Daycab
October 6th, 2009, 08:33
While researching this plane I am working on, I have continually been impressed by the story of Neal Loving. This is one of those great stories that somehow get lost in the shuffle of history, but should always be remembered. It would make a great movie someday...
Not only was Neal Loving an African-American aviator in the 40's, which was almost unheard of (Tuskegee Airmen notwithstanding), he founded his own flying school to teach blacks flying after WWII He designed, built, and raced at least three planes including the WR-1; which I am modeling now. He then proceeded to fly that plane all across the country, and on a 2200 mile trip to Jamaica and then became an aeronautical engineer at Wright Patterson AFB until he retired. After he retired, he designed two more planes that could be towed behind your car.
Oh yeah, and he did it all after having both lower legs amputated because of a glider accident.
IMHO, this guy should be remembered right alongside the greats in aviation...
daycab
Not only was Neal Loving an African-American aviator in the 40's, which was almost unheard of (Tuskegee Airmen notwithstanding), he founded his own flying school to teach blacks flying after WWII He designed, built, and raced at least three planes including the WR-1; which I am modeling now. He then proceeded to fly that plane all across the country, and on a 2200 mile trip to Jamaica and then became an aeronautical engineer at Wright Patterson AFB until he retired. After he retired, he designed two more planes that could be towed behind your car.
Oh yeah, and he did it all after having both lower legs amputated because of a glider accident.
IMHO, this guy should be remembered right alongside the greats in aviation...
daycab