I met a man at limerick airport in the 1970s. I was 13 years old and learned to fly the 152 Cessna's. I had spent so much time there that the mechanics and others took me along on flights and had taught me to fly. I was very determined about the whole thing. Took notes and all. I also did my best to go along with anyone else I could squirm my way into the cockpit with. They got a kick out of how well I handled the plane and how competent I was. The man had been there off and on all week with his twin aircraft. He talked to me a lot, left me pick his mind about airplanes and explained techniques that were advanced beyond my abilities. But I ate it up nonetheless. Then one day he offered for me to spend the whole day with him. We wouldn't be back until late into the night. We would fly to Philly to pick up some executive and then to Reading Airport for the whole day. He told me he was going to show me what an airplane could really do and teach me some aerobatics. I was so excited but at the time my parents told me I couldn't go. This is long before the internet. I found out only a few years later how important my new friend had been and that he was a legend. I thought he was pulling my leg that he did aerobatics in his twin because everyone knows that's just not something you do...Right?. I came to learn after the fact that he had been performing at the Reading airshow and that I had been offered an exclusive hands on tutorial in flying by one of the most famous pilots that ever lived. Non other than Bob Hoover. One of the mechanics said " Hey, do you know who that guy really is?" I naively said " yes, that's my friend Bob" They laughed, I didn't understand what was so funny. I was oblivious that I was in the presence of one of the Gods of the Air and didn't even know it. I don't blame my parents because even though I couldn't go I will never forget this man of such importance who had taken time to inspire and invest in the dreams of a little pesky kid. Thank you Bob Hoover.
This is the first I've heard of Mr. Hoover's passing. God speed Bob. I was fortunate enough to see Bob perform on 4 separate occasions here in Minnesota during the mid to late 80s.
In the late 1960’s I happened upon an air show at a Central Florida airport alongside the highway. Low and behold there was a bright yellow P51 just wringing it out! My first exposure to air shows, Bob Hoover showing how great both he and the mustang were. Saw him several times through the years and had the privilege of meeting him and talking flying. A pilot’s pilot and one of a kind!
Geez.... I just found out about your passing looking at these videos on the tube..... not much TV press overseas on such and Iconic passing in Aviation history.... very SAD Rest in Peace Bob... and say hello to my DAD too if you cross paths up there !
So sad, my world just got a little emptier as Bob was such a big part of my enjoyment of aviation from childhood to adulthood and now into my 60's. I never met the man personally, but some of his flights are etched into my memory. Let me share one. Bob was at Abbotsford International Airshow in BC, Canada. It was a cloudy day as it always seemed to be on Airshow weekend. On the pretext of seeing what the cloud ceiling was, Bob launched, literally, off in Miss America. He ran that P-51 down the whole length of that runway and at the last second yanked it into the vertical and climbed straight up and into the clouds! This piston engined fighter acted more like a jet with unlimited vertical, it just kept going straight up until he reached the clouds. It was once said that an airplane was afraid not to do what Bob told it to, that's what it looked like that day. That's how I'd like to think that Bob reached Heaven. Put that P-51 straight up 'til he saw St Peter. So long Bob and thanks !! Dan Gross
I have an 8mm film of Bob Hoover flying his yellow P51 while at the Reading PA. airshow 1972. What a pilot!! He would FLY his plane , not let the plane fly him !!!
My dad almost met him. He got the chance to fly Bob Hoover but he rejected since he had a lot of work, and didn’t know who Bob was and regrets not flying for him lol. My dads friend knew him very well personally
Bob wasn't only a legend, he was the best there ever was. This video is lacking so much lick how he escaped that prison camp and stole a FW190 that he flew to freedom. He also touched the lives of so many taking the time to speak to them. Anyone that gets on an airliner can thank Bob as he made jets safe through testing. Bob was awarded the following military medals: the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Soldier's Medal for non-combat valor, the Air Medal with several oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart and the French Croix de Guerre. He was also made an honorary member of the United States Navy aerobatic team the Blue Angels, the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the American Fighter Aces Association and the original Eagle Squadron, and received an Award of Merit from the American Fighter Pilots Association. He was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1988 and to the Aerospace Walk of Honor in 1992.
Didn't he use to perform at the Reno Air Races and act as a chase plane for the other plane's that developed engine problems during the races? I think I remember seeing him there back in the early 1990's the one time I did the Reno air races.
Rest in peace Bob. I remember you stepping out of the twin Beach wearing that straw hat and thinking to myself: "You can't do stunts like that in a civilian airplane like that!"
That is what they are paid to do unfortunately.... and the lack of sense and common respect for the past comes from a generational culture change unfortunately. My Dad absolutely hated the Oz equivalent CASA and their vindictive attitude towards GA professional pilots in his final years of corporate flying here....and I grew up watching it.
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.
Greatest of WW2 ? ... No way, Good Yes, but not the greatest, that belongs to the Spitfire and it 24 marks and fantastic long life in service and number of kills
"There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots. There are NO old, bold pilots." Bob Hoover was the exception...
I met a man at limerick airport in the 1970s. I was 13 years old and learned to fly the 152 Cessna's. I had spent so much time there that the mechanics and others took me along on flights and had taught me to fly. I was very determined about the whole thing. Took notes and all. I also did my best to go along with anyone else I could squirm my way into the cockpit with. They got a kick out of how well I handled the plane and how competent I was. The man had been there off and on all week with his twin aircraft. He talked to me a lot, left me pick his mind about airplanes and explained techniques that were advanced beyond my abilities. But I ate it up nonetheless. Then one day he offered for me to spend the whole day with him. We wouldn't be back until late into the night. We would fly to Philly to pick up some executive and then to Reading Airport for the whole day. He told me he was going to show me what an airplane could really do and teach me some aerobatics. I was so excited but at the time my parents told me I couldn't go. This is long before the internet. I found out only a few years later how important my new friend had been and that he was a legend. I thought he was pulling my leg that he did aerobatics in his twin because everyone knows that's just not something you do...Right?. I came to learn after the fact that he had been performing at the Reading airshow and that I had been offered an exclusive hands on tutorial in flying by one of the most famous pilots that ever lived. Non other than Bob Hoover. One of the mechanics said " Hey, do you know who that guy really is?" I naively said " yes, that's my friend Bob" They laughed, I didn't understand what was so funny. I was oblivious that I was in the presence of one of the Gods of the Air and didn't even know it. I don't blame my parents because even though I couldn't go I will never forget this man of such importance who had taken time to inspire and invest in the dreams of a little pesky kid. Thank you Bob Hoover.
Absolutely beautiful.
How wonderful. I
was on the ground at Reading in early 1970's watching Bob perform. He was amazing
❤
This is the first I've heard of Mr. Hoover's passing. God speed Bob. I was fortunate enough to see Bob perform on 4 separate occasions here in Minnesota during the mid to late 80s.
Always a gentlemen, professional and crowd favorite. Reno is not the same without him.
So many great Oshkosh memories that include Bob. He will be missed. Godspeed
In the late 1960’s I happened upon an air show at a Central Florida airport alongside the highway. Low and behold there was a bright yellow P51 just wringing it out! My first exposure to air shows, Bob Hoover showing how great both he and the mustang were. Saw him several times through the years and had the privilege of meeting him and talking flying. A pilot’s pilot and one of a kind!
He was the very best that ever flew. Bar none..
Mister Bob !!! Thanks for everithing !!!
Once again we loose from the greatest generation, Bob left a footprint that will never be filled! An amazing story of a pilot’s pilot!
Flying in the clouds forever.
Geez.... I just found out about your passing looking at these videos on
the tube..... not much TV press overseas on such and Iconic passing in
Aviation history.... very SAD
Rest in Peace Bob... and say hello to my DAD too if you cross paths up
there !
RIP Mr. Bob Hoover.
So sad, my world just got a little emptier as Bob was such a big part of my enjoyment of aviation from childhood to adulthood and now into my 60's. I never met the man personally, but some of his flights are etched into my memory. Let me share one. Bob was at Abbotsford International Airshow in BC, Canada. It was a cloudy day as it always seemed to be on Airshow weekend. On the pretext of seeing what the cloud ceiling was, Bob launched, literally, off in Miss America. He ran that P-51 down the whole length of that runway and at the last second yanked it into the vertical and climbed straight up and into the clouds! This piston engined fighter acted more like a jet with unlimited vertical, it just kept going straight up until he reached the clouds. It was once said that an airplane was afraid not to do what Bob told it to, that's what it looked like that day.
That's how I'd like to think that Bob reached Heaven. Put that P-51 straight up 'til he saw St Peter.
So long Bob and thanks !!
Dan Gross
I have an 8mm film of Bob Hoover flying his yellow P51 while at the Reading PA. airshow 1972. What a pilot!! He would FLY his plane , not let the plane fly him !!!
My dad almost met him. He got the chance to fly Bob Hoover but he rejected since he had a lot of work, and didn’t know who Bob was and regrets not flying for him lol. My dads friend knew him very well personally
I miss BOB. He was the greatest. My other favorite pilot is Roscoe Turner.
Indeed, the best of the best!
May your sky’s always remain CAVU Sir.
Best ever
Greatest pilot ever!
How?
RIP BoB!
Bob wasn't only a legend, he was the best there ever was. This video is lacking so much lick how he escaped that prison camp and stole a FW190 that he flew to freedom. He also touched the lives of so many taking the time to speak to them. Anyone that gets on an airliner can thank Bob as he made jets safe through testing. Bob was awarded the following military medals: the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Soldier's Medal for non-combat valor, the Air Medal with several oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart and the French Croix de Guerre. He was also made an honorary member of the United States Navy aerobatic team the Blue Angels, the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the American Fighter Aces Association and the original Eagle Squadron, and received an Award of Merit from the American Fighter Pilots Association. He was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1988 and to the Aerospace Walk of Honor in 1992.
Unbelievable that you didn't mention that he escaped a German POW camp by stealing a FW-190. Huge part of his legend.
Freakin Legend
He had a perfect labyrinth membranous. It enabled him to have a G force acuity he could feel unlike others. Similar to birds
Didn't he use to perform at the Reno Air Races and act as a chase plane for the other plane's that developed engine problems during the races? I think I remember seeing him there back in the early 1990's the one time I did the Reno air races.
Where did the documentary go with Yeager and Hoover which is the source of these clips? It seems to have disappeared? Anyone know?
Rest in peace Bob. I remember you stepping out of the twin Beach wearing that straw hat and thinking to myself: "You can't do stunts like that in a civilian airplane like that!"
Anyone know where the interview with Yeager and Hoover went? I can't find it anywhere!
They didn't mention when he escaped from the PIW camp. He Stole a enemy plane and flew out of there.
why did the FAA treat him with such disrespect?
That is what they are paid to do unfortunately.... and the lack of sense and common respect for the past comes from a generational culture change unfortunately. My Dad absolutely hated the Oz equivalent CASA and their vindictive attitude towards GA professional pilots in his final years of corporate flying here....and I grew up watching it.
Человек, за которого вышла замуж вселенная!
Who was the best fighter pilot you have ever known? Bob Hoover!
How?
................"a pilot's pilot." With out a doubt.
Self taught aerobatics.
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.
Hannah Reitsch smokes Bob Hoover in so many ways...
DEFPOTEC
RIP
0:49 tell that to the Spitfire! No offence to Bob of course.
Fat electrician needs to do a video on
Bob Hoover
Greatest of WW2 ? ... No way, Good Yes, but not the greatest, that belongs to the Spitfire and it 24 marks and fantastic long life in service and number of kills
Was that was all you took away from this video?