In memory of Mr. Jim Leeward

[Nathan]

First(I know I said I am leaving wix, for the most part thats true, recent events compelled me to visit)

Second(I didn't know Mr. Leeward so I hope some don't mind me starting a thread to remember Mr. Leeward. I thought it was deserving to compliment the man in view of joe publics undeserving bashings)

I did not know of Mr. Leeward that well. I heard of him and I remember seeing him a few feet from me at Thunder last year. But after some research about the man it is obvious that he was of great nature, lived every moment, and a great family man. I am very sorry to hear of his loss. I am sure that he was doing everything he could to avoid the croud. I think he saved more lives. He put others before him even after knowing he was doomed. I can't admire a man more then that. It's sad to me of his loss but also makes me feel a little proud that Mr. Leeward was a hero too. I don't think Mr. Leewards character is any different then those great pilots from ww2. So to me a hero, regardless.


I hope others can reply to this and shed some good light on Mr. Leeward. It was my hope that this thread would comfort those closer to him.

Regards,
Nathan

Oh, and...GOD BLESS MR. LEEWARD!

[Flyin Illini]

Mr. Leeward was a hell of a pilot. The battles at Thunder Over Michigan wont be the same without him.

[WIXerGreg]

Not a great picture, but...

RIP Mr. Leeward.

[lowpass]

Wow, that touches home. I forgot he flew at the show, he's buzzed me out in that field more than once and it was great every time. He'll be missed for sure.

[wingman1]

Not a great picture, but...

RIP Mr. Leeward.

High Flight by John Magee



Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunwards I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds – and done a thousand things

You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there,

I’ve chased the shouting wind along and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air,

Up, up the long delirious burning blue

I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace,

Where never lark, or even eagle, flew;

And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of god.


R.I.P Mr. Jim Leeward

[Canso42]

Flyin Illini, I had to quiz another WIXer tofind out what Jimmy flew last year at TOM but one of the best ground to air pix I got that weekend was of him flying Old Crow in support of the ground battle. I was standing on the wing of Thunderbird using a 300mm that Steve S. offered me that day.

[DaveG]

Same here, Canso...I didn't realize that was him at Thunder until yesterday. Some of the best shots I've ever taken at an airshow. His skill and control were evident and he put on a thrilling exhibition that added greatly to the re-enactment below. RIP Jimmy.

[John Kerr]

First time I met Jimmy was when he flew the EAA XP-51, 41-038, N51NA at Harlingen Air Show 1978. A great man. Photo by John R. Kerr

[mivey]

This is some great information on Mr. Leeward. It shows how accomplished he was as a pilot.

http://www.av8rdan.com/2011/09/before-a ... se-of.html

[PhantomAce08]

From Thunder Over Michigan 2010....

[bluehawk15]

John,

I didn't think I knew him, until you posted the Airsho '78 picture. I was there and remember checking out the plane after the flight line was cleared. He was nice to this question asking just-turned 20 year old.

[Ken]

I was trying to remember. Did this Old Crow come from the restoration shop with a extended dorsal fin or was it added more recently?

[hstandard4]

I was trying to remember. Did this Old Crow come from the restoration shop with a extended dorsal fin or was it added more recently?

Added after.


Was a common field mod done in WW2

For stability




Doc

[Ken]

I'm familiar with the fin, history & purpose. I should have been more specific.

There was some talk that Roush did not want the fin installed but that the FAA mandated it for safety, so it was added later. I was trying to confirm the story to see if I'm remembering that correctly.

[JohnTerrell]

I'm familiar with the fin, history & purpose. I should have been more specific.

There was some talk that Roush did not want the fin installed but that the FAA mandated it for safety, so it was added later. I was trying to confirm the story to see if I'm remembering that correctly.

One of the employees for Cal Pacific (which restored the aircraft, and fabricated the fillet) mentioned shortly after it was installed, that Roush wasn't quite happy with the yaw-characteristics of the aircraft's flight handling, and felt it would be best to have the fillet installed.