Steve Wittman
Encyclopedia
Sylvester Joseph "Steve" Wittman (April 5, 1904 - April 27, 1995) was an air-racer and aircraft designer and builder.
Wittman gained his pilot's license in 1924 in a Standard J-1 and built his first aircraft, the Harley powered "Hardly Abelson" later that same year.
From 1925 to 1927 he had his own flying service, giving joyrides and during this time also became a demonstration and test pilot for the The Pheasant Aircraft Company
and Dayton Aircraft Company, flying the Pheasant H-10 in multiple events. He also began his air-racing career, designing, building, and piloting his own aircraft, including Chief Oshkosh in 1931 and Bonzo in 1934.
Wittman's first race in his first aircraft design was in "Bonzo" in the 1935 Thompson Trophy
race, where he placed second.
In 1937, piloting his second homebuilt, "Chief Oshkosh"
, Wittman placed second. in the Greve Trophy Race. Wittman flew "Bonzo" in the Thompson Trophy race, and he led for the first 18 laps of the 20 lap race, at an average speed of over 275 mph (442.57 km/h). Suddenly his engine began to run rough, and Wittman was forced to throttle back to remain in the race, finishing in 5th place. In 1938, he was awarded the Louis Blériot medal by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
(FAI).
Also in 1937, Wittman designed and built "Buttercup"
. A high wing design built to outperform the Cubs, Chiefs, T-Crafts, and Luscombes of the day. Based on that aircraft, he built the Wittman Big X in 1945, and the popular Wittman Tailwind
series of homebuilts.
During World War II
his Wittman Flying Service was part of the Civilian Pilot Training Program
, training pilots for the Army Air Corps
.
After the war, Wittman finished eighth in the 1946 Thompson Trophy race with a clipped wing Bell P-63 Kingcobra
fighter. In 1947 Bill Brennand won the inaugural Goodyear class race at the National Air Races
piloting Wittman's 'Buster'. 'Buster' was a rebuild of the pre-war "Chief Oshkosh," went on to win many more Goodyear/Continental Trophy races, and was retired after the 1954 Danville, New York air races. It is now on display at the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC.
Wittman built an entirely new 'Bonzo' for the 1948 National Air Races, and flying it himself, finished third. Wittman raced 'Bonzo' through the 1950s and 1960s, including the first few Reno National Championship air races, before retiring from Formula One
competition in 1973. 'Bonzo' is now displayed next to Wittman's prewar 'Bonzo' in the EAA AirVenture Museum
along with several other Wittman airplanes.
Wittman was manager of the Oshkosh, Wisconsin
airport from 1931 to 1969 - which is now named after him (Wittman Regional Airport
). Wittman became involved in the newly-formed Experimental Aircraft Association
in 1953 and was instrumental in bringing the EAA's annual fly-in to the Oshkosh Airport in 1970.
He designed and built the Wittman V-Witt to compete in the new Formula V Air Racing
class. He competed in races with that aircraft until 1979. Winners of the Formula V National Championship are presented with the Steve Wittman Trophy.
Wittman remained active in aviation his entire life. For Wittman's 90th birthday a celebration, Wittman demonstrated aerobatic maneuvers in his V-Witt and Oldsmobile powered Tailwind. He also used "buttercup" to give Young Eagles
flights. Letters of appreciation were given by President Bill Clinton
and Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson
.
Steve married Dorthy Rady in 1941. He taught her to fly and she accompanied him to most of his races. Dorthy died in 1991 and Wittman married Paula Muirin in 1992. On April 27, 1995, Wittman and Muirin took off for a routine cross-country flight from their winter home in Ocala, Florida
to their summer home in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
. The Wittman "O&O" N41SW (41 for 1941, year of his first marriage, plus SW, his initials) crashed five miles south of Stevenson Alabama, killing both Steve and Paula. http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/GenPDF.asp?id=ATL95FA092&rpt=fa
Wittman gained his pilot's license in 1924 in a Standard J-1 and built his first aircraft, the Harley powered "Hardly Abelson" later that same year.
From 1925 to 1927 he had his own flying service, giving joyrides and during this time also became a demonstration and test pilot for the The Pheasant Aircraft Company
The Pheasant Aircraft Company
The Pheasant Aircraft Company was an American aircraft manufacturer.In 1927, flight school operator Lee R. Briggs had mobilized Memphis, Missouri community members to incorporate a company for aircraft production. The first aircraft was a three-seater designed by Orville Hickman. Production...
and Dayton Aircraft Company, flying the Pheasant H-10 in multiple events. He also began his air-racing career, designing, building, and piloting his own aircraft, including Chief Oshkosh in 1931 and Bonzo in 1934.
Wittman's first race in his first aircraft design was in "Bonzo" in the 1935 Thompson Trophy
Thompson trophy
The Thompson Trophy race was one of the National Air Races of the heyday of early airplane racing in the 1930s. Established in 1929, the last race was held in 1961. The race was long with pylons marking the turns, and emphasized low altitude flying and maneuverability at high speeds...
race, where he placed second.
In 1937, piloting his second homebuilt, "Chief Oshkosh"
Wittman Chief Oshkosh
-External links:*...
, Wittman placed second. in the Greve Trophy Race. Wittman flew "Bonzo" in the Thompson Trophy race, and he led for the first 18 laps of the 20 lap race, at an average speed of over 275 mph (442.57 km/h). Suddenly his engine began to run rough, and Wittman was forced to throttle back to remain in the race, finishing in 5th place. In 1938, he was awarded the Louis Blériot medal by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautics and astronautics world records. Its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. This includes man-carrying aerospace vehicles from balloons to spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles...
(FAI).
Also in 1937, Wittman designed and built "Buttercup"
Wittman Buttercup
- External links :* * *...
. A high wing design built to outperform the Cubs, Chiefs, T-Crafts, and Luscombes of the day. Based on that aircraft, he built the Wittman Big X in 1945, and the popular Wittman Tailwind
Wittman Tailwind
|- References :* * Wittman Buttercup-External links:*...
series of homebuilts.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
his Wittman Flying Service was part of the Civilian Pilot Training Program
Civilian Pilot Training Program
The Civilian Pilot Training Program was a flight training program sponsored by the United States government with the stated purpose of increasing the number of civilian pilots, though having a clear impact on military preparedness....
, training pilots for the Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
.
After the war, Wittman finished eighth in the 1946 Thompson Trophy race with a clipped wing Bell P-63 Kingcobra
P-63 Kingcobra
The Bell P-63 Kingcobra was a United States fighter aircraft developed in World War II from the Bell P-39 Airacobra in an attempt to correct that aircraft's deficiencies...
fighter. In 1947 Bill Brennand won the inaugural Goodyear class race at the National Air Races
National Air Races
The National Air Races were a series of pylon and cross-country races that took place in the United States from 1920 to 1949. The science of aviation, and the speed and reliability of aircraft and engines grew rapidly during this period; the National Air Races were both a proving ground and...
piloting Wittman's 'Buster'. 'Buster' was a rebuild of the pre-war "Chief Oshkosh," went on to win many more Goodyear/Continental Trophy races, and was retired after the 1954 Danville, New York air races. It is now on display at the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC.
Wittman built an entirely new 'Bonzo' for the 1948 National Air Races, and flying it himself, finished third. Wittman raced 'Bonzo' through the 1950s and 1960s, including the first few Reno National Championship air races, before retiring from Formula One
Formula One Air Racing
Formula One Air Racing is an American motorsport that involves small aircraft using engines up to 200 cubic inches in displacement. Racers can reach speeds over 200 mph.- History :...
competition in 1973. 'Bonzo' is now displayed next to Wittman's prewar 'Bonzo' in the EAA AirVenture Museum
EAA AirVenture Museum
The EAA AirVenture Museum is a museum dedicated to the preservation and display of historical and experimental aircraft located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin adjacent to the Wittman Regional Airport. Paul Poberezny proposed the idea of the EAA Air Museum-Air Education center in August 1958. The current...
along with several other Wittman airplanes.
Wittman was manager of the Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile . There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile...
airport from 1931 to 1969 - which is now named after him (Wittman Regional Airport
Wittman Regional Airport
Wittman Regional Airport is a public airport located two miles south of the central business district of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States. The airport is owned and operated by Winnebago County. Wittman Field, as it sometimes called, is used almost exclusively for general aviation, but has...
). Wittman became involved in the newly-formed Experimental Aircraft Association
Experimental Aircraft Association
The Experimental Aircraft Association is an international organization of aviation enthusiasts based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Since its inception it has grown internationally with over 160,000 members and about 1,000 chapters worldwide....
in 1953 and was instrumental in bringing the EAA's annual fly-in to the Oshkosh Airport in 1970.
He designed and built the Wittman V-Witt to compete in the new Formula V Air Racing
Formula V Air Racing
Formula V Air Racing is an American motorsport that involves small aircraft using engines up to 100 cubic inches in displacement.- History :The proposal for Formula V has its roots in the 1964 Reno Air Races....
class. He competed in races with that aircraft until 1979. Winners of the Formula V National Championship are presented with the Steve Wittman Trophy.
Wittman remained active in aviation his entire life. For Wittman's 90th birthday a celebration, Wittman demonstrated aerobatic maneuvers in his V-Witt and Oldsmobile powered Tailwind. He also used "buttercup" to give Young Eagles
Young Eagles
Young Eagles is a program created by the US Experimental Aircraft Association designed to give children between the ages of 8 to 17 an opportunity to experience flight in a general aviation airplane while educating children about aviation. This program is offered free of charge with donations and...
flights. Letters of appreciation were given by President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson
Tommy Thompson
Thomas George "Tommy" Thompson , a United States Republican politician, was the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin, after which he served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Thompson was a candidate for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, but dropped out early after a poor performance in polls...
.
Steve married Dorthy Rady in 1941. He taught her to fly and she accompanied him to most of his races. Dorthy died in 1991 and Wittman married Paula Muirin in 1992. On April 27, 1995, Wittman and Muirin took off for a routine cross-country flight from their winter home in Ocala, Florida
Ocala, Florida
Ocala is a city in Marion County, Florida. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 53,491. It is the county seat of Marion County, and the principal city of the Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated 2007 population of 324,857.-History:Ocala...
to their summer home in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile . There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile...
. The Wittman "O&O" N41SW (41 for 1941, year of his first marriage, plus SW, his initials) crashed five miles south of Stevenson Alabama, killing both Steve and Paula. http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/GenPDF.asp?id=ATL95FA092&rpt=fa
Wittman Designed Aircraft
- Wittman Hardley Ableson
- Wittman Chief OshkoshWittman Chief Oshkosh-External links:*...
- Wittman D-12 Bonzo
- Wittman DFA "Little Bonzo"Wittman DFA|-See also:-External links:*...
- Wittman ButtercupWittman Buttercup- External links :* * *...
- Wittman Big X
- Wittman TailwindWittman Tailwind|- References :* * Wittman Buttercup-External links:*...
- Wittman V-Witt