Gone West: Sue Parish

[BK]

I remember Tullahoma '79, all the guys were making low passes during the Warbird part of the show, Sue was pulling up and doing aileron rolls. Grandma outflying the guys!

Steve G

I also attended the Tullahoma Fly-in. As someone said the pink P-40 stood out among the other warbirds. This was the first time I had really seen warbirds in person as the military airshows in my hometown were all jets (not that there's anything wrong with that). Somewhere I have photos I took with a cheap camera.

Obviously, it had a big impact on me, here I am 30 years later still enamored with planes and pilots. Thanks to Sue and the other guys that flew that day.

[mustangdriver]

Very very sad. A true legend.

[P51Mstg]

Met her back in Kalamazoo in 1982.... She was shooting touch and goes in the P-40. She was kind enough to chat with me. We talked on and off over the years. She was a sweet lady and in her day I believe she was the Corporate Pilot for UpJohn Pharm... At that time she would have been one of the few, if not the first female corp pilot for anyone. Simply one hell of a woman. We'll all miss her.

Mark H

[hang the expense]

A very sad day.RIP

[John Ceglarek]

Rest in peace Sue.

[GARY HILTON]

There goes another Hero...RIP Sue..

[Warbird Kid]

Blue Skies Sue. Truly one of the most famous contemporary female Warbird pilots there ever were.

[Django]

Godspeed...

Wish I had the opportunity to meet her. She sounds like a neat lady.

[bluehawk15]

That really sums her up very well, a neat lady!

[kalamazookid]

Here's a link to the story the Kalamazoo Gazette ran today, complete with a couple photos:

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/05/well-known_aviator_and_air_zoo.html

[mustangdriver]

Is her T-34 at the Air Zoo as well? That is a wonderful museum that she was a part of starting.

[Chunks]

As I recall, she insisted it was desert tan, not pink...fond memories...

Chunks

[John Ceglarek]

Yes, the Airzoo has Sue's T-34, as well as her P-40 and an AT-6 that also has the WASP emblem on it.

John

[Pat Carry]

I remember seeing Sue fly the P-40 at Oshkosh in the late 80's. God's speed.

[Steve]

Sad to hear. She was in a class of her own.

Steve