Aviation

It Has a Handbook Doesn’t It? F-100 and Crossfield

By Victoria Yeager / September 8, 2014

I had flown the F-100 a lot and had delivered one to Scott Crossfield to fly. I asked him if he wanted me to check him out. No, it has a handbook, doesn’t it? said Crossfield arrogantly. Me: Be my guest. And I walked out. A few days later, Paul Bickle, Assistant Chief of the…

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Training Jackie Cochran-to Become 1st Woman to Break Sound Barrier

By Victoria Yeager / May 18, 2014

I first met Jackie Cochran in 1947, not long after I broke the sound barrier, in Secretary of the Air Force Scott Symington’s office. She was a tall, blonde woman in her forties. “I’m Jackie Cochran,” she said pumping my hand. “Great job, Captain Yeager. We’re all proud of you.” She invited me to lunch…

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B-51 – Chuck Yeager & Russ Schleeh

By Victoria Yeager / May 17, 2014

Even Col Boyd never got to fly it – although he wanted to do so, he never found the time. In the ’50s, I used to fly it cross country to get home to Hamlin – speedy for its day. Three engines. Russ Schleeh and I were two of the first to fly it. Only…

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Chuck Yeager – F-100D

By Victoria Yeager / April 30, 2014

I usually flew 6590 – a two seater. He could do the flight planning….and I could fly. But this was a single seater.   c. GCYI

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March 16-17, 1944:WWII. Close call-Germans Walk Right in Front of Me

By Victoria Yeager / March 17, 2014

March 16, ’44: The girl leaves. No chance. But really too dangerous – don’t ever know who is on what side. March 17, 1944: Not much to do so I venture a little closer to the road – watch the passersby from under the shade of the tree, think about my next move. How am…

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March 9, 1944 WWII Hiding from the Germans

By Victoria Yeager / March 9, 2014

Jean and I go to the bigger lake to fish. He, as alert as I am and wise beyond his years, shows me the hidden way. Hanging out with Jean, I learn a little French. It’s a long way. We bring back some fish for le dejeuner (lunch). The young mother makes a shirt for…

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Flying Chase for Pilot with Hypoxia: From Chuck Yeager’s files

By Victoria Yeager / September 7, 2013

Chuck Yeager: I never lost a pilot while flying chase, but there were many close calls. After I had flown the X-4 research airplane, the Air Force turned it over to NACA, and I flew chase for their pilot. Joe Walker. We were climbing together through 20,000 feet, and was listening to Joe talking with…

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DECLASSIFIED: Gen Chuck Yeager assigned to Clark AFB re Vietnam 1966

By Victoria Yeager / August 31, 2013

Recently declassified from General Chuck Yeager’s copyrighted USAF oral history – assigned to Clark AFB re Vietnam Yeager: I finished up my tour there with the school at Edwards and got a new assignment ot Clark Airbase in the Philippines as Commander of the 405th Fighter Wing. I reckon you would call it a multitype…

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DECLASSIFIED-From Russia with Jackie Cochran – Yeager Oral History – Part 1

By Victoria Yeager / August 31, 2013

Parts of General Yeager’s Oral History with the Air Force have been declassified. Here is the first installment: Yeager: I was getting a little bit worried they were going to put her (Jackie Cochran) in jail. (laughter) I was about ready to go home anyway. So we whistled out of there to Spain and then…

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DECLASSIFIED – SQUADRON SEES RED: Chuck Yeager Oral History – Part 2

By Victoria Yeager / August 31, 2013

Recently declassified: General Yeager’s words: When I took the squadron to Italy, we had the four 50-gallon drop tanks. We were replacing a squadron that was at Myrtle Beach. Now Aviano had TACAN (tactical air navigation). So our deployment – that was when TAC came out and said, “Take all the squadron colors off the…

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Before Testing the MiG 15 – Korea – Chuck Yeager

By Victoria Yeager / August 22, 2013

This evening this was one of many stories General Yeager related to me: While prepping to test the MiG in Korea, a staff car came up. Gen Boyd got out. Pouring w/rain. Gen Boyd to me: Come here I want you to meet somebody. It was a 4 star general. 4 star general to me:…

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Flying Pennsylvania Ave, Wash., DC for General/Mamie Eisenhower

By Victoria Yeager / August 4, 2013

General Yeager had agreed to serve as Grand Marshal for the National Memorial Day Parade 2012. He was honored to accept on behalf of and representing veterans to honor those who had died. Just before the Parade started, he was asked to speak. So that is how General Yeager came to be standing in front…

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