ALABAMA AVIATION HALL OF FAME
LOWERY LAWSON BRABHAM
The late Lowery Lawson Braham, better known as Larry, was born in Troy, Alabama,June 23, 906. He grew up in Bullock County and attended school in Union Springs.He saw his first airplane at close range at the age of 10, when a World War I training plane crashed near Union Springs. So began his interest in aviation.Upon graduation from high school, he took employment with the Alabama State Highway Department with two aims: first, to become a civil engineer through on-the-job training; and, second, to use the money earned to purchase flying lessons at the going price of $48. 00 per hour. He qualified as a project engineer in four years; but due to limited funds, it took five years to become a qualified pilot. His pilot's license number 14444 was issued in march 1930.
He resigned his position with the highway department to devote full time to his aviation career. He became Chief Pilot of Montgomery School of Aeronautics where he taught many people to fly. He also barnstormed throughout the southeast, taking thousands for their first airplane ride,In 1932 he passed the required ground and flight tests and was commissioned as a pilot in the Army Air Corps. In order to serve on extended active duty in the army air corps, one hadTo be a graduate of the air corps advanced flying school. This one year ground school and flying requirement was completed in three months, after which he was ordered to extended active duty as a pursuit pilot.While on active duty with the Air Corps, Larry Brabham flew more than fifty different aircraft types. One of his assignments involved one of the first types equipped with a turbo supercharger. He became one of the most experienced pilots in high altitude research.
About this time in aviation history, Republic Aviation Corporation was designing the XP-47 Thunderbolt which was to be turbo-charged. They began searching for a pilot qualified to do the prototype testing. Republic contacted the Army Air Corps who recommended Larry Brabham for the task. After being assured that there was little chance of the United States getting into the war brewing in Europe, Brabham resigned his commission to accept employment with Republic Aviation Corporation on August 1, 1940. Thus began a brilliant test pilot career, as Chief Test Pilot for Republic Aircraft, he performed the first and many of the subsequent test flights in such famous aircraft as the great P-47 "Thunderbolt" of World War II fame.
He resigned his position with the highway department to devote full time to his aviation career. He became Chief Pilot of Montgomery School of Aeronautics where he taught many people to fly. He also barnstormed throughout the southeast, taking thousands for their first airplane ride,In 1932 he passed the required ground and flight tests and was commissioned as a pilot in the Army Air Corps. In order to serve on extended active duty in the army air corps, one hadTo be a graduate of the air corps advanced flying school. This one year ground school and flying requirement was completed in three months, after which he was ordered to extended active duty as a pursuit pilot.While on active duty with the Air Corps, Larry Brabham flew more than fifty different aircraft types. One of his assignments involved one of the first types equipped with a turbo supercharger. He became one of the most experienced pilots in high altitude research.
About this time in aviation history, Republic Aviation Corporation was designing the XP-47 Thunderbolt which was to be turbo-charged. They began searching for a pilot qualified to do the prototype testing. Republic contacted the Army Air Corps who recommended Larry Brabham for the task. After being assured that there was little chance of the United States getting into the war brewing in Europe, Brabham resigned his commission to accept employment with Republic Aviation Corporation on August 1, 1940. Thus began a brilliant test pilot career, as Chief Test Pilot for Republic Aircraft, he performed the first and many of the subsequent test flights in such famous aircraft as the great P-47 "Thunderbolt" of World War II fame.
During World War II, he traveled into every combat theatre where the "Thunderbolt" operated -- England, North Africa, Italy, New Guinea, and elsewhere - as expert observer and company liaison representative with the combat forces. Thunderbolts flew 546, 000 combat sorties, destroyed or damaged 11, 874 enemy planes, 9, 000 locomotives, 160, 000 other units of motorized military equipment and countless other enemy implements of war.On a similar mission, Larry traveled to Korea during action there to observe the republic F-84 Thunderjets in action.
During World War II, while testing the XP-47J, a speed of 504 mph was attained in level flight. This was the first airplane to exceed 500 mph. This did not become a world speed record because of military security. No propeller driven aircraft has ever exceeded this speed.Brabham was also responsible for the flight testing of the republic XF-12 "Rainbow, " the world's first 450 mph four-engine transport plane. This airplane was years ahead of its time and its performance was only exceeded by jet transports.While director of engineering flight tests at Republic Aviation, Larry became a world recognized authority on flight procedures for turbo-charged engines. He pioneered high altitude test procedures.
Brabham was later Vice President for sales of Republic Aviation. He retired from that position and returned to his native Alabama in 1964.This outstanding and dedicated test pilot was an able executive, an inspiration to fellow workers, and a credit to his home state. We proudly recognize the achievements of Lowery Lawson Brabham.
During World War II, while testing the XP-47J, a speed of 504 mph was attained in level flight. This was the first airplane to exceed 500 mph. This did not become a world speed record because of military security. No propeller driven aircraft has ever exceeded this speed.Brabham was also responsible for the flight testing of the republic XF-12 "Rainbow, " the world's first 450 mph four-engine transport plane. This airplane was years ahead of its time and its performance was only exceeded by jet transports.While director of engineering flight tests at Republic Aviation, Larry became a world recognized authority on flight procedures for turbo-charged engines. He pioneered high altitude test procedures.
Brabham was later Vice President for sales of Republic Aviation. He retired from that position and returned to his native Alabama in 1964.This outstanding and dedicated test pilot was an able executive, an inspiration to fellow workers, and a credit to his home state. We proudly recognize the achievements of Lowery Lawson Brabham.
