Archive for May, 2009

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Test Pilot Helmets

Everyone has a trademark of some kind. Mine is my homemade helmet from 1946 when I was a test pilot for Chance Vought Aircraft in Stratford, CT.
At that time, much equipment for test pilots was primitive compared with today. One piece which was very inadequate was our helmets. The ones we used early on [...]

31May2009 | Wayne Harding | 5 comments | Continued
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Camaraderie at Idlewild Airport

During my two years at Chance Vought Aircraft, construction of a new mammoth airport for New York City was in progress. One runway was so long and wide that many aircraft companies in New England requested and obtained permission to use this runway for emergency and initial flight landings. The airport was called Idlewild until [...]

30May2009 | Wayne Harding | 0 comments | Continued
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Breaking the Sound Barrier

As I began my learning curve and duties of a test pilot, I became immersed in the challenge of being first to crack the sound barrier, especially since I worked in Aerodynamics much of my time at Chance Vought Aircraft. I had been hired as an engineering test pilot.
The barrier in design of future planes [...]

25May2009 | Wayne Harding | 1 comment | Continued
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Hello Readers - Climb Aboard!

Buckle up and I promise you an exhilarating ride in the F4U Corsair. You’ll experience shattering speeds, amazing maneuvers, and some ground level excitement as well.

20May2009 | Wayne Harding | 4 comments | Continued