Great video Mike. Unfortunately Yeager and the other test pilots never got a lot of credit and recognition way back then. They flew their missions in the early years of the "Cold War". They all deserve recognition and kudos for what they did.
Good point Garfield, thanks, and yes it's interesting that Yeager's biography wasn't published until after the book and movie, "The Right Stuff." Other than us folks in aviation, not too many in the general public even knew of his career before that.
Very much enjoyed this educational and fascinating tribute to one of the greatest aviators that ever lived. Thank you Mike, and look forward to all your forthcoming presentations.
Fellow night owl! Thanks, and watched your livestream tonight also - appreciate the shout-out. (D.B. Cooper and Bell X-2 will be in next Friday's video.)
Chuck Yeager was kind enough to invite myself and a friend to his home in Grass Valley, CA when I lived in that community in the 1980s. An unimaginable thrill for this avid aviation enthusiast.
Mike, as a collector of display models (Topping, Precise, etc.) and factory models I am amazed by your collection. I would really enjoy a video, or more, on that topic and the stories associated with them. The condition and rarity are amazing.
Thank you Robert and we have more "In-Studio" videos planned with factory models of VTOLs, Convair deltas, one-of-a-kind exotics, and supersonic bombers to name a few. 'Appreciate your watching the channel!
Hi Mike - this is Krista on my dad’s account. I really enjoyed this episode. The way in which you story tell is an art in itself! Very fascinating to watch. Well done! Looking forward to more episodes. Happy Holidays to you!
Hi Krista - thanks for your nice comment, and 'glad you enjoyed the video. Your Dad always speaks so proudly of your latest accomplishments every time we get together for our traditional lunches. All the best for the Holidays as well!
Thank you! Great video, great subject. Yeager's autobiography is one of my favorite reads. Favorite story is about when he was test flying the defector's Mig 15 out of Kadena. A four star general is asking him why he, as a test pilot, was wiring up the ejection seat in the rain before flying the plane. "Don't you have people who can do that for you?" His reply, "Because I want to stay alive, General". Incredible pilot and an incredible man.
Thanks Chuck, and yes, Yeager was truly one-of-a-kind. His protege and fellow test pilot, Astronaut Joe Engle said it best - "Yeager doesn't just fly an airplane, he communicates with it!" 'Appreciate your comment, and Happy Holidays!
Pretty cool to have known Gen. Yeager! I've read his and Bob Hoover's autobiographies, and heard them speak at Oshkosh a few times. They are both such legends!
Another great one, Mike. Chuck Yeager has always been my main hero. Second was Big Daddy Don Garlitz. Thank you for your work. I really enjoy when you sneak in those box tops. I remember attempting to build a Strombecker model of the Sky Rocket. Long time ago, man.
Can't believe I'm only finding your videos now. Thank you for your service, and all your hard work. The passion you show for your work and craft is super inspiring. Great video, and thank you for the information and inspiration.
I read one of Chuck Yeagers autobiographies. It was very interesting. He is mainly known for breaking the sound barrier but his exploits in WW2 were really cool!! Getting shot down over Germany and surviving for months in enemy territory almost getting caught by the Germans, being shot at,and eventually hooking up with the French underground who eventually got him out and he went back to his unit to keep fighting. His stories with Bud Andersen flying over Germany doing and flying however they wanted were very exciting!! I personally think he was best pilot ever. His ability to get into any aircraft and master it quickly is very impressive. He even flew the sr 71. If I understand it correctly, he was aloud to take any military aircraft he wanted to fly and I think he flew all of the!
Thanks Tom, and 'appreciate all the nice comments you've so kindly written. Plenty of new videos planned for the coming year, and Happy Holidays to you as well!
I miss these videos, Mike (current VIP subscriber) and this one was suggested by RUclips and I don't remember seeing it, somehow!!!. Re the Bell X1, you're probably aware of the story that the secret of its ultimate success was the wholly moveable tailplane "borrowed" from the British Miles M52 design, details of which the UK gave to the US researchers in a spirit of reciprocity but nothing was forthcoming the other way. A scale model of the M52 did, I think, exceed the sound barrier, and the full scale version (cancelled by politicians) was projected to reach 1000mph.
13:52 Douglas X-3: years ago ('87-'88) there was a software program on the Macintosh (and other platforms) called Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer and one of the aircraft you can fly was this X-3. Yes it was an underpowered beast of an airplane, could barely make Mach 1 from a ground takeoff. There was an option to simulate a drop launch from an mothership and using this at high altitude I was able to dive the X-3 to Mach 1.6 before having to pull up so as not to impact the ground. The X-3 looked faster than it could fly and was IMHO the inspiration for Lockheed's F-104
The Martin XB-51 is still my favorite X plane….it had so many radical advancements, including the variable incidence wing (pilot could control the wings angle of attack) and a rotary bomb bay. It lost out in the light bomber competition to the British Canberra, which Martin built under license as the B-57. That must have been a bit of a humiliating moment for Martin. I am still waiting for a 1/144 or 1/72 scale injected molded kit of the XB-51!
Thanks for the question Vik, and I believe that was Republic's Chief Test Pilot on the XF-91, Carl Bellinger, although that aircraft had additional rocket-boosted power. North American test pilot George "Wheaties" Welch flew the F-100 as the first 'pure jet' fighter to achieve Mach 1 in level flight, and the world's first operational supersonic jet.
Thanks for the clarification Mike. It's interesting to note that the F-100 Super Sabre and the F4D Skyray were both acknowledged as being the first land and carrier-based supersonic jets with the 1953 Collier Trophy. Hat's off to Douglas as well.
@@viksaini Very true, and both the F-100 and F4D were powered by the revolutionary Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet (plus the 707 and DC-8), which was a game-changer back then. Still, exceeding Mach 1 was always a "dash speed" for just a minute or two at best, as those jets burned a lot of fuel in 'burner. 'Appreciate your great comments!
@@celebratingaviationwithmik9782 Thank you. I'm really glad you're creating these videos. I have many of the books you have illustrated and have really enjoyed them over the years. I'm looking forward to your MD jets video to see more of the Long Beach facility were I used to work.
@@viksaini Hoping to post that video in the next few weeks, and good to know you're still connected to the great company. Sure is different than when I was at LGB in the late 1970s!
Hi Mike I have suggested doing a video on RC Jets and you declined. But as much as you use models on your videos, some of the RC scale jets are much more detailed and scale than the models you use in your videos....I think you would be very impressed if you looked into them....Please think about that again.....tks Sure enjoy your videos...
General Yeager was a hero of mine growing up. Those types of men only come along once in a generation. Would have loved to meet him.
Go get them Jen!
Great video Mike. Unfortunately Yeager and the other test pilots never got a lot of credit and recognition way back then. They flew their missions in the early years of the "Cold War". They all deserve recognition and kudos for what they did.
Good point Garfield, thanks, and yes it's interesting that Yeager's biography wasn't published until after the book and movie, "The Right Stuff." Other than us folks in aviation, not too many in the general public even knew of his career before that.
Great story on Chuck Yeager and your association with him. Very nice, rare, display models too! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Dan - appreciate the comment, and there are many more factory models to feature in the coming year.
This is the best thing I ever saw.
Great models and a great gentleman, Mr. Yeager.
Fantastic Video Mr. Machat, history, anecdotes, models...you name it. Thanks!
And obviously...your one and only Art!.
Thanks Piero, glad you enjoyed the video. 'Appreciate the comment, and Happy Holidays!
Very much enjoyed this educational and fascinating tribute to one of the greatest aviators that ever lived. Thank you Mike, and look forward to all your forthcoming presentations.
Thank you Glenn, and we have many more models to feature in upcoming videos. 'Hope to see you soon!
Another great one Mike.
Fellow night owl! Thanks, and watched your livestream tonight also - appreciate the shout-out. (D.B. Cooper and Bell X-2 will be in next Friday's video.)
@@celebratingaviationwithmik9782 Great
That f86 is sweet. As a kid I loved it. Really never resonated with more modern craft..but all my life the f86 inspired me to fly
Chuck Yeager was kind enough to invite myself and a friend to his home in Grass Valley, CA when I lived in that community in the 1980s. An unimaginable thrill for this avid aviation enthusiast.
Thanks for another great video Mike. Godspeed General Yeager, one of my heroes.
Thanks David!
Mike, as a collector of display models (Topping, Precise, etc.) and factory models I am amazed by your collection. I would really enjoy a video, or more, on that topic and the stories associated with them. The condition and rarity are amazing.
Thank you Robert and we have more "In-Studio" videos planned with factory models of VTOLs, Convair deltas, one-of-a-kind exotics, and supersonic bombers to name a few. 'Appreciate your watching the channel!
Hi Mike - this is Krista on my dad’s account. I really enjoyed this episode. The way in which you story tell is an art in itself! Very fascinating to watch. Well done! Looking forward to more episodes. Happy Holidays to you!
Hi Krista - thanks for your nice comment, and 'glad you enjoyed the video. Your Dad always speaks so proudly of your latest accomplishments every time we get together for our traditional lunches. All the best for the Holidays as well!
These shows are great. Thank you for doing them! Fascinating. Years ago I used to go out to Edwards for the annual open house.
Excellent feature. Great to hear some Yeager stories!
Thanks, and 'glad you enjoyed the video!
Thank you! Great video, great subject. Yeager's autobiography is one of my favorite reads. Favorite story is about when he was test flying the defector's Mig 15 out of Kadena. A four star general is asking him why he, as a test pilot, was wiring up the ejection seat in the rain before flying the plane. "Don't you have people who can do that for you?" His reply, "Because I want to stay alive, General". Incredible pilot and an incredible man.
Thanks Chuck, and yes, Yeager was truly one-of-a-kind. His protege and fellow test pilot, Astronaut Joe Engle said it best - "Yeager doesn't just fly an airplane, he communicates with it!" 'Appreciate your comment, and Happy Holidays!
Thank you for a great video. I learned a great deal about one of my personal heroes.
Thanks Chuck, and 'glad you enjoyed the presentation. Yeager was truly one-of-a-kind.
Pretty cool to have known Gen. Yeager! I've read his and Bob Hoover's autobiographies, and heard them speak at Oshkosh a few times. They are both such legends!
The scene in The Right Stuff where Yeager spun the X-1A was just beyond amazing.
Another great one, Mike. Chuck Yeager has always been my main hero. Second was Big Daddy Don Garlitz. Thank you for your work. I really enjoy when you sneak in those box tops. I remember attempting to build a Strombecker model of the Sky Rocket. Long time ago, man.
Appreciate the comment, thanks!
Gen Yeager was one, of very few, old and bold pilots. Count yourself lucky to have known him or someone like him. He is an inspiration. Bravo Zulu
Can't believe I'm only finding your videos now. Thank you for your service, and all your hard work. The passion you show for your work and craft is super inspiring. Great video, and thank you for the information and inspiration.
Appreciate the wonderful comment, thanks!
Mike, great video as always! Keep them coming and an opportunity to learn more!
Thanks Jerry, and yes, plenty more factory models to feature in the coming year. Happy Holidays!
I read one of Chuck Yeagers autobiographies. It was very interesting. He is mainly known for breaking the sound barrier but his exploits in WW2 were really cool!! Getting shot down over Germany and surviving for months in enemy territory almost getting caught by the Germans, being shot at,and eventually hooking up with the French underground who eventually got him out and he went back to his unit to keep fighting. His stories with Bud Andersen flying over Germany doing and flying however they wanted were very exciting!! I personally think he was best pilot ever. His ability to get into any aircraft and master it quickly is very impressive. He even flew the sr 71. If I understand it correctly, he was aloud to take any military aircraft he wanted to fly and I think he flew all of the!
Absolutely loving these videos Mike!
Thank you Martin - appreciate the comment and Happy Holidays!
It's nice to see you speaking in a video Sir. Another great video. Greatly enjoyed. Happy holidays to you and keep the great artwork coming!
Thanks Tom, and 'appreciate all the nice comments you've so kindly written. Plenty of new videos planned for the coming year, and Happy Holidays to you as well!
I thought I'd seen everything and then the XB-51. What a cool prototype!
I miss these videos, Mike (current VIP subscriber) and this one was suggested by RUclips and I don't remember seeing it, somehow!!!. Re the Bell X1, you're probably aware of the story that the secret of its ultimate success was the wholly moveable tailplane "borrowed" from the British Miles M52 design, details of which the UK gave to the US researchers in a spirit of reciprocity but nothing was forthcoming the other way. A scale model of the M52 did, I think, exceed the sound barrier, and the full scale version (cancelled by politicians) was projected to reach 1000mph.
This is such a great episode, Mike! Such good insight from you.
Many thanks!
Fabulous video sir, you should do a video on Gen. Yeager test flight of the Mug fighter. Amazing story.
Excellent
Excelent!!!
13:52 Douglas X-3: years ago ('87-'88) there was a software program on the Macintosh (and other platforms) called Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer and one of the aircraft you can fly was this X-3. Yes it was an underpowered beast of an airplane, could barely make Mach 1 from a ground takeoff. There was an option to simulate a drop launch from an mothership and using this at high altitude I was able to dive the X-3 to Mach 1.6 before having to pull up so as not to impact the ground.
The X-3 looked faster than it could fly and was IMHO the inspiration for Lockheed's F-104
Yeager was the man for his ability to recover planes others would be very challenged to land safely
The Martin XB-51 is still my favorite X plane….it had so many radical advancements, including the variable incidence wing (pilot could control the wings angle of attack) and a rotary bomb bay. It lost out in the light bomber competition to the British Canberra, which Martin built under license as the B-57. That must have been a bit of a humiliating moment for Martin.
I am still waiting for a 1/144 or 1/72 scale injected molded kit of the XB-51!
Agreed on that plastic kit!
Thanks :-)
Excellent video, Mike! You look a little wet behind the ears in the picture with Chuck Yeager.
Photo was taken in 1996 - a long time ago now.
FWIW, I did NOT know that the name _CONVAIR_ was formed from the name _CONSOLIDATED VULTEE._
Learn something new every day...👍👍
Great video Mike. Do you know who was the first, documented pilot to exceed Mach 1 in an air-breathing vehicle (XF-91) while in level flight?
Thanks for the question Vik, and I believe that was Republic's Chief Test Pilot on the XF-91, Carl Bellinger, although that aircraft had additional rocket-boosted power. North American test pilot George "Wheaties" Welch flew the F-100 as the first 'pure jet' fighter to achieve Mach 1 in level flight, and the world's first operational supersonic jet.
Thanks for the clarification Mike. It's interesting to note that the F-100 Super Sabre and the F4D Skyray were both acknowledged as being the first land and carrier-based supersonic jets with the 1953 Collier Trophy. Hat's off to Douglas as well.
@@viksaini Very true, and both the F-100 and F4D were powered by the revolutionary Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet (plus the 707 and DC-8), which was a game-changer back then. Still, exceeding Mach 1 was always a "dash speed" for just a minute or two at best, as those jets burned a lot of fuel in 'burner. 'Appreciate your great comments!
@@celebratingaviationwithmik9782 Thank you. I'm really glad you're creating these videos. I have many of the books you have illustrated and have really enjoyed them over the years. I'm looking forward to your MD jets video to see more of the Long Beach facility were I used to work.
@@viksaini Hoping to post that video in the next few weeks, and good to know you're still connected to the great company. Sure is different than when I was at LGB in the late 1970s!
Wasn't the X3 called Stiletto?
I wonder Which of those planes were General Yeager’s favorite …. ?
Hi Mike I have suggested doing a video on RC Jets and you declined. But as much as you use models on your videos, some of the RC scale jets are much more detailed and scale than the models you use in your videos....I think you would be very impressed if you looked into them....Please think about that again.....tks Sure enjoy your videos...