Aviation legend bob hoover was born and raised in nashville, tennessee as a simple guy with a passion for flight. Bob hoover, a world war ii fighter pilot who escaped a pow camp and. After a stellar career as a test pilot involved in shepherding some of this nations most important airframes into history, including his support of the early bell x1. Test, combat, and air show pilot for the united states air force. Bob hoover performs aerobatic maneuvers in the twin engine aero commander shrike business aircraft. In 1989 an air show was held at brown field in san diego the test pilot bob hoover was taking thrill seekers for flights in his shrike commander, a small, piston powered, passenger plane. Bob hoover, a storied airman who belies the aviation adage that there are old pilots and bold pilots but no old, bold pilots. The museum is proud to display bobs last airshow aircraft, a stock north american rockwell shrike commander 500s, in which he flew the final iteration of his trademark energy. Wwii pilot and aerobatics pioneer was one of the most accomplished aviators of all time. That is a pretty good endorsement from a man who probably knew what he was talking about. Called the pilot s pilot for his skill, dedication, and heroism in flight, robert a.
I spent time with bob off and on over the years and a couple of things really stood out that set him apart. It really gives insight into his skill and his aversion to taking risks. Bob hoover is a member of greatest generation and there may never be another fighter pilot like him. Forever flying by bob hoover, 9780671537616, download free ebooks, download free pdf epub ebook. Bob hoover lands a heinkel he 162 at edwards after the war. Bob hoover is a former air show pilot and united states air force test pilot, known for his widebrimmed straw hat and wide smile. Barnstormer, world war ii fighter, pioneering test pilot, aerobatic geniusbob hoover is a true american hero. We are honored to be able to perpetuate his legacy through the bob hoover trophy.
Mar 06, 2015 bob hoover is a former air show pilot and united states air force test pilot, known for his widebrimmed straw hat and wide smile. There was a lot of technical information about combat aviation and the aircraft used by these pilots but i felt that this was important to the story he told. Bob hoover was a gentleman in addition to being a great pilot. Bob hoover, shown in a north american t28, left rockwell international to join del smiths evergreen international aviation company in 1986. According to jimmy doolittle bob hoover was the greatest stick and rudder pilot who ever lived. An army air corps fighter pilot, hoover was shot down on his 59th mission and was held as a. Robert anderson bob hoover january 24, 1922 october 25, 2016 was a fighter pilot in the. Bob hoover, a world war ii fighter pilot who became an aviation legend for his flying skills in testing aircraft and demonstrating their capabilities in air shows, has died at age 94. Hoover was there on chuck yeagers wing as his chase and backup pilot when yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947. Bob hoover, the pilots pilot paperback january 1, 1978 by dick morley author 2. Hoover s exploits were many including a thrilling wwii escape from a german pow camp, made possible by his theft of a luftwaffe fighter plane to make his way to freedom. Known as the pilot s pilot, hoover revolutionized modern aerobatic flying and has been referred to in many aviation circles as one of the greatest pilots ever to have lived.
Learning of hoovers death, aopas baker reflected on the award. In this exclusive, neverbeforereleased interview, bob hoover, renowned. This year, the usafa class of 2020 chose bob hoover. What would you want young people to know about aviation through bob hoovers eyes.
Oct 26, 2016 bob hoover, a pilot who escaped nazi captivity in a stolen plane, tested supersonic aircraft with his friend chuck yeager, barnstormed the world as a breathtaking stunt performer and became, by. Apr 14, 2020 as a test pilot and later as a squadron and air group commander, adm. Bob hoover obituary palos verdes estates, ca the monitor. Chuck yeager left and bob hoover share a laugh during the 1999 gathering of mustangs and legends. Legendary world war ii fighter pilot bob hoover dead at 94. Video from the past 33 bob hoover american test pilot. Bob hoover, a world war ii fighter pilot who escaped a pow camp and flew to freedom by stealing a german airplane and who spent decades testing aircraft, thrilling spectators at air shows and. As a fellow pilot and airshow participant i felt lucky to stand in his company and learn from his tales and tidbits of flying technique. In his book, he wrote a lot about us, our togetherness. Bob both spoke and listened to his aviation dreams. After world war ii bob hoover was recruited by north american aviation to test experimental aircraft. Neverbeforereleased interview with bob hoover aopa. Edward feightner, world war ii ace who helped develop navy. Bob hoover is considered the greatest of all by airmen worldwide.
Bob hoover memorial flyover and his amazing piloting. Bud anderson, gen tex hill, gen gunther rall, bob hoover. Bob and colleen hoover enjoy the 2003 society of experimental test pilots annual symposium and banquet. He is a daredevil who was nearly thrown into soviet prison after showing off in an international aerobatic competition. Hoover used his extensive test pilot and fighter pilot skills to become a legendary airshow pilot and brought a simple business aircraft to international attention. Now, in forever flying, he tells his amazing story, sharing all the thrills and chills, spectacular stunts and deathdefying exploits that have made him a. Bob hoover, aviator whose aerobatic stunts are legend.
Forever flying book by bob hoover official publisher. Renowned and respected by other pilots, he has flown with a skill that is rare. Robert hoover, a former army air corps, air force and civilian test pilot of nashville, tennessee, was taken captive by the germans after being shotdown by the luftwaffe over france during world war ii. World famous aviator and fighter pilot, robert bob hoover, who escaped the nazis during wwii by stealing a plane, dead at age 94. In the cockpit with bob hoover passion for flight book 2 and millions of other books. But he badmouthed countless good men and bllitted wildly after hed flown the x4 and found it wanting he insisted that they junked it then and there which must be news to the other x4 pilots, who flew many missions after him, and who suggested only that the aircraft did require a pilot with finesse. Oct 08, 2017 there are absolute tons of great books listed in the answers already, although i have not seen the one i read most recently, which has captivated me from the first couple of pages to the point where i lugged it up with me while climbing mount snow. His life is the subject of several books and films.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Hoover was shot down behind enemy lines in germany in 1944 and executed a daring escape. His career covered everything from fighter planes, experimental aircraft, airshow stunts and he will always be known as the pilot s pilot. In more than 50 years of flying, the legendary air show pilot performed. The obituary was featured in daily breeze on october 25, 2016, and legacy on october 25, 2016. Fifty years of highflying adventures, from barnstorming in pro by hoover, bob isbn. Bob hoover trophy reception at ronald reagan washington national airports historic terminal in washington, d. Bob hoover and celebrate those in the aviation industry who are carrying on his legacy during the 2019 aopa r. His book will allow you to share in his life, one filled with aircraft, flying and pushing the envelope.
See all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. I was blessed to have met the author and aviation icon, bob hoover in the mid80s. The fascinating story of one of the greatest pilots of all time. He was a great man and a model for what our community can and should be. Oct 25, 2016 bob hoover passed away on october 25, 2016 at the age of 94. Famed aviator bob hoover, who escaped nazis by stealing. If you are a pilot or a fan of bob hoover, then you should read this book. Hoover, a world war ii fighter pilot who became an. This famous book, god is my co pilot was written by robert l. In the cockpit with bob hoover is the second volume in a series of short biographies 20,000 words or less regarding notable pilots whose passion for flight inspires young and old alike to take to the skies.
Bob hoover learned to fly at nashvilles berry field while working at a local grocery store to pay for the flight training. Bob hoover, a world war ii fighter pilot who became an aviation legend for his skills as a test pilot and for his appearances in air shows, has died at age 94, according to multiple news s. Barnstormer, world war ii fighter, pioneering test pilot, aerobatic genius bob hoover is a true american hero. Learning of hoover s death, aopas baker reflected on the award. Bob hoover, one of historys greatest pilots, dead at 94.
Scott during world war ii as he was working his way toward becoming. Robert anderson bob hoover january 24, 1922 october 25, 2016 was an air show pilot, united states air force test pilot, and usaf fighter pilot. Jan 28, 2014 the main event will happen on february 21st, when the aviation world will gather together to pay tribute to bob hoover. Hoover s time as a test pilot pave the way for many new planes but it would also cause him to have few scrapes with death. The passengers were known as hoover s heavers more often than not they were sick during the flight on this occasion the heavers got more of a thrill than they paid for. Included are loops, rolls and landings with one and both engines shut down.
Bob hoover, who stole nazi plane to escape wwii prison. Usafa class of 2020 chooses bob hoover as exemplar god. Bob was a true gentleman who enjoyed his celebrity but never hid behind it. And i did him an eightpoint hesitation roll, hoover told aopa pilot during an interview in 1989. In the early 1950s as the united states was entering the jet age hoover would set out to fly the f100 super. Robert anderson bob hoover january 24, 1922 october 25, 2016 was a fighter pilot in the united states army air forces during world war ii, who worked as a united states air force and civilian test pilot after the war, then as a flight instructor and an aviation recordsetting air show display pilot for nearly 50 years until his retirement in 1999. Hoover wrote, hell, i would fly an old dodge truck if. Price new from used from paperback, january 1, 1978 please retry.
New york bob hoover, a pilot who escaped nazi captivity in a stolen plane, tested supersonic jets with his friend chuck yeager, barnstormed the world as a breathtaking stunt performer, and. Bob hoover attends the 12th annual living legends of aviation awards in beverly hills, calif. In the cockpit with bob hoover passion for flight volume 2. Bob hoover became infatuated with aviation when charles lindbergh made his historic transatlantic flight in 1927. How bob hoover stole a german plane to escape a pow camp. Bob hoover served in both world war ii and the korean war.
Bob hoover in his reno air race p51 ole yeller signed by bob hoover r. Bob hoover is one of americas heroes and one of the greatest pilots to ever have lived. What an incredible man, incredible story, and incredible filmmaking. Now, in forever flying, he tells his amazing story, sharing all the thrills and chills, spectacular stunts and deathdefying exploits that have made him a living aviation legend. In his 94 years, hoover met orville wright, eddie rickenbacker, charles lindbergh, jimmy doolittle, chuck yeager, jacqueline cochran, and. This event will take place at the historic paramount studios in hollywood, calif. I really enjoyed the content of this book, there were many parts that were amazing, like crash landing in the rockies and a myriad of other close calls. Bob hoover, a pilot who escaped nazi captivity in a stolen plane, tested supersonic aircraft with his friend chuck yeager, barnstormed the world as a breathtaking stunt performer and became, by. When america was pulled into wwii bob took to the skies to serve his country and brought back some stories to tell. 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. He is a former pow who has experienced the dank prison cells of nazi germany. In aviation circles, he is often referred to as the pilots. The first time i saw bob hoover fly i was a new show pilot standing next to the great curtis pitts and hoping for words of wisdom.
In aviation circles, he is often referred to as the pilots pilot. Bob hoover, a pilot who escaped nazi captivity in a stolen plane, tested supersonic aircraft with his friend chuck yeager, barnstormed the. Bob hoover, pilot who escaped pow camp by stealing a german. You can read more about bob hoover s legacy in the new york times obituary by craig. Bob hoover, a world war ii fighter pilot who became an aviation legend for his skills as a test pilot and for his appearances in air shows, has died at age 94, according to multiple. Bob hoover more than two years to get into his first dogfight, and about five minutes to get shot down. Feightner helped usher in the jet era in the navy, developing modern fighter tactics and implementing training and operational. Bob hoover born january 24, 1922 is a former air show pilot and united states air force test pilot, known for his widebrimmed straw hat and wide smile. Forever flying book by bob hoover official publisher page. Forever flying fifty years of highflying adventures, from barnstorming in prop planes to dogfighting germans to testing supersonic jets, an autobiography by hoover, bob and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Bob hoover with a t28 trainer w autograph of pilot bob hoover. Famous aviators autographs add priceless value to these unique items. Read yeagers book and youd think as he does that he was the greatest of all time.
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