Tony LeVier was a legendary test pilot well known across the world in the aviation community.    He was one of the primary test pilot's on the P-38 Lighting and bought a surplus Lightning after WWII for $1,250.   He painted his P-38 bright red and flew it in air races for many years.    LeVier was a primary test pilot in the fledgling jet era test piloting the P-80 Shooting Star which went on to become a primary fighter aircraft of the U.S. Forces.   LeVier was highly respected in the worldwide aviation community and would go to other countries to assist in demonstrating various aircraft.  He continued to be a test pilot and perform in air races well into his old age.   LeVier is one of the few test pilots throughout the "Golden Years of Aviation" to be a civilian.   Most test pilots then and now are ex-military pilots looking to continue their aviation career after leaving the military or they are in the military currently on assignment to test fly whatever aircraft they are testing.   LeVier is one of the few, without a formal education, that worked his way up through hard work and determination.  He worked odd jobs and as an aircraft mechanic, continuing to work hard and impress his superiors.  His determination paid off and LeVier was finally promoted to the title of "Engineer Aircraft Test Pilot", a title he had strived to achieve his entire life.   Once he was promoted to test pilot,  an opportunity came up at Lockheed for a test pilot position and LeVier took the opportunity.   He relocated back to California and his career really took off test piloting some of the most important military aircraft in history including the U-2.  LeVier was one of the first pilots to fly the U-2.  He was also was of the first pilots to take the controls of an F-104 Starfighter, test piloting the aircraft on it's first flights.   LeVier became one of the primary test pilots for Lockheed's famous "Skunkworks" for 30+ years and flew some of the most top secret aircraft ever created.  LeVier survived eight aircraft crashes during his lifetime but had broken his back in a horrific crash,  only to be so determined, and through sheer will,  he was back flying aircraft within six months.  That's the type of man Tony LeVier was.  He was absolutely THE REAL DEAL when it came to God, Country, and helping his fellow man.   Principles that have seemed to slip away over the years.

My mother was a WASP and said the P38 was her favorite aircraft. She was one of the few WASPs that was certified for night flying. She told me of flying a 38 with the command radio set over Texas. Said the moon was so bright she could read her maps with out a flashlight. Tuned to dance music on the radio and munched on the apples she stashed in her pockets before takeoff. She also signed the stick or yolk of every plane she ferried. Has 3 Vmails from Europe from the pilots that got her plane. She is still going strong at 102.



Edit   Mom Passed on July 22, 2019 in her sleep. She made it to 103.

My dad and I are currently restoring a G model, it's been an experience of a life time. He's owned this since 1967 and wanted to see it flying before he passes away. 3 years now non stop as we should be ready by September

I now better understand why we are a free country....American  heroes were not in shortage....thank you gentlemen for your service and sacrifice, we are forever a grateful nation....God bless all of you !!!

MY INSTRUCTOR  IN  ARMY AVIATION WAS A RESERVIST CALLED UP FOR THE KOREAN WAR. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO TEACH  ARMY  OFFICERS  HOW TO FLY THE ARMY  RECON PLANE.  BUT HE HAD BEEN  FIGHTER PILOT IN WW2 AND  FLEW  P-38S.  HE SAID STATIONED IN  NO AFRICA AND WOULD FLY ACROSS MEDITERRANEAN  AND ATTACK.  HE SAID NO MATTER WHAT MISTAKE YOU MADE IN IT IT HAD SO MUCH POWER  YOU WOULD JUST PUSH THROTTLE  FULL OPEN AND YOU'D  BE FINE.  HE WAS SCARED SILLY OF OUR TINY PIPER CUB ARMY PLANE

This has got to be the most well done show about the air war , ever done. I could listen to these guys all night ❤😮

they always talk about how the prototype P38 was lost in a crash after the cross-country record was broken; they never talk about how the P 38 was lost in the crash because it got there so quickly that nobody was ready for its arrival.

But when you witnessed it first hand, and you know that we’re not the only ones here where the crazy ones

Holy shit… landing in an enemy field in the middle of battle to pick up a downed pilot!
That is mind-boggling!
His heart must be bigger than his balls!

Thank you for service and your family supporting you all thru the years. Your service to our nation and to our flag. Thank you

This documentary is now 30 years old, and sadly, most of these incredible men are no longer with us. This is a treasure to have recorded for posterity. Grateful.

God bless everyone of these men.  They are the type of men that makes America great.

Freedom...can be lost, like sand through our hands.

The sad thing is the people in this world just ain’t really ready for the truth so you can’t blame the governments for not wanting to tell

To the greatest generation,  thank you for your service.

And now look at us. Oh the shame is more than I can bare..!

America's greatest generation !!! They put
The world back right with their courage and bravely & sticktoitness.....❤

It is amazing to think that it was just 20 years from WW1 bi planes to THIS!  Just listening to the designers and test pilots of this plane is incredible.

My dad fought in a U.S. infantry division in North Africa in WW2. He almost never talked about his combat experiences, but one day he noticed that I had built a P-38 model, and he said, “The P-38 flew ground support for us against Rommel’s Afrika Korps. I can’t count the number of times that plane saved my life.”

My grandfather was John Aaron Berry, engineered the airbrake system for the P38 lighting, Pacific Arena,  Flew with Pappy and Bong!
He's in the history books, an ace who never got credit.