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Author Topic:   Scott Crossfield (1921-2006) (WAS: Crossfield missing)
MICHAEL CLEMENTE
Member

Posts: 72
From: Atco, New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2002

posted April 20, 2006 04:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MICHAEL CLEMENTE   Click Here to Email MICHAEL CLEMENTE     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Another great void in Aviation history. A true hero and legend. He will be greatly missed. God speed Scott.

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Mike Isbell
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Posts: 193
From: Silver Spring, Maryland USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted April 20, 2006 04:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mike Isbell     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I met met Scott Crossfied in April 2002 in Crystal City, Virginia when he was part of a panel at the annual Civil Air Patrol event. The panal discussion was about commercial passengers flying into space - Dennis Tito had made the first such flight the previous year. During a brief chat that I had with Mr. Crossfield after the presentation, he told me that just being able to see the earth as a round planet out the window and to view multiple nations at one time would be more than worth the cost of a ticket to ride into orbit.

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Rick Mulheirn
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Posts: 1014
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted April 20, 2006 04:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Another hero lost. Rest in Peace.

Regards,

Rick.

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767FO
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Posts: 230
From: Boca Raton, FL
Registered: Sep 2002

posted April 20, 2006 04:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 767FO   Click Here to Email 767FO     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I wrote to Crossfield a couple of years back sending him the enclosed photo and asking if he wouldn't mind signing it for me. I told him to inscribe it any way he wished and the result was as follows. Needless to say I was touched by his inscription and greatly saddened today with his passing.

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astroborg
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Posts: 105
From: Woodbridge, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted April 20, 2006 05:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for astroborg   Click Here to Email astroborg     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
.

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HappyProudThrilled
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Posts: 64
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted April 20, 2006 05:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for HappyProudThrilled   Click Here to Email HappyProudThrilled     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Rest in Peace. Thank you for the impact you've made in this world- you shall not be forgotten.

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Rob Sumowski
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Posts: 431
From: Macon, Georgia
Registered: Feb 2000

posted April 20, 2006 05:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rob Sumowski   Click Here to Email Rob Sumowski     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

Thanks, Scotty.

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spacegrl13
Member

Posts: 122
From: Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Registered: Aug 2002

posted April 20, 2006 05:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for spacegrl13   Click Here to Email spacegrl13     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Though I never got to meet Scott, over the years he has been so gracious to me, always more than willing to sign and answer any question. An american hero who will truly be missed and never forgotten. Godspeed Scott!
.
Helen

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FFrench
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Posts: 2209
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002

posted April 20, 2006 07:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for FFrench     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Rick Boos:
I think it would be neat if everybody that knew Scotty or at least met him would share their memories in this thread.
I met him many times, but the first and last times I met this warm, engaging and classy gentleman were particularly memorable. The first time was standing under the wing of a full-size X-15 replica on the runway at Edwards, next to the real bomber that had dropped the X-15, with Joe Engle, Bill Dana and Pete Knight in the vicinity.

The last time was at Mojave, for Mike Melvill's second flight of SpaceShipOne. I was standing right next to him as we watched the whole event from takeoff to landing. To watch a suborbital spaceflight with a guy who had flown the first winged craft capable of making such a flight was very special. He was one of the very few who immediately spotted that something was up with stability during Mike's flight. Melvill landed, walked over and shook hands with him (I posted some photos on a thread here somewhere of that) and it was wonderful to witness.

Those of you who have seen footage of Crossfield flying the Wright Flyer replica just a couple of years ago know he was test piloting risky stuff right up to the end. Today is a real tragedy, but it may be some small consolation that he died doing what he loved, with a long, full life and legacy behind him.

FF

.

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FFrench
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Posts: 2209
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002

posted April 20, 2006 07:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for FFrench     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This is the thread with the photos at Mojave.

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FairfaxSpace
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Posts: 7
From: Fairfax, Virginia
Registered: May 2005

posted April 20, 2006 08:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for FairfaxSpace   Click Here to Email FairfaxSpace     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

I drove by Scott Crossfields home on the way home and took this last tribute shot of a legend so all could see his proudest tribute... the school named for him. Just past the school sign in my picture is the street sign where he lived directly across the street. I am pretty sure he would have approved for all to know the thing he is most proud of! His home is across the street from this modern school on a hill overlooking the school here in Fairfax! Like Buzz, he was so very proud of this tribute!!

Dwayne

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space1
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Posts: 189
From: Danville, Ohio, USA
Registered: Dec 2002

posted April 20, 2006 08:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for space1   Click Here to Email space1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
.

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dss65
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Posts: 562
From: Sandpoint, ID, USA
Registered: Mar 2003

posted April 20, 2006 08:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dss65   Click Here to Email dss65     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
.

------------------
Don

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NasaFrk
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Posts: 46
From: Winter Park,FL
Registered: Feb 2002

posted April 20, 2006 09:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NasaFrk   Click Here to Email NasaFrk     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
.

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FutureAstronaut
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Posts: 368
From: East Northport, NY
Registered: Mar 2006

posted April 20, 2006 09:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for FutureAstronaut   Click Here to Email FutureAstronaut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I never had the privelage in meeting one of my true heros, but I will never forget him. I just wrote him a letter on April 1st, and I hope he got to reading it. My prayers are with his family and friends. His legacy will never be forgotten.

Rest in Peace in the heavens Mr. Crossfield.

------------------
Mike

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mjanovec
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Posts: 1988
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted April 20, 2006 10:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mjanovec   Click Here to Email mjanovec     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Chuck Yeager weighs in his opinions in this article. I'm not sure if Gen. Yeager's comments come at an appropriate time, but it could be the writer of the article trying to stir him up a bit too.

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FFrench
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Posts: 2209
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002

posted April 21, 2006 12:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for FFrench     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Interesting to see that these obits all say he was the first person to fly at Mach 2. None of them seem to note that was also the first to successfully fly at Mach 3 (Mel Apt was the first to fly at that speed, but did not survive the flight).

At SETP the other year, Yeager, Crossfield and Bob White were all in attendance. In one room you had the first people to successfully fly at Machs 1,2,3,4,5 and 6.

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icarkie
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Posts: 485
From: BURTON ON TRENT /England
Registered: Nov 2002

posted April 21, 2006 02:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for icarkie   Click Here to Email icarkie     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
RIP Scott, You will be sadly missed. My biggest regret is that is I never got round to writing to him, thats my fault. My thoughts are with his family...

Ian

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David Stephenson
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Posts: 208
From: England
Registered: Mar 2003

posted April 21, 2006 03:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for David Stephenson   Click Here to Email David Stephenson     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
A great loss, my thoughts are with his family.

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Steve Procter
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Posts: 458
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Oct 2000

posted April 21, 2006 05:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Steve Procter   Click Here to Email Steve Procter     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
A sad loss of a super man who will be remembered as a great pilot and inspiration to many of us who post of these boards

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Paullywoggles
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Posts: 113
From: Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2005

posted April 21, 2006 07:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paullywoggles   Click Here to Email Paullywoggles     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
.

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John K. Rochester
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Posts: 1221
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Registered: Mar 2002

posted April 21, 2006 07:52 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for John K. Rochester   Click Here to Email John K. Rochester     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Another legend has slipped the surly bonds of earth..to touch the face of god.

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spaceuk
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Posts: 2112
From: Staffs,UK
Registered: Aug 2002

posted April 21, 2006 08:25 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for spaceuk     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sad news indeeed.

I monitored the news stories yetserday hoping for a better ending but not this tragic and ironic end to a trail blazer.

X-15 marks the spot

Phill
spaceuk

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Rick Boos
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Posts: 656
From: Celina,Ohio U.S.A.
Registered: Feb 2000

posted April 21, 2006 08:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Boos   Click Here to Email Rick Boos     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Chuck Yeager is way out of line! It is bad timing on his part to in anyway suggest at this time that pilot error led to Crossfield's death. To suggest that complacency or that Crossfield exceeded his capability, or that Crossfield was penchant for risk taking shows how insensitive and egotistical Yeager is. Let's wait till the facts are in and the FAA completes their investigation before speculating! Now is not the time! It is a time to grieve the loss of a truly GREAT man! As for Yeager calling Crossfield the most arrogant pilot in his autobiography, Yeager, I would suggest to him to look in the mirror. I have interviewed many Test Pilots and Astronauts in my time and I have to say Chuck Yeager is the most arrogant and self centered individual I have ever had the misfortune to interview. Yeager get a grip, your place is secure in history and your competition has passed away!

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Mike Dixon
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Posts: 417
From: Kew, Victoria, Australia
Registered: May 2003

posted April 21, 2006 09:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mike Dixon   Click Here to Email Mike Dixon     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
.

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cddfspace
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Posts: 321
From: Morris County, NJ, USA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted April 21, 2006 09:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cddfspace   Click Here to Email cddfspace     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I just wrote to Scott and received a reply back in March. He sent 3 signed photos (1 for me and for each of my sons).

A true gentlemen and American hero.

Looks like he died doing what he loved.

Goodspeed Scott Crossfield!

CDDFSPACE

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MarylandSpace
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Posts: 463
From:
Registered: Aug 2002

posted April 21, 2006 09:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for MarylandSpace   Click Here to Email MarylandSpace     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I was fortunate, very fortunate, to have heard Scott speak three times. I remember those times well: College Park Airport, National Air and Space Museum, and at Frederick Community College. I enjoyed his stories about being a test pilot. He was humble. . . and very sharp.

I had my photo taken with him, and had it enlarged, and he graciously signed it. It is one of my favorite photos.

He also put a great inscription in my copy of his book, Always Another Dawn.

For those of you who never have mementos (photos, books, etc) inscribed, I question your decision. For me the memory is enhanced. And maybe someday, my kids, or grandkids, or maybe great grandkids, might say. . . "Wow, Grandpa met . . ., or that's a picture of Grandpa with . . . ."

And even I am in awe, "That's me with Scott Crossfield."

I was very sad yesterday in hearing the news, and am still sad today, but I have fond memories. We lost a great test pilot and a true gentleman.

Garry

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tegwilym
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Posts: 1708
From: Renton, WA USA
Registered: Jan 2000

posted April 21, 2006 11:24 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for tegwilym   Click Here to Email tegwilym     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I never met Scott, but I always enjoyed his interviews on the documentaries. He seemed to have a good sense of humor. As for Yeager's comments (I haven't read them yet) just don't forget that it takes 6 months to a year before the official NTSB reports are completed for most airplane accidents. So thunderstorms could be the cause, or maybe he just had a medical problem, who knows? Whatever the cause, 84 years old and still flying is pretty darn good if you ask me! I'm sure he went the way he would have wanted to.

Anyway, here is my small collection of Crossfield items.

Tom

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ejectr
Member

Posts: 888
From: Brimfield, MA
Registered: Mar 2002

posted April 21, 2006 11:26 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ejectr   Click Here to Email ejectr     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I also was annoyed at the demeaning that Chuck Yeager gave at this sad time, but that's Chuck Yeager.

Always trying to belittle someone who may be just a tad better at some things.

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ilbasso
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Posts: 146
From: Reston, Virginia USA
Registered: Feb 2006

posted April 21, 2006 12:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ilbasso   Click Here to Email ilbasso     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just read Yeager's quotes on the CNN website. Despicable, if you ask me.

What bums me out is now realizing that I live about 4 miles away from where Scott lived, and I didn't even know it.

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eurospace
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Posts: 1732
From: Berlin, Germany
Registered: Dec 2000

posted April 21, 2006 12:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for eurospace   Click Here to Email eurospace     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It is rare that the hobby sends done a shiver to my spine, but this is one of the days. This evening I picked up a large envelope from my mailbox.

Inside: two photographs previously signed by Bob White and now completed by Scott Crossfield. Postmarked somewhere in the US on 30 March 2006.

Crossfield has always been more than nice with autograph collectors, always sending some good wishes with the items he signed for us.

May he rest in peace, and enjoy many more flights in Heavenly vessels up there.

------------------
Jürgen P Esders
Berlin, Germany
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Astroaddies

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East-Frisian
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Posts: 151
From: Germany
Registered: Apr 2005

posted April 21, 2006 12:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for East-Frisian     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I guess that Scott Crossfield und Chuck Yeager never have been friends. Both seem to be "strong" people, but maybee I'm wrong.

The East-Frisian

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Jim
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Posts: 65
From: Dallas TX
Registered: Mar 2006

posted April 21, 2006 12:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jim   Click Here to Email Jim     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by mjanovec:
Here's an idea for those of us that were lucky enough to get a photo signed by Crossfield.
A most EXCELLENT idea -- and I've already done it here.

Jim

------------------
"If you can't be good--be colorful!" Pete Conrad

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TrueNorth
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From: Bathurst, NB, Canada
Registered: Jun 2003

posted April 21, 2006 01:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for TrueNorth   Click Here to Email TrueNorth     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
.

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Rick Boos
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From: Celina,Ohio U.S.A.
Registered: Feb 2000

posted April 21, 2006 01:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Boos   Click Here to Email Rick Boos     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yeager has showed us his true colors and how insensitive he truly is with his comments and bad timing about a man who is not in a position to defend himself, and before all the facts are in. Sounds like the "Grissom scenario" all over again. Let's not let him ruin this great thread!I for one am really enjoying all the great stories and comments posted here, and want to thank all of you!

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MCroft04
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Posts: 560
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted April 21, 2006 02:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MCroft04   Click Here to Email MCroft04     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Regarding Chuck Yeager's comments, please don't forget that sometimes the press takes ones comments out of context.

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machbusterman
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Posts: 1207
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004

posted April 21, 2006 02:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for machbusterman   Click Here to Email machbusterman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I want to share a message I got from Scott Crossfield last year after I wrote to him expressing concern about him missing some Flight Test related events in California.

Dear Mr. Horne:
Your very cordial letter was greatly appreciated. Don't worry about me I am almost back to wet rawhide stage. I did have a bout with mother Nature and won the decision but got beat up pretty badly. I am almost good as new now
General Ascani is truly a gentleman and a fine officer. We have known each other for many years. I learned a lot from him.
Take care and Cheers.

Scott Crossfield

Godspeed Scotty. As another test pilot said to me "Our test pilot community has lost a great one!".

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albatron@aol.com
Member

Posts: 1459
From: Stuart, Florida, USA
Registered: Jun 2000

posted April 21, 2006 06:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for albatron@aol.com   Click Here to Email albatron@aol.com     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've known Scott for more than a few years. We'd trade emails on occasion, Id see him in town or wherever he was, etc etc etc and every contact with him was notable and memorable. He was at a local airshow here not too long ago, and something just made me take pictures of my grandkids with him which he gladly signed. Wow.

But most notable I think, was last April when I took Bob White to the Sun n Fun Fly In in Lakeland, Florida. I had just "re"nominated Bob for the National Aviation HOF (without hashing previous threads lets just say it must've been a HUGE oversight that he's not in), and I had mentioned to Bob that Scotty went to SnF annually. He got excited and asked about going so (a no brainer) I offered to take him.

We did and thanks to Bill O'Donnell's scavening we got a gold cart. The chase and hunt was on to find Scotty! We did, and you should have seen Scotty light up seeing Bob - they hadn't seen each other in a while.

Those two codgers just sat and had a grand old chat. It was something to be in this presence and just watch - and feel the aura. Imagine! Crossfield and White! Together! Oh MAN the history!!

Then Bob waves me over (Bill, Don Brady and I respectfully stood a short distance away) and asks me to share with Scotty what the renomination package for the NAHF was I submitted. Scotty looked at me and said "Al, I just always assumed he was in, it's a great error on MY part how can I help"?

And in all fairness, when Bob retired from the USAFE he stayed in Germany for quite a few years and lets just say, fell below the radar.

But Scotty took it as a personal project to assist, and asked me to mail him a hard copy. He would email and called a few times, discussing it, and of course the rest is history.

But watching them shake hands as Scotty had to go to an appearance, I saw genuine warmth between the two, and much mutual respect. All sincere.

As for Bob and the NAHF, the rest is history - he got in this year.

During one phone call, Scotty told me how ashamed he was that Bob was overlooked. It really hit him! Can you imagine abother test pilot of that era, doing the same? Hardly.

As I mentioned elsewhere, the world has lost an icon, and I have lost yet another hero and friend.

Al

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Chuck_Joe
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Posts: 34
From: Belgium
Registered: Dec 2002

posted April 22, 2006 06:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Chuck_Joe   Click Here to Email Chuck_Joe     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Scott Crossfield was a nice gentleman and a heroe for his country and for the world.
His achievements in aviation were very succesful. As a testpilot of the X-15 he open the way to space!

we will miss him

Bart
Belgium

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rchappel
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Posts: 75
From: Texas
Registered: Mar 2006

posted April 22, 2006 08:53 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for rchappel   Click Here to Email rchappel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
On Chuck Yeager's website www.chuckyeager.com there's now a nice compliment to Crossfield and a picture taken of him by his plance 2 days before the crash.

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