Tony LeVier

Tony LeVier was a legendary American test pilot and air racing champion, best known for his pioneering work as the chief test pilot for the Lockheed Corporation during the formative years of American jet aviation. His career spanned from pre-war barnstorming through the development of iconic aircraft like the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star and the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, earning him numerous accolades including the Harmon Trophy. A charismatic and skilled aviator, LeVier also left a significant mark on the world of competitive air racing, setting multiple speed records and winning prestigious events like the Bendix Trophy.

Early life and career

Born in Duluth, Minnesota, Anthony W. LeVier developed a passion for aviation as a teenager, taking his first flight lessons in a Fleet biplane. He began his professional flying career in the early 1930s as a barnstormer and aerial crop duster, performing at air shows across the Midwestern United States. His exceptional piloting skills soon led him to employment with various commercial aviation services and a stint as a flight instructor. In 1941, his reputation caught the attention of the Lockheed Corporation, which hired him as a production test pilot at their facility in Burbank, California, marking the start of his historic association with the company.

World War II service

During World War II, LeVier's role at Lockheed Corporation was critical to the Allied war effort, though he served as a civilian test pilot. He was deeply involved in testing and delivering thousands of advanced military aircraft, including the Lockheed P-38 Lightning and the Lockheed Ventura. His most significant wartime contribution began with the top-secret development of the United States' first operational jet fighter, the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star. Under the direction of legendary engineer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson at the Skunk Works, LeVier conducted the risky initial flight tests of the revolutionary jet, overcoming numerous technical challenges to prove its airworthiness and performance.

Post-war test pilot career

After the war, LeVier was appointed chief test pilot for Lockheed Corporation, a position he held for nearly two decades. In this role, he was the primary pilot for the first flights of many landmark aircraft. He piloted the prototype of the T-33 trainer, a derivative of the P-80, and the radical Lockheed XF-90 penetration fighter. His most famous and dangerous test flights involved the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, a record-setting interceptor known as "the missile with a man in it." LeVier also tested early models of the Lockheed U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance plane for the CIA and contributed to the development of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport.

Air racing and records

Parallel to his test flying, LeVier was a dominant figure in post-war air racing. Flying highly modified versions of P-38 Lightnings, such as the "Lucky Seven" and "Bardahl Special", he achieved great success. He won the prestigious Bendix Trophy race in 1948 and set a transcontinental speed record from Burbank, California to New York City in 1950. Competing in events like the National Air Races at Cleveland and later at the Reno Air Races, he was known for his aggressive yet precise flying style, earning the respect of fellow racers like Jacqueline Cochran and Paul Mantz.

Later life and legacy

After retiring from Lockheed Corporation in the mid-1960s, LeVier remained active in aviation as a consultant and motivational speaker, often sharing his experiences with organizations like the Experimental Aircraft Association. He was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1978 and received the Elder Statesman of Aviation Award from the National Aeronautic Association. His contributions were also recognized with military decorations such as the Distinguished Flying Cross. Tony LeVier passed away in Ventura, California in 1998, remembered as one of the most influential and courageous test pilots of the jet age, whose work helped define the capabilities of modern military aviation.

Category:American test pilots Category:American aviators Category:Air racing pilots Category:1913 births Category:1998 deaths