Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Lowery Lawson Brabham 1906-1981



XR-12
XP-72
XP-47

Born in Troy, Alabama in June, 1906, Lowery Lawson Brabham learned to fly in 1930. He was Chief pilot of Montgomery School of Aeronautics until commissioned in U.S. Army Air Corps, 1932. He was recommended to industry as the most qualified test pilot for high altitude fighter program. He Joined Republic Aviation Corporation as test pilot in 1940.



While chief test pilot performed initial flight test in many aircraft, including the XP-47 Thunderbolt, XP-72 and XR-12 Rainbow. Recognized as outstanding pioneer in the art of engineering flight tests. Retired as Vice President, Sales, Republic Aviation in 1964.