R.I.P. Bob Hoover

and other stuff up in the air
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Wolfman
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R.I.P. Bob Hoover

Post by Wolfman » Fri Oct 28, 2016 6:47 am

Any one who attended a major airshow in the 70s & 80s could have seen Bob doing aerobatics in an assortment of war birds. He was exciting to listen to when on stage. The gentleman had a long aviation history and he loved to talk about it.
One of his performances I loved the most was his " Energy Management " show. He would go altitude in his Aero Commander, shut down both engines and on the way down go though a series of loops, rolls, things an Aero Commander did not normally do. Only to make a perfect landing and roll out to show center and stop. With out ever restarting the engines.
Bob passed away Tuesday Oct. 25, 2016 at the age of 94.
Rest in Peace Robert.
Mike Wolford
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Re: R.I.P. Bob Hoover

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Oct 28, 2016 8:02 am

One of my life long aviation heroes.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Re: R.I.P. Bob Hoover

Post by gearhead » Fri Oct 28, 2016 3:32 pm

I have met BOB, years ago at an airshow here in Pa.
We had his Aero Commander and P51 in the hangar.
Was a very approachable man and welcomed any conversation about aviation.
R.I.P.

Ed S :)
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Re: R.I.P. Bob Hoover

Post by Scoutpilot » Sat Oct 29, 2016 2:19 am

R.I.P.
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Re: R.I.P. Bob Hoover

Post by clintm20 » Sat Oct 29, 2016 5:09 am

One of his performances I loved the most was his " Energy Management " show. He would go altitude in his Aero Commander, shut down both engines and on the way down go though a series of loops, rolls, things an Aero Commander did not normally do. Only to make a perfect landing and roll out to show center and stop. With out ever restarting the engines.
Still the most impressive performance I ever witnessed at an airshow. I can't think of something that even comes close to that routine.
Green Trucks and High Tides Forever

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Re: R.I.P. Bob Hoover

Post by Wolfman » Sun Oct 30, 2016 5:56 am

Beside being a show pilot and a test pilot, Bob was a WWII fighter pilot.
I like to listen to him tell the story about being shot down over Italy. Was captured by the Germans and put in a German prisoner of war camp from which he escaped. Made his way to a German airfield, where he stole a German plane and flew it to the Netherlands to freedom.
8)
Mike Wolford
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Re: R.I.P. Bob Hoover

Post by clintm20 » Tue Nov 01, 2016 5:57 am

Anyone know why he choose the Shrike for his energy management routine?
Green Trucks and High Tides Forever

Diamond T M3 Half-track Serial # M32971 USA 4045956
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Re: R.I.P. Bob Hoover

Post by Wolfman » Wed Nov 02, 2016 5:01 am

I don't remember hearing an exact reason but I suspect it was Bob's way of proving a point.
Not normal to see a Shrike Commander doing loops and rolls, especially with the engines shut down.
Rule #1 in flying is " Fly The Airplane ".
Bob took his Shrike instead of an Extra 300 or a Pitts. Put it in a compromising position and proved a level head and piloting skill would safely fly it back to earth and land. With a lot of flare ( no joke intended ) on the way down. 8)
Mike Wolford
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Re: R.I.P. Bob Hoover

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Nov 02, 2016 6:21 am

Not all pilots have the pilots touch and airframe savvy that Bob has. Another pilot tried the same Aero Commander stunt at an air show that Bob hoover did and it shed its wings right in front of his family.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Re: R.I.P. Bob Hoover

Post by clintm20 » Wed Nov 02, 2016 10:24 am

Plus the Aero Commander is well known for spar problems at least 24 have shed their wings in flight.
Green Trucks and High Tides Forever

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Re: R.I.P. Bob Hoover

Post by Wolfman » Wed Nov 02, 2016 12:25 pm

I had forgotten about the spar problem. That was sad.
As mentioned earlier, I think Bob flew a Shrike.
Was the spar stronger on a Shrike ??
Mike Wolford
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AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

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Re: R.I.P. Bob Hoover

Post by clintm20 » Wed Nov 02, 2016 1:20 pm

Not as far as I know. The Shrike is just a mid production Aero Commander with some slight modifications but not spar related.
Green Trucks and High Tides Forever

Diamond T M3 Half-track Serial # M32971 USA 4045956
Autocar M3A1 Half-track Serial # M3A1-47825 USA 4053835
Autocar M16A1 Half-track Serial # M15A1-1945 USA 40150662


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