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Col.
Robert L. "Silver Fox" Stephens
Called
the "Silver Fox" because of his prematurely gray hair, he
was the first military pilot to fly the YF-12A, the Air Force's secret
titanium-skinned interceptor, and the SR-71advanced reconnaissance
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On May 1, 1965, at Edwards Air Force Base, Stephens established four world speed and altitude records in the YF-12A. He averaged 2,070 miles per hour over a 17- kilometer straight away course, then held 80,257 feet to establish a world record for sustained horizontal flight. Officially retired in 1998, the SR-71 remains the fastest and highest flying operational aircraft in the world. He was Chief of Fighter Operations at Edwards Air Force Base from 1952 - 1955. He flight-tested the YF-100A, YF-102, XY-104, X-5, X-1B, Navy F2H3, F4D, the F-94 series, F-86, F-89D, F-89H, and YF-101. A member of the International Order of Characters, Stephens was a Fellow and past president of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. He was a P-47 fighter pilot during World War ll and has been honored with the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Thompson Trophy, Flying Tiger Trophy, Federation Aeronautique International Gold Medal, Henri De La Vaulx Medal, Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement and Aerospace Walk of Honor. Stephens was born December 1, 1921 in Gilmer, Texas. Graduated from Gilmer High School and Texas A& M. He died May 21, 1984 at the age of 62. |
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For Information on the Museum and
Hours of Operation Courtesy
of Steve and Linda Kay Dean
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