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Author
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Topic: Scott Crossfield, Joe Edwards, Jim Voss event
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Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 03-25-2004 08:37 AM
   
I attended the Civil Air Patrol's "Hangar Talk" last night in Atlanta. The event was in the ballroom of the Marriott Marquis and about 250 aviation enthusiasts attended. Scott Crossfield, Joe Edwards, James Voss, and Gus McLeod spoke to the audience in panel-like fashion. Each man related personal stories and comments with an emphasis toward using aviation and the space program as tools to promote education. Gus McLeod described his experiences flying a 1939 P-17 Stearman bi-plane around the world from pole to pole. Edwards and Voss talked about their space flights and training in Russia. Edwards went in great detail describing his 650th and last F-14 landing on a carrier. What an incredible story! Scott Crossfield talked about exploding X-15's and the differences in NACA and NASA. He also spent several minutes discussing the Wright Experience and the causes of the December 17th re-enactment failure. The guys talked about 2 hours then answered questions from the audience. Afterwards all the men stayed in the ballroom autographing books, models, covers, pamphlets, cards, photographs, (and that was just what I brought). The guests seemed to enjoy the event and the audience certainly did. It was a laid-back informal event but well organized and executed. Two original Tuskegee Airmen were in the audience and they also signed several items after the event. I did not see any list members although several had indicated they would be there. It was a memorable event and I am glad I attended. |
Bob M
Member Posts: 1744
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 03-25-2004 10:13 AM
Excellent report, Gilbert. I was there, too, and was going to later give a report but I'll now just add a few things. Sorry we missed getting together, but we've never met and I was looking for Jimmy Brown & knew you & Rob Sumowski were to be with him. Evidently, Jimmy didn't make it. It was a great & very informal event and meeting, talking to & getting autographs from those great men after the program was no problem. I went mainly because of Scott Crossfield, who, along with Chuck Yeager, are probably the 2 most legendary living test pilots (they were the 1st to fly Mach-1 & Mach-2). Hearing Scott's own account of the famous explosion of the X-15's new LR-99 engine during a ground engine run, while he was in the cockpit, was worth going by itself. Joe Edwards' account of his near fatal accident while returning from a mission during the 1991 Gulf War was fascinating. He made 650 Aircraft Carrier landings & #650 was his most memorable one! Jim Voss gave very interesting accounts of his long stay on the ISS and aviator Gus McLeod (no relation) was very entertaining & everyone got a big laugh from his account of surviving an aerial crisis, but nearly crashing into an unmoving horse & rider when landing his disabled aircraft. These are extraordinary men, although very modest, and the night was an extraordinary & enjoyable experience for those of us lucky enough to attend. Bob McLeod |
James Brown
Member Posts: 1287
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 03-25-2004 10:21 AM
Bob,I was unable to make it. Glad you guys had a good time. I will be in Birmingham next week with Gilbert, Joel, and Rob for sure. Hope to meet others then too. James |
albatron@aol.com
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posted 03-25-2004 11:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Bob M:
I went mainly because of Scott Crossfield, who, along with Chuck Yeager, are probably the 2 most legendary living test pilots (they were the 1st to fly Mach-1 & Mach-2). Bob McLeod
Interesting point you made here Bob. Funny - I had lunch today with Al Crews, Bud Evans, (2 test pilots from that era) and a couple of others. We spoke about this very subject (who are considered the most legendary). Believe it or not, the consensus was (and not necessarily by Al or Bud but..... Im just not giving credit..  )that actually Yeager had some great accomplishments, but it was pretty well known at the time (in spite of "The Right Stuff") there was no "wall" to break through. Crossfield was considered better, but the ones they felt had the MOST overall accomplishments were Bob White (X-15) and Pete Everest. In this vein, Gen. White and I were talking , and I realized he was NOT in the National Aviation Hall of Fame!! Can you imagine? First man to fly Mach's 4,5 and 6; first to fly a winged vehicle into space and a few others not to mention a POW in WWII - the list goes on. So I am eligible to submit nominations and am working on his as we speak. Not to take away in the least from Yeager, and of course, Crossfield was arguably the best of his era. But overall Id have to agree with Everest and White. HOWEVER, that being said, what an opportunity for ya'll! I wish I had known about it! Al |
Bob M
Member Posts: 1744
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 03-26-2004 11:42 AM
Hello Al, I guess maybe it would have been better for me to say that Yeager & Crossfield are probably the _best known_ of the living test pilots <G>. You certainly know more about test pilots than I. But we certainly both agree that it is a shame that Gen. White isn't in the NAHoF. I feel a great deal of pride & am very honored to now have met both Chuck Yeager and Scott Crossfield - certainly two legendary American heroes, along with Gen. White & Pete Everest. BTW, this is at least the 2nd straight year that the 83 year old Crossfield has been at the CAP's Natl. Congress for Aviation & Space in Atlanta. Next year if Crossfield appears again, come on up, Al <G>. Bob Mc. |
albatron@aol.com
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posted 03-26-2004 02:37 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Bob M:
[B]
BTW, this is at least the 2nd straight year that the 83 year old Crossfield has been at the CAP's Natl. Congress for Aviation & Space in Atlanta. Next year if Crossfield appears again, come on up, Al <G>.
B]
Certainly Bob this was NO criticism, rather conversation and an opportunity to segue in about White not being in. They had tremendous accomplishments, and Scottie is one of my favorite people on top of his accomplishments. I see him every year at Sun n Fun and many other places, and its always fun. No finer gentleman walks this planet. Yeager of course, has burned many bridges lately with the publicity of his problems in Court with his children which is terribly sad. Thanks for the invite but let me know AHEAD of time next year! LOL |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-26-2004 02:41 PM
quote:
Originally posted by albatron@aol.com:
Thanks for the invite but let me know AHEAD of time next year! LOL
This particular event was listed on the Sightings calendar for at least several weeks before. Always check your Sightings... |
Bob M
Member Posts: 1744
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 03-26-2004 03:55 PM
Robert's right - the CAP's Natl. Congress on Aviation & Space "Hangar Talk" was listed on cS's Sightings" calendar for a good while & many of us e-mailed about it & going to it. Sorry I didn't mention it to you, Al, but it pays to keep an eye on cS's "Sightings." <G>. It would have been a pretty long trip for you, but was only about 20 miles for me. BTW, Al, did the autograph-reluctant Al Crews sign many items for you when you had lunch with him? <G>. His is certainly one of the rarer living test pilot autographs. BMc | |
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