Howard W.'Sam' Nelson 1924-1977

Fairchild-Republic chief test pilot Howard W. "Sam" Nelson on May 10, 1972 at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. Five years later, on June 3, 1977, he died in the crash of U.S. Army A-10 during air display at Le Bourget Air Show

 Howard Nelson had more than 10,000 hours flying time and had flown the F-80,F-100,F-102,F-105 and F-106.