Anyone who knows anything about aviation knows who Bob Hoover was. One of the greatest pilots who ever lived, Hoover was born on January 24, 1922 and died on October 25, 2016.
Watch the Bob Hoover Memorial Flyover on 18 November 2016
Participating in the flyover;
Two F-16s from the USAF Thunderbirds in formation with one Tutor from the Canadian Air Force Snowbirds and a T-39 Sabreliner
F-22 bracketed by two F-86 Sabres
Missing-man formation with Bob Hoover’s own Old Yeller P-51 Mustang peeling away from the formation
It might be hard to say what Bob was most famous for. He was an accomplished air show pilot, a US Air Force test pilot and also a combat fighter pilot who got shot down in World War II and spent 16 months as a POW. To make his story of being a German POW even more intriguing he actually escaped the prison camp, stole a German airplane and flew to safety in a friendly country.
Bob later called his escape stealing a German airplane stupid. He said that while flying a German marked aircraft into allied territory he thought to himself, “You are the dumbest aviator that ever flew. What the hell are you accomplishing?” Aviation legend was born early with Bob Hoover.
Hoover was there on Chuck Yeager’s wing as his chase and backup pilot when Yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947.
He later gained fame as an airshow pilot flying a North American P-51 Mustang named “Ole Yeller” and an Aero Commander. In the Aero Commander he would amaze the crowd performing a loop and a barrel roll after he turned off both engines. After completing the two maneuvers he would then land and taxi up to the ramp, parking perfectly in the marked space. All with no engine power!
Anyone who knows anything about aviation knows who Bob Hoover was. One of the greatest pilots who ever lived, Hoover was born on January 24, 1922 and died on October 25, 2016.
Watch the Bob Hoover Memorial Flyover on 18 November 2016
Participating in the flyover;
Two F-16s from the USAF Thunderbirds in formation with one Tutor from the Canadian Air Force Snowbirds and a T-39 Sabreliner
F-22 bracketed by two F-86 Sabres
Missing-man formation with Bob Hoover’s own Old Yeller P-51 Mustang peeling away from the formation
It might be hard to say what Bob was most famous for. He was an accomplished air show pilot, a US Air Force test pilot and also a combat fighter pilot who got shot down in World War II and spent 16 months as a POW. To make his story of being a German POW even more intriguing he actually escaped the prison camp, stole a German airplane and flew to safety in a friendly country.
Bob later called his escape stealing a German airplane stupid. He said that while flying a German marked aircraft into allied territory he thought to himself, “You are the dumbest aviator that ever flew. What the hell are you accomplishing?” Aviation legend was born early with Bob Hoover.
Hoover was there on Chuck Yeager’s wing as his chase and backup pilot when Yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947.
He later gained fame as an airshow pilot flying a North American P-51 Mustang named “Ole Yeller” and an Aero Commander. In the Aero Commander he would amaze the crowd performing a loop and a barrel roll after he turned off both engines. After completing the two maneuvers he would then land and taxi up to the ramp, parking perfectly in the marked space. All with no engine power!
Watch Bob Demonstrate His Amazing Piloting Skills
Bob was 94 when he died and will be missed by all.
Featured Image By D Ramey Logan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
One team, one fight,
Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
COMMENTS
There are on this article.
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.