10 June 1969: The U.S. Air Force donated the first North American Aviation X-15, serial number 56-6670, to the Smithsonian Institution for display at the National Air and Space Museum. The first of three X-15A hypersonic research rocketplanes built by North American for the Air Force and the National Advisory Committee (NACA, the predecessor of NASA), 56-6670 made the first glide flight and
The “Wiz” probably had as much fun flying the HUN as anyone.
“Thank you Bob Hoover for explaining a “racked slat” complicating recovery from inverted spins/spirals. Trying to recover upside down while contending with a compressor stall will definitely sharpen your concentration!
The wiz was fortunate to fly all theaters of the Vietnam War; north and south Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia–no rp6. He also flew the first F-100 back from Vietnam; Saigon, to Cannon AFB in July 1970. Wiz, or OZ, served as a composite Wing Commander under General Dixon, and as a fighter Wing Commander under General Creech.
What a change in philosophy! Jerry and Jody ended their AF careers as diplomats in Africa; great change of scenery!
Wiz was invited to fly the mirage F-1; but, diplomacy has its quirks.
As past commander of the last active duty A-7 Wing (23TFW) Flying Tigers, he still says an afterburner is a must!
Hun Drivers in the sky – makes one proud to have flown with such great aviators. Thanks for the memories!”
