Test Pilots: Collection of Sixty Signed Photos of these Fearless Aviators Who Have Pushed the Boundaries of Aviation, from Ear...

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Test Pilots: Collection of Sixty Signed Photos of these Fearless Aviators Who Have Pushed the Boundaries of Aviation, from Early Biplanes to Supersonic Jets, Helping to Make Air Travel Safer and More Efficient for All. There is no way to duplicate this amazing collection; the majority of these men are now deceased. Below are career summaries of just a few of the autographs offered here.

Chuck Yeager: Broke the sound barrier in the Bell X-1, ushering in the era of supersonic flight.
Bill Dana: With a 40-year career at NASA, Bill Dana flew the hypersonic X-15 rocket plane, achieving speeds of 3,897 mph and altitudes of 307,000 feet, and participated in the X-20 Dyna-Soar program, marking his name in the annals of aerospace exploration??.
Jim Heyworth: Transitioning from a bomber pilot to a chief test pilot at Rolls-Royce, Jim Heyworth flew 82 different aircraft types including the Vulcan bomber and the 'Flying Bedstead' VTOL test rig, contributing to the development of jet propulsion?.
Robert Cardenas: From testing the German jet fighter ME-262 to piloting the B-29 launch aircraft for the X-1 experimental rocket plane, Robert Cardenas's contributions were pivotal in breaking the sound barrier and advancing supersonic flight research??.
Thomas McMurtry: A former naval aviator turned NASA test pilot, Thomas McMurtry flew a wide array of aircraft including the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter and the U-2, amassing over 11,000 hours of flying time while advancing aerospace research over decades?.
C.E. "Bud" Anderson: An exemplary combat pilot who transitioned into a distinguished test pilot career, advancing the frontier of flight.
Fred Ascani: Piloted various early jet aircraft and held speed records, contributing immensely to jet propulsion advancements.
Bill Weaver: Survived an in-flight breakup during a test flight, providing invaluable data that improved flight safety.
Donald L. Mallick: Contributed to significant advancements in flight control systems and supersonic flight during his tenure at NASA.
Robert J. Gilliland: Lead test pilot for the SR-71 Blackbird program, playing a crucial role in the high-speed, high-altitude testing domain.
Bob Smyth: Expert in rotary wing aircraft testing, his contributions greatly improved helicopter performance and safety.
Irv Burrows: His precise testing and feedback on the F-15 Eagle significantly contributed to its development and operational success.
Clifford L. Stout: Known for his rigorous testing of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) systems, enhancing their operational viability.
Eric Brown: Holding the world record for the most aircraft flown, his testing career was instrumental in advancing naval aviation.
Robert G. Ferry: Set a world altitude record with the Lockheed XV-4 Hummingbird, demonstrating the potential of VTOL technologies.
Rus Stiles: Known for his exceptional skill in testing highly experimental aircraft, contributing to the forward edge of aeronautic innovation.

Some duplication, some photos with multiple signatures. About half are roughly 8" x 10", the others are approximately 5" x 7". Several inscribed to "Derek." This is the first time Heritage has offered signatures from many of these aviators. It was fascinating to do the research and learn of the brave exploits of these pilots. Some real rarities here. Don't miss out. Generally very fine. Please access biographical summaries for additional pilots on our website.

More Information: Johnnie Johnson: Known as the highest scoring Royal Air Force fighter pilot of World War II, Johnnie Johnson flew 515 sorties, destroying 34 aircraft with a notable career extending into the Korean War, retiring as an air vice marshal in 1966​.
Neville Duke: A revered wartime pilot, Neville Duke transitioned into a peacetime test pilot with Hawker Aviation, breaking the world airspeed record in 1953 and contributing significantly to the development of the Hawker Hunter aircraft​.
David Thatcher: Known for his role as the Engineer-Gunner aboard Crew 7 in the famed Doolittle Tokyo Raid during World War II, Thatcher displayed remarkable bravery following a crash landing near a small island in China​​.
Tom Griffin: As a navigator in the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, Tom Griffin contributed to the critical morale-boosting mission against Japan during the early stages of World War II​​.
Richard E. Cole: Serving as co-pilot to Jimmy Doolittle in the legendary Doolittle Raid, Richard E. Cole's daring aviation feats continued across the China Burma India Theater during World War II​​.
Fitzhugh L. Fulton: Renowned for piloting the B-58 Hustler and the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, Fulton's test career significantly contributed to high-speed and heavy aircraft testing.
Norvin "Bud" Evans: Dedicated decades to testing emerging technologies, significantly advancing aerodynamic understanding.
John Cunningham: Leveraged his exceptional night-flying skills to test innovative radar technologies during WWII.
Peter Twiss: Broke the world air speed record in the Fairey Delta 2, significantly advancing British aviation prestige.
Rusty Waughman: Valor in combat segued into a test pilot career where he made significant contributions to avionic enhancements.
Paul Metz: First non-Lockheed pilot to fly the F-22 Raptor, playing a key role in its development and testing phases.
Richard Graham: Distinguished for his extensive test and operational experience with the SR-71 Blackbird, contributing to Cold War reconnaissance efforts.
LaVerne Griffin: Pioneering efforts in early jet aircraft testing helped to establish fundamental standards for jet aviation.
Ray McPherson: Known for his meticulous test procedures which greatly advanced the understanding of aircraft flight dynamics.
Brian Binnie: Piloted SpaceShipOne during its Ansari X Prize winning flight, marking a significant milestone in commercial spaceflight.
Pete Reynolds: Renowned for his high-altitude test flights which provided invaluable data for aircraft design and operation.
Corky Meyer: Known for his integral role in the development and testing of early jet fighter aircraft like the Grumman F9F Panther.
Jack Krings: His keen insights and extensive testing across multiple aircraft platforms significantly advanced the field of avionics.
Roy Martin: His work in testing cutting-edge avionics systems helped set new standards in flight control and navigation.