wing Commander from a direct hit in the Bombay and exploded. Dave flew jets for Air Defense Command and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
The Greatest............
What an absolute legend!
RIP...Amazing Pilot...
The painting Hoover talks about:"One Heck of a Deflection Shot"
by Heinz Krebs is horrible...🤣
loved him on Sesame Street too
Amazing :}
My dad was also a great stick and rudder man....t. winchester from traverse city mi. Anyone remember him?
Hi, I believe your father was a great instructor as I finished my ticket at TVC, 1960. Take care, Chuck
@@maryferguson6586 1960...our first year at tvc...I was 5 years old. Dad is gone now....loved flying!
Dad checked out Bob in t39s at naa , said he felt like throwing his wings in the trash after flying with him , lol
Shame on the FAA And other agencias that judge with a garaje mentality. He was a grate pilot And human Boeing!
Does anyone know how he was able to steal the FW190 from a revetement when he'd never flown one before, and didn't speak or read german? Did someone brief him before he got in the cockpit? I can't find a detailed acccount. Thanks.
I've had the pleasure to shack Bob's hand. He truly is one of a kind.
Legened!!!!!!
Totally sucks i could never shake his hand. I can buy his "deflection shot" painting but that is nothing compared to just being able to shake a lengend's hand.
Hannah Reitsch smokes Bob Hoover in so many ways...
The day with Mr. Hoover or your wife?
the stick and rudder man?
Those are the flight surface controls on a simple airplane.