Comments on: Was Eric "Winkle" Brown the best test pilot? http://www.historynet.com/was-eric-winkle-brown-the-best-test-pilot.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=was-eric-winkle-brown-the-best-test-pilot From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:24:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Steve Pace http://www.historynet.com/was-eric-winkle-brown-the-best-test-pilot.htm#comment-787306 Steve Pace Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:06:38 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681011#comment-787306 Was your dad the first to fly the Curtiss XP-46A on 15 February 1941? Was your dad the first to fly the Curtiss XP-46A on 15 February 1941?

]]> By: David Carpenter http://www.historynet.com/was-eric-winkle-brown-the-best-test-pilot.htm#comment-787129 David Carpenter Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:46:17 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681011#comment-787129 Gentlemen I'm sure that there are many test-pilots of several nations who have all achieved great things. However, can anyone seriously challenge 487 types flown, more carrier take-offs and landings then anyone else ever, the first carrier jet-landing, flying all the captured german aircraft post-war including the jets, the rocket-fighter, the mini-light Zaunkoenig, the six-engined ME 321 and six other types in one day. I've yet to read of anyone approaching Eric Brown's long and incredibly varied testing career, admirable though their records may be. Gentlemen
I'm sure that there are many test-pilots of several nations who have all achieved great things. However, can anyone seriously challenge 487 types flown, more carrier take-offs and landings then anyone else ever, the first carrier jet-landing, flying all the captured german aircraft post-war including the jets, the rocket-fighter, the mini-light Zaunkoenig, the six-engined ME 321 and six other types in one day. I've yet to read of anyone approaching Eric Brown's long and incredibly varied testing career, admirable though their records may be.

]]> By: Herb Fisher Jr. http://www.historynet.com/was-eric-winkle-brown-the-best-test-pilot.htm#comment-404076 Herb Fisher Jr. Thu, 23 Dec 2010 21:07:17 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681011#comment-404076 Hello Julius, To a certain degree you are correct, Childs was my Dad's boss for a short period of time (three maybe four months). Loyd quit/stress, nobody wanted that position of extreme responsibility, Herb stepped up to the plate from the Loft at CW, Don Berlin and Burdette Wright said..."done deal"......at that time they needed someone qualified with steady steel nerves. From late 1939 thru approx.1952..my Dad was the man. Please note, that included the entire war period.....he was there with Chennault/Tigers/P-40s, the Hump/ C-46s advising young fellows how to survive as a consultant from Curtiss. Then trans-sonic propeller testing at Caldwell, NJ. Past President of the P-40 Warhawks Association, Hump Pilots Association, Thunderbolts Association and others. Get your facts straight. Herb Jr. Hello Julius,

To a certain degree you are correct, Childs was my Dad's boss for a short period of time (three maybe four months). Loyd quit/stress, nobody wanted that position of extreme responsibility, Herb stepped up to the plate from the Loft at CW, Don Berlin and Burdette Wright said…"done deal"……at that time they needed someone qualified with steady steel nerves. From late 1939 thru approx.1952..my Dad was the man. Please note, that included the entire war period…..he was there with Chennault/Tigers/P-40s, the Hump/ C-46s advising young fellows how to survive as a consultant from Curtiss. Then trans-sonic propeller testing at Caldwell, NJ. Past President of the P-40 Warhawks Association, Hump Pilots Association, Thunderbolts Association and others. Get your facts straight. Herb Jr.

]]> By: Paul Faltyn http://www.historynet.com/was-eric-winkle-brown-the-best-test-pilot.htm#comment-400971 Paul Faltyn Mon, 20 Dec 2010 20:12:15 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681011#comment-400971 Dear Sir, I would like to contact you regarding your father's career in Buffalo, I am with the NIagara Aerospace Museum and Niagara Frontier Aviation & Space Hall of Fame. Thank you, Paul D. Faltyn Dear Sir,

I would like to contact you regarding your father's career in Buffalo, I am with the NIagara Aerospace Museum and Niagara Frontier Aviation & Space Hall of Fame.

Thank you,

Paul D. Faltyn

]]> By: George J. Kirkby http://www.historynet.com/was-eric-winkle-brown-the-best-test-pilot.htm#comment-335995 George J. Kirkby Sat, 11 Sep 2010 00:43:55 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681011#comment-335995 While working on my pp cert. I would fly over Caldwell (1960) but could never find it from the ground. Later in 1973 I would be a CFI for Peggy Nusum at Liberty Aviation. At that time I was living in Ramsey and would see a very pleasant old man named Mr. Drum. After his passing while reading his obituary I learned Mr. Drum had been a test pilot for CW. I was disappointed that I had not known this earlier as I would have loved to have had a conversation with him. Does anyone know of Mr. Drum and his work? While working on my pp cert. I would fly over Caldwell (1960) but could never find it from the ground. Later in 1973 I would be a CFI for Peggy Nusum at Liberty Aviation. At that time I was living in Ramsey and would see a very pleasant old man named Mr. Drum. After his passing while reading his obituary I learned Mr. Drum had been a test pilot for CW. I was disappointed that I had not known this earlier as I would have loved to have had a conversation with him. Does anyone know of Mr. Drum and his work?

]]> By: William Sloan http://www.historynet.com/was-eric-winkle-brown-the-best-test-pilot.htm#comment-322064 William Sloan Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:13:51 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681011#comment-322064 In my humble opinion Chuck Yeager was the best test pilot American ever had and we had a lot. He had many, many noted accomplishments along with being the head of the Edwards Test Pilot school @ Edwards AFB, Calif in 1964. In my humble opinion Chuck Yeager was the best test pilot American ever had and we had a lot. He had many, many noted accomplishments along with being the head of the Edwards Test Pilot school @ Edwards AFB, Calif in 1964.

]]> By: Kris Bowne http://www.historynet.com/was-eric-winkle-brown-the-best-test-pilot.htm#comment-285748 Kris Bowne Fri, 28 May 2010 03:57:17 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681011#comment-285748 Herb, Glad to see that you made a visit to this site..I've been spotting it every once it the while in hopes that you'd check in. As a quick note, I moved my family in the early 90's to not far from where you lived. I often rode by the house & waved "hello" to who, I believe, was your mom. If you feel comfortable to post a phone# where I can call you, I will do so & we can put more together from there. On one of my surfing expeditions I thought I saw you in TX, but not 100% sure. I'll be back thru this site soon, hope to hear from you. Herb,
Glad to see that you made a visit to this site..I've been spotting it every once it the while in hopes that you'd check in. As a quick note, I moved my family in the early 90's to not far from where you lived. I often rode by the house & waved "hello" to who, I believe, was your mom. If you feel comfortable to post a phone# where I can call you, I will do so & we can put more together from there. On one of my surfing expeditions I thought I saw you in TX, but not 100% sure. I'll be back thru this site soon, hope to hear from you.

]]> By: Herb Fisher Jr. http://www.historynet.com/was-eric-winkle-brown-the-best-test-pilot.htm#comment-283540 Herb Fisher Jr. Tue, 25 May 2010 12:54:54 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681011#comment-283540 Kris, Very kind comments and I do appreciate. I have pictures of that Airshow at Caldwell Wright....now Essex County and a recording from the announcer broadcasting on a local radio station. I would really like to chat with you as well. Not sure how to make contact thru this forum. Kris,

Very kind comments and I do appreciate. I have pictures of that Airshow at Caldwell Wright….now Essex County and a recording from the announcer broadcasting on a local radio station. I would really like to chat with you as well. Not sure how to make contact thru this forum.

]]> By: Kris Bowne http://www.historynet.com/was-eric-winkle-brown-the-best-test-pilot.htm#comment-252315 Kris Bowne Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:07:00 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681011#comment-252315 Herb, Just a note regarding your dad from personal experiences. Herb Fisher picked me up & set me down on the wing of the P-47 he had just finished piloting for the crowd at Curtiss-Wright Airport in Fairfield (then Caldwell Township), NJ. What a thrill, I'll never forget that moment. He was a family friend for years before that, and I maintained intermittent contact with him as I grew up, and until his passing. A strong, solid man, good friend, and great engineering pilot for sure. One of the best ever to to strap on an airplane. I also have a momento he gave me from his time spent with Claire Chennault over with the AVG in China. One of the things he told me about was the fix he had to develop due of the dust & debris being inhaled at takeoff with the P-40's on those unimproved strips. If you can contact me, it'd be nice. Last I knew from your dad was that your were at Dal-Ft.Worth. Even though we've never met, I've wondered about you for years. Herb, Just a note regarding your dad from personal experiences.
Herb Fisher picked me up & set me down on the wing of the P-47 he had just finished piloting for the crowd at Curtiss-Wright Airport in Fairfield (then Caldwell Township), NJ. What a thrill, I'll never forget that moment. He was a family friend for years before that, and I maintained intermittent contact with him as I grew up, and until his passing. A strong, solid man, good friend, and great engineering pilot for sure. One of the best ever to to strap on an airplane. I also have a momento he gave me from his time spent with Claire Chennault over with the AVG in China. One of the things he told me about was the fix he had to develop due of the dust & debris being inhaled at takeoff with the P-40's on those unimproved strips. If you can contact me, it'd be nice. Last I knew from your dad was that your were at Dal-Ft.Worth.
Even though we've never met, I've wondered about you for years.

]]> By: Julius Palermo http://www.historynet.com/was-eric-winkle-brown-the-best-test-pilot.htm#comment-246590 Julius Palermo Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:15:36 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681011#comment-246590 Lyod Child was Herb Fisher boss's, Lloyd was VPof a ll Flight Test for Curtiss-Wright. Lets not forget John Olmsted - he was doing experimettal flight test work before Herb was hired. John Seal saved S2BC by recovering from a tail failure for research of failure. I meet Herb the day he was hired to fly production fligfht test.. Lloyd Child flew thw Hawk 75 exceedijng 500 mph in demonstration flight for th eFrench governemt circa 1939 check Life magazine. John Olmsted flew the reverse prop flight on A P47 before it was tried on a C54. The worrk of the Flight Test Crew ar C_W would make an intersting book. J.Palermo Lyod Child was Herb Fisher boss's, Lloyd was VPof a ll Flight Test for Curtiss-Wright. Lets not forget John Olmsted – he was doing experimettal flight test work before Herb was hired. John Seal saved S2BC by recovering from a tail failure for research of failure. I meet Herb the day he was hired to fly production fligfht test.. Lloyd Child flew thw Hawk 75 exceedijng 500 mph in demonstration flight for th eFrench governemt circa 1939 check Life magazine. John Olmsted flew the reverse prop flight on A P47 before it was tried on a C54.

The worrk of the Flight Test Crew ar C_W would make an intersting book.
J.Palermo

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