Charlie Terry

[Supervee]

It is very sad for me to report that Charlie Terry passed away Thursday night. FV champion Dave Patterson contacted me this morning with this news.
Charlie was larger than life, and was , In My opinion, the single most enthusiastic, important , and helpful person in the development of Formula V air racing. Charlie's unselfish contributions to the Class, and to aviation in general, were outstanding. Almost single handedly, He carved and molded the FV class in its infancy, spoon feeding the class even before Jim Vliet and Rick Leonard became large contributors within FV. Charlie and #14 'Beetlebomb' paved the way, and in no small way, promoted the Sonerai 1 to it's dominant popularity in the racing class. Always willing to make personal sacrifices to help a competitor get to the race, He was at the core of the definition of Passion for the sport.
My very sincere condolences to his family.....Thanks for your decades of friendship...Have a good trip west, Charlie......Ed Fisher

[n84tw]

What Ed posted is correct. Back in the day I was attracted to the sport by the doings of Jim Vliet, as he was the major promoter of the sport. By my my own desire I was hooked into attending at their appearance in Texas as a promotional for a lake side airstrip property development near Tyler Texas. Fog prevented my arrival and Charlie Terry banged up his S-I in the race venue. The Great Texas Air Race was the promotional video name to my remembrance. Shortly thereafter, in the year, John Inman and myself met up with Vliet in New Jersey as his guests to attend the FV Meeting where all the principals attended to organize the upcoming year's races. Then it really took off. High excitement and challenges from then on. Terry was the technical flight adviser and gave the direction and procedures for participants. After qualification flights and race heats he would offer critiques to us. Terry never stopped helping the racers. Too bad we never had a reunion with him. Of course, we all understood the risk of the business, as it was serious, and Charlie made us understand the consequences. He was one of a kind. I'll never forget him.

[Supervee]

Hi Tom, Thanks for making the comments, and welcome to the Affordable Air Racing group!.,,Ed F.

[dave]

My older brother always bought different flying magazines back in the 60's and 70's. I would steal them out of his room and read about Formula V and Formula 1 planes.

Looking back, that was what triggered me to get into flying. I remember Beetle Bomb very well along with Blueberry. Oddly enough my brother never did get his licence or build a plane.

There was another Beetle Bomb, a Formula 1 plane built on 1948 for the Cleveland races. The wings ended up on Yellow Jacket.

Dave

[Supervee]

Right, Dave....The 'original' Beetle Bomb was built , at least partially, by Mr. Anderson, from Anderson Propellor fame, I think, out of Chicago, in the 1940's... The original wings of that aircraft ended up on the 'yellow jacket',,which was partially built in Paul Poberezny's garage. Paul said the airplane was tail heavy. The Beetle Bomb, with the new wing, was then destroyed in a fatal accident, during a race, in Detroit, I believe, after the new wing failed in a turn.
Charlie Terrys 'Beetlebomb' was Very Visible in the early to mid '70s, I think it was the third Sonerai 1 to fly. It was lost in a fire. My Blueberry, #77, was the 6th Sonerai 1 to fly. Charlie and Jim Vliet Bought Blueberry from me in 1989 or so , and Groomed it into a contender before it was retired to a museum in Detroit....Ed Fisher

[cozy659]

  I was at the Great Texas Air Race  with the gang I trailered  #14 BeetleBomb.  I was  the Crew Chief for Charlie Terry. I have Not seen Jim Vilet in god knows how long. is he still around?  I remember when Rick Leonard  went down in his Jersey Devil.

   Charlie Terry was my mentor.  I have since built a Cozy 3 place  a cozy 4 place, Teenie two, helped a neighbor Build a Glassair RG. and a few long-Ez.. I did not Post  back in 2012  I was just getting Married, But the stories were great..  at the Great Texas  show  I got a chance to Fly with Deke Slayton. and Mike Brundage.   

[dmar836]

Wow. Welcome aboard. Hopefully Jim chimes in.
Wish I was there.
Dave
Kansas City