RIP Chuck Yeager: First Man to Break The Sound Barrier

[Clockworkmike]

Once hailed as the fastest man alive, legendary pilot Brigadier General Chuck Yeager passed away today at 97. He first broke the sound barrier in 1947 and set numerous air speed records in the following years. Famously depicted in the film , The Right Stuff and most of , a fellow WVian

 

[Far Rider]

One of my heroes. R.I.P Chuck. You really lived.

 

[Ramo]

rest in peace

 

[Clockworkmike]

One of my heroes. R.I.P Chuck. You really lived.

That he did! He accomplished a ton to come from so little. Our main airport here is named after him which was always kinda cool

 

[Far Rider]

It was an American success story that he rose to the rank of Brigadier General. That's usually reserved for Academy graduates. It was so cool that they put him in The Right Stuff as a plain old bartender. I still watch that movie whenever it comes on. To break the sound barrier with busted ribs must have been painful as hell. His friend and engineer in that movie (Jack Ridley, I think played by Levon Helms) was my favorite character. Always had a stick of Beeman's gum ready for good luck.

 

[Session 5]

 

[Clockworkmike]

It was an American success story that he rose to the rank of Brigadier General. That's usually reserved for Academy graduates. It was so cool that they put him in The Right Stuff as a plain old bartender. I still watch that movie whenever it comes on. To break the sound barrier with busted ribs must have been painful as hell. His friend and engineer in that movie (Jack Ridley, I think played by Levon Helms) was my favorite character. Always had a stick of Beeman's gum ready for good luck.

Yeah the Jack Ridley portrayal was played really cool by Levon Helms, the only guy Chuck Yeager would pretty much listen to lol

I loved what Chuck said about his bartender character, in that he had figured he'd spent enough time in the very bar they were depicting, that it was only fitting to be behind the bar for a change lol

 

[Session 5]

 

[Clockworkmike]

He conquered the demon of the skies. Anyway you cut it, that took insane guts to be willing to be dropped out of a bomb bay while inside a rocket, in a poorly pressurized cockpit traveling at Mach 1.

 

[Session 5]

He conquered the demon of the skies. Anyway you cut it, that took insane guts to be willing to be dropped out of a bomb bay while inside a rocket, in a poorly pressurized cockpit traveling at Mach 1.

That's for sure!!

 

[steveb63]

R.I.P.
Can't be of my generation and not have this guy as one of your hero's.

Fastest man to ascend to heaven, he was the best.

 

[Inspector #20]

He lived not far away in Grass Valley, California.

 

[Ghostman]

My first hero that I could remember. RIP Chuck.

 

[Don O]

R.I.P. Chuck. Almost every kids hero in the 60s.

A few of his awards. Notice the 5 Bf 109s shot down in a single day, damn.

 

[Clockworkmike]

R.I.P. Chuck. Almost every kids hero in the 60s.

A few of his awards. Notice the 5 Bf 109s shot down in a single day, damn.

View attachment 53799

5 aerial kills is an automatic qualifier for Ace Pilot status and he did that in a single setting. Speaks volumes

 

[Mitch Pearrow SJMP]

R.I.P. Chuck

 

[ivan H]

RIP Chuck Yeager.

 

[Parkenfarker]

Amazing man.
He was of my father’s generation.
Both grew up poor as hell, but wealthy in character.
godspeed General!
Think how fast he is flying now that he has earned his eternal wings!

 

[Amp Mad Scientist]

He flew the X-1, an experimental rocket plane.
The first pilot in history confirmed to have exceeded the speed of sound in level flight.
He was the original madman test pilot of modern space flight.