(1906-11-22)November 22, 1906 Rankin, Tennessee, U.S.
Died
September 18, 1976(1976-09-18) (aged 69)
Place of burial
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance
United States of America
Service/branch
United States Air Force
Years of service
1927–1957
Rank
Major general
Commands held
Chief of Flight Section, Wright-Patterson AFB Commander, Experimental Test Pilot School Commander, USAF Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB Commander, Wright Air Development Center Deputy Commander, Weapons System Headquarters, ARDC
Awards
Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Distinguished Service Medal
Albert G Boyd (November 22, 1906[1] – September 18, 1976) was a pioneering test pilot for the United States Air Force (USAF). During his 30-year career, he logged more than 23,000 hours of flight time in 723 military aircraft (though this number of the total number flown includes variants and sub variants of some types, and is not 723 distinct types). When he retired in 1957, he had flown every aircraft type operated by the USAF, including attack, cargo, trainer, fighter, experimental, bomber, mission trainer, liaison, observation, and general aviation planes and helicopters.
From 1947 to 1957, Boyd flew and approved every aircraft type acquired by the USAF. When he retired, he was praised as the "Father of Modern Flight Testing," "World's Number One Test Pilot," "Dean of American Test Pilots" and "Father of USAF Test Pilots."
His assignments included:
Chief of Flight Section at Wright-Patterson AFB
Commander of Experimental Test Pilot School
First commander of USAF Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base
Commander of Wright Air Development Center (Maj. Chuck Yeager, a test pilot in his command, was the first American pilot to test the MiG-15, associated with Operation Moolah.)
Deputy commander of Weapons System Headquarters, Air Research and Development Command
Commanding general of Edwards AFB
The prototype Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, modified as a racer and designated P-80R,[2] was piloted by Colonel Boyd to 623.73 mph (1,004.2 km/h) on 19 June 1947. This was recognised as an official air speed record, although this speed had already been exceeded by the Me 163 and Me 262 in 1944.[3]
Boyd led the newly formed Air Force's X-1 supersonic flight program and made the selection of Chuck Yeager to pilot the plane.[4]: 98 Yeager described Boyd as a strict disciplinarian who would enforce (often with a very loud voice) USAF uniform regulations. He remarked that "You might be his star pilot, but Lord help you if you came before him in his office with an un-shined belt buckle". Boyd was highly respected by his subordinates.
Boyd died on September 18, 1976. He and his wife Anna Lu (1907–1981) are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[5]
^Fogerty, Robert P. (1953). "Biographical Data on Air Force General Officers, 1917-1952, Volume 1 – A thru L" (PDF). Air Force Historical Research Agency. pp. 202–204. USAF historical studies: no. 91. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
^"P-80 Shooting Star/44-85200." Archived 2015-01-12 at the Wayback Machine National Museum of the USAF. Retrieved: 9 October 2012.
^Francillon 1982, pp. 241–242
^Yeager, Chuck; Janos, Leo (1985). Yeager, An Autobiography. ISBN 9780553050936.
^Burial Detail: Boyd, Albert (Section 11, Grave 773-1) – ANC Explorer
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of repaired aircraft, which brought him under the command of Colonel AlbertBoyd, head of the Aeronautical Systems Flight Test Division. Yeager remained...
club's landing strip. After he assumed command at the base, General AlbertBoyd, an admirer and friend of Barnes, would berate her if her clientele came...
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(1966) Charles Bolden (2017) Richard Bong (1986) Frank Borman (1982) AlbertBoyd (1984) Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (2019) Walter J. Boyne (2007) Mark E...
Chuck Yeager and Captain Harold "Tom" Collins, led by Major General AlbertBoyd, the commander of the Wright Air Development Center. Major Yeager later...
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Later came ceramic painting and sculpture. Although Boyd was the closest of friends with Albert Tucker, Joy Hester and Sidney Nolan and the art patrons...
Delia, John, Helen, David, Ann, Albert Barthalomew, Peter, James, Margaret, William, Nancy, Alexander, and Hugh. Boyd moved to Middleburgh, Schoharie...
manhunts, and captures. Edwin Boyd had committed a variety of crimes in his youth and served time in Saskatchewan's Prince Albert Penitentiary at the age of...
similar manner, General Banner's character was based on Major General AlbertBoyd, the first Commander of the USAF Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB. Toward...
was raised in Kingston, Mississippi. She is the great-granddaughter of AlbertBoyd Sojourner, who was in the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1916...
lest it fall into Soviet hands. September 18 – The legendary test pilot AlbertBoyd dies. September 19 – During a night approach to a landing at Antalya...
Global Information
United States of America
United States Air Force
Major general