There's no point is repeating everything you already know about him. How about somethings you don't? Every other website is going to just repeat stuff you already know
So, did you know he flew under Charleston’s South Side Bridge in a Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star in 1948?
Not many pilots could or would do fun stuff like that.
After graduating from Hamlin High School in 1941, Yeager enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army Air Forces and became an aircraft mechanic. His unusually keen vision and the United States’ entry into World War II provided his entry to flight training.
While stationed in England, Yeager flew P-51 mustangs but was shot down over France on his eighth mission. He escaped and returned to the air. On Oct. 12, 1944, Yeager downed five enemy aircraft in a single mission and finished the war credited with shooting down at least 12 German planes.
https://wvmetronews.com/2020/12/07/chuck-yeager-famed-pilot-and-legendary-west-virginian-has-died/
The Right Stuff all the way. Did you know his last name is German, and means hunter? You probably did. Rest in peace General, and thanks for the memories.
ReplyDeleteI heard he was a bit of a dick. If he did it, it was the most important and most difficult task to accomplish. If someone else did it, not so much. Also wasn't the first to break the sound barrier. Someone had to take the ship up and check it out the day before and was warned to take it up to the line but not go past it. Yeager was so disliked the guy took it over the line the day before. Boom!
ReplyDeletetest pilot ego. Not a surprise.
DeleteThe specifics on the breaking the speed of sound point out that he only broke the speed of sound on level flight. Others had already broke the speed of sound when nose down getting gravity assisting the velocity.
Oh well. I expect he was probably like Tom Cruise's character Maverick in Top Gun.
It was a hilarious how he got extra salty about British.
ReplyDelete