Robert Bushby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert 'Bob' Bushby
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Robert 'Bob' Bushby in 2002
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| Born | February 24, 1927 Joliet, Illinois, U.S.
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| Died | October 14, 2018 (aged 91) Joliet, Illinois, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | American |
| Alma mater | Lewis College in Lockport, IL |
| Occupation | Aircraft mechanic, designer |
| Known for | Designer of the Bushby Mustang II experimental airplane |
| Spouse(s) | Sharon Bushby |
| Children | Wesley, Paula, Sandra |
Robert Wesley Bushby (born February 24, 1927 – died October 14, 2018) was an American aircraft mechanic and pilot. He is famous for designing a special experimental airplane called the Bushby Mustang II. This plane was later known as the Mustang Aeronautics Mustang II. Robert was born in Joliet, Illinois, and started learning to fly planes when he was still in high school in Minooka, Illinois.
Contents
Robert Bushby's Early Life and Career
Bob's interest in airplanes began when he was in grade school. When he was ten years old, he had his first airplane ride in a Ford Trimotor. This was a very exciting experience for him! In 1941, his family moved to Minooka, Illinois.
Learning to Fly and Military Service
Bob flew an airplane by himself for the first time in 1943. He was flying a Piper J-3 Cub. He finished high school in 1944. During his time in the military, he went to aircraft maintenance school. This school was at Keesler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi. After that, he spent time on the island of Guam. He worked as a Flight engineer on a B-17 plane.
Becoming an Aircraft Mechanic and Pilot
In 1948, Bob graduated from Lewis College in Lockport, Illinois. He completed their aircraft maintenance course. This made him an A&E mechanic, which is now called an "A&P" mechanic. This means he was certified to work on both the airframe (body) and powerplant (engine) of airplanes. Later, he also got an Inspection Authorization rating. This allowed him to inspect aircraft for safety.
In 1950, he earned his Commercial pilot license. This meant he could fly planes for money. In 1954, he added a Multi-engine rating. This allowed him to fly planes with more than one engine. From 1955 to 1970, Bob worked for Sinclair Oil Co. in their engine research laboratory. Robert Bushby passed away on October 14, 2018, in Joliet, Illinois. He was 91 years old.
Robert Bushby and the EAA
Bob was one of the first people to help start the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in 1953. He was EAA member number 26, which shows how early he joined! He was also Technical Counselor number 20. This means he helped other people who were building their own airplanes.
Bob went to every EAA national convention from 1953 all the way through 2016. That's a lot of conventions! He was an early member of EAA Chapter 15. In 1956, he helped create EAA Chapter 95. Later, he also helped start EAA Chapter 260. For 25 years, he led workshops about building metal airplanes. These workshops were at the EAA fly-ins in Rockford and Oshkosh.
The Famous Mustang Airplanes
Bob Bushby is most famous for his Mustang airplanes. He worked on his first prototype (test version) of the Midget Mustang in January 1953. He built his own Midget Mustang, which was registered as N15J. He flew it for the first time on September 9, 1959.
Selling Plans and Designing the Mustang II
In 1959, Bob bought the rights to the Midget Mustang design. This allowed him to sell the plans for the M-I to other people. He even built six Midget Mustang aircraft himself in San Antonio, Texas.
In 1963, he started working on a new design. This new plane would be a two-seater version based on the Midget Mustang. This became the Mustang II. In 1965, the very first Mustang II (N1117M) was brought to the EAA convention in Rockford. It was brought by trailer because it wasn't quite ready to fly yet. In 1966, the prototype was finally flown to the convention.
For the next 26 years, Bob's company, Bushby Aeronautics, sold plans and kits for the Mustang II. In March 1992, another company called Mustang Aeronautics, Inc. bought the design rights from Robert Bushby for both the Midget Mustang and Mustang II aircraft. At the Homebuilder's Dinner at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2016, Bob received special recognition. This was to celebrate 50 successful years of his Mustang II design flying in the skies!
Awards and Recognitions
Robert Bushby received many awards for his work in aviation:
- 1966 - Outstanding Design award (Third place) for his Mustang II
- 1967 - August Raspet award
- 1973 - August Raspet award
- 1986 - Stan Dzik award
- 1992 - Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award
- 2005 - Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
- 2016 - Special recognition for his Mustang II design flying for 50 years
