Did you know that Greg "Pappy" Boyington had an RV-3 toward the end of this flying career? Scouts Honor - I used to see him around FCH (Fresno Chandler Airport) back in the 80's once in a while. Up close and persona, it always looked like his eyes were "floating" in a pool of liquid, probably from his earlier, well known, exploits with Demon Rum. There were three -3's there then, and two of those three (not his) crashed and killed their pilots - not the airplane's fault, just stupid pilot tricks. Not nice to fool Mother Nature ...
HFS
Didn't he have a Midget Mustang at one time?
I was in close proximity to MajGen Bill Anders once (Apollo 8 astronaut, "Earth Rise" photo). I can't really say I've met him personally, but 'I seen 'em! I volunteer at Historic Flight Museum as a docent occasionally. He and his wife, Valerie, founded it some years ago.
Cdr William "Willie" McCool STS-107 Columbia was the Operations Officer in VAQ-132 when I was assigned there. His office was next door to my broom closet of an office.
I've also fist-bumped and got my picture taken with Bob Hoover. He was already over 90 and had a great deal of difficulty getting around.
I flew an hour with Arnold Ebeneter. At 90 years old he was still occasionally providing dual instruction in Harvey's Aeronca Champ. And, I needed a warm up in something with a tailwheel before attempting my first flight in the Sonerai I purchased from VAF's own Smokey Ray.
I flew a couple of hours with pilot Don Lee, who, in addition to being related by marriage to Don Sheldon (Wager With The Wind subject), is also a very accomplished and some might even say famous bush pilot in his own right.
I've met Patty Wagstaff several times. I didn't get to fly with her, she's always getting ready for or just getting back from airshows when I'm there. But, I have had lunch and several nice chats with her.
Met Sean Tucker at the NAS Lemoore airshow more than a few years ago. Ended up taking aerobatic instruction in one of his Pitts at the King City airport before he got the Tuitima sponsorhsip.