Scott Crossfield, the legendary test pilot, died in a plane crash here in Georgia yesterday. He was 84 years old. We had some rough weather passing through last night that may have contributed to his crash.

He was the first man be break Mach-2 in 1953 and did nearly Mach-3 in the X-15 later. When I think of pioneers of aviation I always include Crossfield and of course Chuck Yeager.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Bill Wood - Retired Webmaster
My Personal Website
1998 Mercedes E430
2010 Toyota Sequoia
My Photo Albums

It's a shame that the American people no longer honor individuals such as Scott Crossfield, a true American hero. Our national news media would rather put a Hollywood or sports figure on a pedestal for all to admire.

__________________
Joe W.


1995 E320 Cabriolet
1967 Corvette Convertible
1993 Corvette Convertible (40th Anniversary)
2000 Harley-Davidson Sportster
1994 Honda Accord

Reminds me of the movie "Second Hand Lions"...the 2 old guys die at the end barnstorming in a biplane...they went out doing what they loved.

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

It's on TV here, NASA TV.

__________________
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

How true, he deserves more media attention then some stupid actor.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I was just going to post this... here's some info in case folks don't know:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/Biographies/Pilots/bd-dfrc-p021.html

Quite often, I wish I was around to fly back in the 40s and 50s. The far more glamorous days of aviation. Real, seat of the pants flying. Those guys weren’t just pilots, they were true aviators.

I never met Crossfield. I wish I had. He was for sure, a real American hero.
I’ve done some work with Hoover and Yeager though. Mostly up at Oshkosh or at ERAU. Hoover is one of the greatest aviators you’ll ever meet. Super nice guy. Yeager, on the other hand, I can’t stand.

__________________
1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

I guess there was some friction between Yeager & Crossfield. Yeager did not speak highly of Crossfield in his book. Maybe Yeager was jealous that Crossfield had an engineering degree, was a civilian and was paid a nice salary by the aircraft manufacturers. Yeager was an Air Force pilot.

__________________
Bill Wood - Retired Webmaster
My Personal Website
1998 Mercedes E430
2010 Toyota Sequoia
My Photo Albums

In a previous lifetime, I worked with Bob Hoover's son at Rockwell (Hoover got the kid the job, he was on the company's BOD). He took us to lunch a couple of times, very decent guy. He was 60 or so at the time and still stunt flying his P-51 at airshows every weekend - pretty amazing. I think there are plenty of guys today in those positions with the same guts and dedication, but they don't stand out as much in a more bureaucratic environment.

__________________
81 300SD
08 MDX Tech
93 525i

05 F650GS

Yeager for the most part has a problem with anyone who has done anything that he has. Especially if they’ve done it more or better than he has. He has little time for anyone not openly announcing that they are below him. He thinks the world is still revolving because he broke the speed of sound. And, he’s very quick to let you know it too.

A typical conversation with Chuck Yeager:
Hello General Yeager, this year we brought our new Bell 407 to Oshkosh.
That’s great! Ya know, after I broke the speed of sound, they’ve been able to develop more efficient rotor systems for helicopters. (Ok I’ll try to relate enough to buy that one.)
Yes, they have. When I get done with my exhibitions today, I think I’ll hang out and cook some burgers on the grill.
Sounds good. Ya know, after I broke the speed of sound, they’ve been able to develop more efficient grills for grilling burgers. (Sure I see the relation….)
Yep. And after we eat, we’re going into town for some insecticide to kill all the ants around our camp site here.
Good Idea. Ya know, after I broke the speed of sound, they’ve been able to develop more efficient insecticides for killing ants. (Yep - Most insecticides these days do incorporate a sonic boom to kill bugs.)
Then after that I think we’ll call it a day and get to bed early for a change.
Good thinking. Ya know, after I broke the speed of sound, they’ve been able to develop better ways to get a good night’s sleep….(Yep - once my head stops spinning at mach 1.8…)

It’s enough to drive you nuts.

__________________
1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

Going out at 84 years old in a plane crash sure beats fading out at 94 in a nursing home.

Roger that.
I'm hoping for a plane crash at 94 though.

__________________
1980 300D - Veggie Burner !