Bob Hoover flying

Found this clip about Bob Hoover at a fascinating Russian language site devoted to aviation feats and technology. For me it is one of the most amazing videos I’ve ever seen (especially the bit about pouring the ice tea). Talk about having The Right Stuff.

The understated BBC voiceover narration, and gentlemanly demeanor of Hoover himself are so incongruous to today’s “extreme” media culture. If you produced this for TV today someone would be shouting at you through the whole stunt.