|
|
|
Lockheed Test Pilot
First pilot to fly the YF-12A
Second pilot to fly the SR-71
Third pilot to fly the A-12
Chief test pilot during testing of Convair YB-58A
Author of YF-12 flight Manual
 |
 |
 |
On August 12, 2003, several members of Roadrunners Internationale attended this special occasion honoring Jim Eastham's piloting the first YF-12A flight.
Click on the images below to view enlarged images documenting
some of
Jim Eastham's record-breaking aviation feats.
November 1, 2002
Jim Eastham's Induction into Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame
|
|
|
|
|
|
YF-12
Groom Lake, Nevada and Edwards AFB
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A-12
Groom Lake, Nevada
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edwards AFB
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edwards AFB and White Sands Missile Range
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HAPPY MOMENTS WITH MY ROADRUNNER FRIENDS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The staff of the Roadrunners Internationale association regrets having to inform the aviation community of the final flight of Dutch 52, James D. "Jim" Eastham.
Jim Eastham, known in aviation circles under the Codename Dutch 52, was a legendary Lockheed test pilot known for flight-testing the world's first three Mach 3+ articles at Area 51, White Sands, NM, and Edwards AFB. He was the first pilot to fly the YF-12A (Project KEYLOCK), second pilot to fly the SR-71 (Project SENIOR CROWN), third pilot to fly the CIA's A-12 Blackbird (Project OXCART). Jim was the chief test pilot during the testing of the Convair YB-58A, and the author of the YF-12 flight manual.
James D. Eastham entered civilian pilot training in 1942. Following World War II, he served in Europe for four years and was one of the original Berlin Airlift pilots. He was also a fighter pilot during the Korean War. In 1956, Eastham joined Hughes Aircraft Company as Project Engineering Test Pilot for the Falcon Missile project, flying 800 missions and firing 350 missiles, a record for any one person. He was Hughes' B-58 Project Test pilot for the development of the ASG-18 radar system and AIM47A missile. In 1962 he joined the Lockheed California Company A-12 and YF-12A Blackbird program. On August 7, 1963, he was the first man to fly the YF-12A. Later, he moved to Edwards Air Force Base and was the second man to fly the SR-71. He flew the YF-12A through speed courses to perfect the techniques for setting the official world records in 1965. He logged 10,000 hours.
The Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame inducted Jim into that state's Hall of Fame, the Lancaster, CA Walk of Fame, and the Flight Test Historical Foundation, an elite honor society awarded Eastham the Blackbird Laurel Medallion and inducted him into the Blackbird Laurels Fraternity.
Memorial services for James D. "Jim" Eastham will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral
 |
 |
 |
