Vance Breese remains one of the most interesting men of aviation’s golden age. He was brilliant, controversial, brave, and skillful as a pilot as well as a aircraft designer and consultant. His adventure began during the 1920s. After a stint as a barnstormer, he achieved success in competitive events, flew the airmail for Pacific Air Transport, and designed aircraft. The competitive events included the 1927 National Air Races and the Ford Reliability Tour.
Breese Aircraft
Vance Breese’s most successful design was the Model 5. Serial #5, known as the Aloha, was one of only two entries that successfully flew from Oakland, California to Hawaii in the 1927 Dole Race. Although the Aloha landed second behind the Woolaroc, it validated Vance’s skills as an aircraft designer. Another Breese entry in the Dole was the Pabco Flyer flown by Livingston Irving. The aircraft crashed taking off from Oakland, however.
Test Pilot
With only a sixth-grade education, Vance became a skilled technician testing prototypes and demonstrating intuitive sense about an airplane’s capabilities as it set on the tarmac. He became one of the most sought-after test pilots in the United States during the 1930s and throughout WWII.
Aircraft Companies
Just about every aeronautical company in the country hired him to fly their prototypes. He flew Northrop’s Flying Wing and Black Widow. Brewster and Curtiss hired him for dive bomber tests. Vance spent many years with Douglas as a consultant and test pilot.
His Story
Vance Breese’s biography is filled with images which document his career. The book includes his designs, test flight reports, and much information that would be lost with time if not documented. Order it here – Vance Breese – Test Pilot: Barbara H. Schultz: 9780965218184: Amazon.com: Books