707 does a roll -- video

Dudley Henriques wrote:
"Danny Deger" wrote in message
...
http://www.orizzle.com/htm/v/020.htm

Danny Deger

Know the event well, as well as the guy who did it :-)
I think Tex probably sold more airplanes for Boeing that day over the races
than the sales department could have in ten years. He did get the "word"
however, not to do it again!!
He had a photo of the airplane inverted hanging in his office for many
years.
It was a barrel roll BTW, NOT an aileron roll, in case anyone ever asks you.
He had to keep positive pressure in the oil system.
Dudley Henriques

I listened to a talk that Tex gave in the cafeteria of the 40-87
building in Everett back when I was working there. It was probably
1992 or 1993.

His talk was about a P-39 aircobra that he was involved in modifying
for an air race. One of the things he brought up early in his talk was
about how the landing gear came up in less than 2 seconds.
Unfortunately his memory was getting pretty bad and he kept asking if
he had brought up the fact that the landing gear came up in 2 seconds
throughout his talk. He must have asked that 15 times over the course
of his talk. After a while it almost took on the character of a
running joke, and it was hard to show the proper respect and keep a
straight face, especially since my engineering lead was sitting right
next to me with his hand over his face and a supressed laugh every time
Tex asked that question. I had to avoid looking over at him to avoid
laughing myself. It was one of those embarassing moments that are so
awkward you can't help but want to laugh.

Yes, I know that old age memory loss is not a laughing matter...

Dean