fishsalmon

Herman "Fish" Salmon, air racer and Lockheed test pilot. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Salmon

Herman "Fish" Salmon en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Salmon

North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang 44-10947 "...SOC at Searcy Field, Stillwater, OK. Sold by War Assets Corp to Paul Mantz Feb 19, 1946 as NCX1202. Won 1946 and 1947 Bendix trophy races, placed second in 1948 Bendix trophy race. Registered as NC1202, placed 3rd in 1949 Bendix trophy race. Set coast to coast speed records in both directions in 1947. Purchased by Charles Blair and prepared for round the world record attempt as Excalibur III. Attempt pre-empted by Korean War. Set record New York-London time of 7 hr 48 min Jan 31, 1951, which still stands for piston-engined aircraft. First trans-polar flight from Norway to Fairbanks, AK May 29, 1951, winning Harmon Trophy. Now with Air and Space Museum as Excalibur III. Reported in 1990 as on display in Museum of Science and Industry, Los Angeles, CA" - J. Baugher

On the far left is Lockheed Test Pilot Tony LeVier, on the far right is another legendary aviator and test pilot, Herman R. 'Fish' Salmon (See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Salmon ). Salmon would take the F-104 up on its first flight on February 17, 1956. What is also interesting about this photo is if you look over LeVier's right shoulder, you will see a fairing covering this F-104 Starfighter's jet intake. The F-104's intake design was initially classified, and early publicity photos featuring the aircraft were made with these fairings concealing the aircraft's intake configuration. Accordingly, it is very likely that they aircraft they are standing in front of is one of the first two service test Lockheed YF-104A Starfighters (USAF Ser. Nos. 55-2955 or 55-2956). Here is a lowered-resolution photo in the SDASM Photostream better illustrating the fairings (also possibly featuring Salmon in the pressure suit): The gentleman in the suit is the (then) long-time president of the Lockheed Corporation, Robert E. Gross. Since the YF-104A first flew in February 1956, and Robert Gross' last year leading Lockheed was 1956, we can be relatively confident that this photo was taken that year as well. I am unable to identify the other pilot in the photo at this time.

The pilot standing next to the 104's needle is "Fish" Salmon, my dad

Hi Renne Salmon, Its me Rozie Recchia! I saw this picture online and wanted to know more about it.I saw your name and just wanted to say hello. I hope you and your family are doing well.