The Lonely Sky

[Speedy]

So again I've been delving into my box 'o books to find reading material to pass the time. This time I came up with "The Lonely Sky" by Bill Bridgeman, about testing the D-558-II Skyrocket. I hadn't read this book in a good 10 years or more, and I quite literally finished it in two days because I couldn't stop reading.

Written in 1955, it is like you took a huge magnifying glass and opened up sections of Tom Wolff's The Right Stuff. Amazing detail about test flying at Edwards in the late 40's and early 50's that makes you feel like you're right there. And it puts another certain test pilot's autobiography to shame. A lot of the same events from different sides of the story...but obviously written at a different time in history for a different purpose.

I was going to read The Right Stuff next, but decided that if I did, I'd only be disappointed.

I give it two thumbs up if you can get your hands on a copy!

[Jerry O'Neill]

It is a great book. Bill Bridgemen does a great job telling it like it was.
I've got a first edition of it.
i may just have to re-read it again soon.
Jerry

[bipe215]

One of my favorite books from a great era. I like his descriptions of Yeager, especially when Chuck shaded Bridgeman's windscreen while flying chase. He died much to early. In a Widgeon or Goose???

Steve G

[gregv]

Thanks for the book suggestion, sounds like a good read. Lots of copies on Alibris; I just got a 1987 paperback for $1.55 plus shipping.
thanks!

greg v.

[Speedy]

like his descriptions of Yeager, especially when Chuck shaded Bridgeman's windscreen while flying chase.

I have to admit, after many years of being jaded by the esteemed General's behavior in the more recent past, I had to take a step back and realize 'what it was' back then, that Bridgeman, Yeager, and Everest were members of a very elite club....not because of ego...but because it was a brotherhood of guys who were putting their butts on the line into the unknown every day. Bridgeman's description of Yeager's attitude and behavior were refreshing in that it restored the 'okay, he wasn't always like that' belief in me.

When he was talking about how in just one year they lost something like 42 pilots in testing at Edwards...that's a little less than one per week. Staggering. So the fact that these guys were looking out for each other makes for a great story.