Guy M. Townsend
Encyclopedia
Guy Mannering Townsend III (October 25, 1920 – March 28, 2011) was a retired United States Air Force
Brigadier General
, test pilot
, and combat veteran. As an Air Force officer, he served as chief of bomber test at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
, flew as co-pilot on the first flight of the B-52 Stratofortress
, was test force director for the XB-70 Valkyrie
, and served as program director for the C-5 Galaxy
and B-1 Lancer
. He was the first military pilot to fly the B-47 Stratojet
, B-50 Superfortress
, B-52 Stratofortress, and the prototype of the KC-135 Stratotanker
. During his years at Boeing
, he was the head of the Supersonic Transport
operations organization.
in 1920 and graduated from San Jacinto High School in Houston, Texas
in June 1939. He attended Texas A&M University
in College Station, Texas
where he studied aeronautical engineering
from September 1939 to June 1941.
in October 1941. He received pilot training at Ontario, California
and Victorville, California
and was commissioned a second lieutenant in May 1942. During World War II
, Townsend flew 450 combat hours in B-17s and B-29
s in the Pacific Theater of Operations
. He returned home in October 1945 to serve for three years as pilot and flight test officer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio
. Promoted to major, he attended the Flight Performance School (later renamed the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
) and graduated with Class 46F. Townsend demonstrated how the B-29 could be flown to 40,000 feet, well above its intended service ceiling. In 1948, he was promoted to chief of bomber test and served in this capacity for his remaining three years at Wright-Patterson. In 1951, he was assigned to the Air Force Flight Test Center
(AFFTC) at Edwards Air Force Base
in California, although his duties kept him primarily at Boeing in Seattle, Washington
.
In July 1948, Major Townsend started as the lead military pilot for the Air Force evaluation of the Boeing B-47 jet bomber. A result of B-47's sleek design, the aircraft required a high landing speed and an excessively long distance to stop. Townsend suggested the addition of a parachute, deployed shortly before touch-down, to shorten the landing distance. Equally dangerous, landing at a reduced engine power setting left the pilot unable to quickly command additional thrust due to the slow acceleration characteristics of early jet engines. A fellow B-47 test pilot, Major Russell E. Schleeh, proposed a second parachute, deployed while in the landing pattern
, to permit a higher engine power setting during the approach.
The prototype B-47's long, swept wing was prone to twisting during roll maneuvers which caused a dangerous behavior known as aileron reversal
to occur at airspeeds lower than expected. Based on experience with earlier aircraft, Townsend proposed the use of spoiler ailerons on the B-47 to reduce this unwanted behavior. The use of spoiler ailerons to reduce wing twisting was first tested on the B-47, and although not used on production B-47s, became standard issue for lateral control on many later jets.
Although the B-47 held great promise, the Air Force was not particularly interested in the aircraft as its capabilities exceeded those specified for a medium bomber and fell short of those specified for a heavy bomber. Colonel Henry E. "Pete" Warden of Wright Field wanted to convince the head of the Air Force's Bomber Production, Major General K. B. Wolfe, of the merits of the B-47. He persuaded Wolfe to take a trial flight with Townsend, who put on a spectacular demonstration. After the flight, Wolfe was convinced and lent his support to the new bomber. Boeing eventually built over two thousand B-47s, more than any other United States bomber manufactured under peacetime conditions.
Townsend transitioned to the B-52 program, an aircraft General Nathan Twining
called "the long rifle of the air age." He participated with contractor pilots in Phase I and conducted Phases II and IV. At the time, the Air Force divided aircraft testing into seven numbered phases including: Phase 1, to determine contractor compliance with the aircraft held to 80% of design limits; Phase II, similar to Phase I but performed by Air Force pilots; and Phase IV, performance and stability testing that expanded the flight envelope to 100% of design limits.
On April 15, 1952, Boeing pilot "Tex" Johnston
and co-pilot Lt. Col.
Guy Townsend flew the first flight of the YB-52 prototype. The flight from Boeing Field
to Moses Lake Army Air Base
(later renamed Larson Air Force Base) near Moses Lake, Washington
lasted two hours and fifty-one minutes. At the time, this was the longest and most successful first flight in Boeing history. The pilots reported only relatively minor problems that were quickly corrected by Boeing engineers.
In 1955, Townsend left flight test for a time when was assigned as the deputy director of operations (later director of materiel) of the 93rd Bomb Wing at Castle Air Force Base
in central California. The 93rd was the first wing to receive B-52 and KC-135 type aircraft. In January 1957, Townsend was deputy commander for Operation Power Flite
, a group of three B-52Bs that made a nonstop flight around the world in 45 hours with several in-flight refuelings. Unfortunately, the refueling receptacle on Townsend's B-52, La Vittoria, froze solid forcing him to abort to Goose Bay Air Base
in Labrador
. The 93rd Bomb Wing received the Mackay Trophy
for their accomplishment. In February 1958, Townsend reported to the Directorate of Operations in the headquarters of Strategic Air Command
at Offutt Air Force Base
, Nebraska as deputy chief of the Requirements Division. In less than a year, he was named chief of the Requirements Division.
Townsend returned to the AFFTC in March 1962 as the test force director of the XB-70 Valkyrie program. In December 1963 he became the center's director of flight test and in July 1964 the deputy for systems test. Promoted to Brigadier General, Townsend was assigned in September 1965 as director of the C-5 Galaxy system program office at the Aeronautical Systems Division
of Air Force Systems Command
located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. In July 1968, he was assigned as deputy for systems management and in November 1969 as the systems program director of the B-1 Lancer program. Townsend retired from the Air Force on October 1, 1970.
, the YC-14
, the Microwave Landing System
, and the B-2 Spirit
. Townsend retired from Boeing in 1986.
Townsend and his wife Ann lived in the Covenant Shores community on Mercer Island, Washington
.
Guy Mannering Townsend III died in his sleep on March 28, 2011.
, Distinguished Flying Cross
, Air Medal
, Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem, Presidential Unit Citation
, National Defense Service Medal
, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon
.
In 1969, the Society of Experimental Test Pilots
presented Townsend with the James H. Doolittle Award
recognizing outstanding accomplishment in technical management or engineering achievement in aerospace technology. In 1994, the Museum of Flight presented him with the Pathfinder Award recognizing those individuals with ties to the Pacific Northwest who have made significant contributions to the development of the aerospace industry. In 1995, Townsend was inducted into the Aerospace Walk of Honor
in Lancaster, California
that recognizes test pilots who have contributed to aviation and space research and development. On October 25, 2002, the Flight Test Historical Foundation recognized Townsend and five others as distinguished flight test pioneers for their work on the B-52 flight test program.
Townsend was the first military pilot to fly the B-47 Stratojet, B-50 Superfortress, B-52 Stratofortress, and the 367-80 prototype of the KC-135 Stratotanker. He also test flew the Convair B-36
, North American B-45
, Convair XB-46
, Martin XB-48
, and the Martin XB-51
. As of October 1968, he had logged more than 8,000 hours of flying time—5,000 in experimental flight testing in many different aircraft.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
, test pilot
Test pilot
A test pilot is an aviator who flies new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques or FTTs, allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated....
, and combat veteran. As an Air Force officer, he served as chief of bomber test at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Greene and Montgomery counties in the state of Ohio. It includes both Wright and Patterson Fields, which were originally Wilbur Wright Field and Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot. Patterson Field is located approximately...
, flew as co-pilot on the first flight of the B-52 Stratofortress
B-52 Stratofortress
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide maintainence and upgrades to the aircraft in service...
, was test force director for the XB-70 Valkyrie
XB-70 Valkyrie
The North American Aviation XB-70 Valkyrie was the prototype version of the proposed B-70 nuclear-armed deep-penetration strategic bomber for the United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command...
, and served as program director for the C-5 Galaxy
C-5 Galaxy
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It provides the United States Air Force with a heavy intercontinental-range strategic airlift capability, one that can carry outsize and oversize cargos, including all air-certifiable cargo. The Galaxy has many...
and B-1 Lancer
B-1 Lancer
The Rockwell B-1 LancerThe name "Lancer" is only applied to the B-1B version, after the program was revived. is a four-engine variable-sweep wing strategic bomber used by the United States Air Force...
. He was the first military pilot to fly the B-47 Stratojet
B-47 Stratojet
The Boeing Model 450 B-47 Stratojet was a long-range, six-engined, jet-powered medium bomber built to fly at high subsonic speeds and at high altitudes. It was primarily designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union...
, B-50 Superfortress
B-50 Superfortress
The Boeing B-50 Superfortress strategic bomber was a post-World War II revision of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, fitted with more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial engines, stronger structure, a taller fin, and other improvements. It was the last piston-engined bomber designed by Boeing for...
, B-52 Stratofortress, and the prototype of the KC-135 Stratotanker
KC-135 Stratotanker
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an aerial refueling military aircraft. It and the Boeing 707 airliner were developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. The KC-135 was the US Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratotanker...
. During his years at Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
, he was the head of the Supersonic Transport
Boeing 2707
The Boeing 2707 was developed as the first American supersonic transport . After winning a competition for a government-funded contract to build an American SST, Boeing began development at its facilities in Seattle, Washington...
operations organization.
Early years
Guy Townsend was born in Columbus, MississippiColumbus, Mississippi
Columbus is a city in Lowndes County, Mississippi, United States that lies above the Tombigbee River. It is approximately northeast of Jackson, north of Meridian, south of Tupelo, northwest of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and west of Birmingham, Alabama. The population was 25,944 at the 2000 census...
in 1920 and graduated from San Jacinto High School in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
in June 1939. He attended Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
in College Station, Texas
College Station, Texas
College Station is a city in Brazos County, Texas, situated in East Central Texas in the heart of the Brazos Valley. The city is located within the most populated region of Texas, near three of the 10 largest cities in the United States - Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio...
where he studied aeronautical engineering
Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering is the primary branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering...
from September 1939 to June 1941.
Military career
Townsend's military service began as an aviation cadet in the Army Air CorpsUnited 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...
in October 1941. He received pilot training at Ontario, California
Ontario, California
Ontario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
and Victorville, California
Victorville, California
Victorville is a city located in the Victor Valley of southwestern San Bernardino County, California. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 census, the city had a population of 115,903, up from 64,030 at the 2000 census.-Geography and climate:...
and was commissioned a second lieutenant in May 1942. 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...
, Townsend flew 450 combat hours in B-17s and B-29
B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
s in the Pacific Theater of Operations
Pacific Theater of Operations
The Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
. He returned home in October 1945 to serve for three years as pilot and flight test officer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
. Promoted to major, he attended the Flight Performance School (later renamed the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School is the Air Force's very advanced flight training school that trains experimental test pilots, flight test engineers, and flight test navigators to carry out tests and evaluations of new aerospace weapon systems and also other aircraft of the U.S. Air Force...
) and graduated with Class 46F. Townsend demonstrated how the B-29 could be flown to 40,000 feet, well above its intended service ceiling. In 1948, he was promoted to chief of bomber test and served in this capacity for his remaining three years at Wright-Patterson. In 1951, he was assigned to the Air Force Flight Test Center
Air Force Flight Test Center
The Air Force Flight Test Center conducts research, development, test, and evaluation of aerospace systems from concept to deployment. It has test flown every aircraft in the U.S. Air Force's inventory since World War II...
(AFFTC) at Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located on the border of Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County, California, in the Antelope Valley. It is southwest of the central business district of North Edwards, California and due east of Rosamond.It is named in...
in California, although his duties kept him primarily at Boeing in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
.
B-47 Stratojet
Airfield traffic pattern
An airfield traffic pattern is a standard path followed by aircraft when taking off or landing, while maintaining visual contact with the airfield....
, to permit a higher engine power setting during the approach.
The prototype B-47's long, swept wing was prone to twisting during roll maneuvers which caused a dangerous behavior known as aileron reversal
Control reversal
Control reversal is an adverse effect on the controllability of aircraft. The flight controls reverse themselves in a way that is not intuitive, so pilots may not be aware of the situation and therefore provide the wrong inputs; in order to roll to the left, for instance, they have to push the...
to occur at airspeeds lower than expected. Based on experience with earlier aircraft, Townsend proposed the use of spoiler ailerons on the B-47 to reduce this unwanted behavior. The use of spoiler ailerons to reduce wing twisting was first tested on the B-47, and although not used on production B-47s, became standard issue for lateral control on many later jets.
Although the B-47 held great promise, the Air Force was not particularly interested in the aircraft as its capabilities exceeded those specified for a medium bomber and fell short of those specified for a heavy bomber. Colonel Henry E. "Pete" Warden of Wright Field wanted to convince the head of the Air Force's Bomber Production, Major General K. B. Wolfe, of the merits of the B-47. He persuaded Wolfe to take a trial flight with Townsend, who put on a spectacular demonstration. After the flight, Wolfe was convinced and lent his support to the new bomber. Boeing eventually built over two thousand B-47s, more than any other United States bomber manufactured under peacetime conditions.
B-52 Stratofortress
Nathan Farragut Twining
Nathan Farragut Twining, KBE was a United States Air Force General, born in Monroe, Wisconsin. He was Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force from 1953 until 1957...
called "the long rifle of the air age." He participated with contractor pilots in Phase I and conducted Phases II and IV. At the time, the Air Force divided aircraft testing into seven numbered phases including: Phase 1, to determine contractor compliance with the aircraft held to 80% of design limits; Phase II, similar to Phase I but performed by Air Force pilots; and Phase IV, performance and stability testing that expanded the flight envelope to 100% of design limits.
On April 15, 1952, Boeing pilot "Tex" Johnston
Alvin M. Johnston
Alvin M. "Tex" Johnston was a American jet-age test pilot for Bell Aircraft and the Boeing Company.-Early years:...
and co-pilot Lt. Col.
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
Guy Townsend flew the first flight of the YB-52 prototype. The flight from Boeing Field
Boeing Field
Boeing Field, officially King County International Airport , is a two-runway airport owned and run by King County, Washington, USA. In promotional literature, the airport is frequently referred to as KCIA, but this is not the airport identifier. The airport has some passenger service, but is mostly...
to Moses Lake Army Air Base
Larson Air Force Base
Larson Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force base located five miles northwest of the central business district of Moses Lake, in Grant County, Washington. After its closure, the airport was operated as Grant County International Airport.-History:Larson Air Force Base was named in...
(later renamed Larson Air Force Base) near Moses Lake, Washington
Moses Lake, Washington
Moses Lake is a city in Grant County, Washington, United States. The population was 20,366 as of the 2010 census. Moses Lake is the largest city in Grant County.-Background:...
lasted two hours and fifty-one minutes. At the time, this was the longest and most successful first flight in Boeing history. The pilots reported only relatively minor problems that were quickly corrected by Boeing engineers.
Castle Air Force Base
Castle Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base located northeast of Atwater, northwest of Merced and about east southeast of San Francisco, California....
in central California. The 93rd was the first wing to receive B-52 and KC-135 type aircraft. In January 1957, Townsend was deputy commander for Operation Power Flite
Operation Power Flite
Operation Power Flite was a United States Air Force mission in which three Boeing B-52 Stratofortresses became the first jet aircraft to circle the world nonstop, when they made the journey in January 1957 in 45 hours and 19 minutes, using in-flight refueling to stay aloft...
, a group of three B-52Bs that made a nonstop flight around the world in 45 hours with several in-flight refuelings. Unfortunately, the refueling receptacle on Townsend's B-52, La Vittoria, froze solid forcing him to abort to Goose Bay Air Base
CFB Goose Bay
Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay , is a Canadian Forces Base located in the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador....
in Labrador
Labrador
Labrador is the distinct, northerly region of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It comprises the mainland portion of the province, separated from the island of Newfoundland by the Strait of Belle Isle...
. The 93rd Bomb Wing received the Mackay Trophy
MacKay trophy
The Mackay Trophy was established on 27 January 1911 by Clarence Hungerford Mackay, who was then head of the Postal Telegraph-Cable Company and the Commercial Cable Company. Originally, aviators could compete for the trophy annually under rules made each year or the War Department could award the...
for their accomplishment. In February 1958, Townsend reported to the Directorate of Operations in the headquarters of Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
at Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation near Omaha, and lies adjacent to Bellevue in Sarpy County, Nebraska. It is the headquarters of the U.S...
, Nebraska as deputy chief of the Requirements Division. In less than a year, he was named chief of the Requirements Division.
Townsend returned to the AFFTC in March 1962 as the test force director of the XB-70 Valkyrie program. In December 1963 he became the center's director of flight test and in July 1964 the deputy for systems test. Promoted to Brigadier General, Townsend was assigned in September 1965 as director of the C-5 Galaxy system program office at the Aeronautical Systems Division
Aeronautical Systems Center
The Aeronautical Systems Center is an Air Force product center that designs, develops and delivers dominant aerospace weapon systems and capabilities for U.S. Air Force, other U.S. military, allied and coalition-partner warfighters, in support of Air Force leadership priorities...
of Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command is a former United States Air Force command. Its headquarters was located at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland...
located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. In July 1968, he was assigned as deputy for systems management and in November 1969 as the systems program director of the B-1 Lancer program. Townsend retired from the Air Force on October 1, 1970.
Boeing career
After retiring from the Air Force, Townsend joined the Boeing Company as the head of the Supersonic Transport (SST) operations organization. After the SST program was cancelled in 1971, he supported a number of other Boeing efforts including the E-4 Advanced Airborne Command PostBoeing E-4
The Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post, with a project name of "Nightwatch", is an aircraft operated by the United States Air Force...
, the YC-14
Boeing YC-14
The Boeing YC-14 was a twin-engine short take-off and landing tactical transport. It was Boeing's entrant into the United States Air Force's Advanced Medium STOL Transport competition, which aimed to replace the Lockheed C-130 Hercules as the USAF's standard STOL tactical transport...
, the Microwave Landing System
Microwave landing system
A microwave landing system is an all-weather, precision landing system originally intended to replace or supplement instrument landing systems...
, and the B-2 Spirit
B-2 Spirit
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is an American heavy bomber with low observable stealth technology designed to penetrate dense anti-aircraft defenses and deploy both conventional and nuclear weapons. The bomber has a crew of two and can drop up to eighty -class JDAM GPS-guided bombs, or sixteen ...
. Townsend retired from Boeing in 1986.
Later years
Townsend remained active in aviation after his second retirement. In 2003 and at 82 years of age, he regularly flew aerobatics as co-owner of a private plane. He continued flying until 2007 when failing eyesight forced him to stop. Townsend shared his flight test experiences at many events including:- B-52 50th Anniversary — A speech to 5,000 current and former Boeing employees, armed forces veterans, and others. The event was held on April 12, 2002 at the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems plant in Wichita, KansasWichita, KansasWichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the B-52. - The B-47: "A Revolution in Aviation" — A panel discussion on the design and operation of the B-47. The event was held on December 8, 2007 at the Museum of FlightMuseum of FlightThe Museum of Flight is a private non-profit air and space museum at King County International Airport , south of downtown Seattle, Washington. It was established in 1965 and is fully accredited by the American Association of Museums...
in Seattle, Washington to mark the 60th anniversary of the first flight of the XB-47. - The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress-A Story of Design Longevity — A panel presentation on the B-52's exceptional service life. The event was held on February 21, 2009 at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington.
Townsend and his wife Ann lived in the Covenant Shores community on Mercer Island, Washington
Mercer Island, Washington
Mercer Island is a city in King County, Washington, United States and the name of the island in Lake Washington on which the city sits. The population was 22,699 at the 2010 census....
.
Guy Mannering Townsend III died in his sleep on March 28, 2011.
Honors
Townsend was awarded the following medals for his military service: Legion of MeritLegion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
, Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
, Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem, Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation
The Presidential Unit Citation is a senior unit award granted to military units which have performed an extremely meritorious or heroic act, usually in the face of an armed enemy...
, National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award
The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a military award of the United States Air Force which was first issued in 1957 by order of General Thomas D. White, Air Force Chief of Staff...
.
In 1969, the Society of Experimental Test Pilots
Society of Experimental Test Pilots
The Society of Experimental Test Pilots is an international organization that seeks to promote air safety and contributes to aeronautical advancement by promoting sound aeronautical design and development; interchanging ideas, thoughts and suggestions of the members, assisting in the professional...
presented Townsend with the James H. Doolittle Award
James H. Doolittle Award
The James H. Doolittle Award is an honor presented annually by the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. It is an award for "outstanding accomplishment in technical management or engineering achievement in aerospace technology". The award consists of a perpetual trophy on permanent display at SETP...
recognizing outstanding accomplishment in technical management or engineering achievement in aerospace technology. In 1994, the Museum of Flight presented him with the Pathfinder Award recognizing those individuals with ties to the Pacific Northwest who have made significant contributions to the development of the aerospace industry. In 1995, Townsend was inducted into the Aerospace Walk of Honor
Aerospace Walk of Honor
The Aerospace Walk of Honor in Lancaster, California, USA, honors test pilots who have contributed to aviation and space research and development....
in Lancaster, California
Lancaster, California
Lancaster is a charter city in northern Los Angeles County, in the high desert, near the Kern County line. Lancaster currently ranks as the 30th largest city in California, and the 148th largest city in the United States. Lancaster is the principal city within the Antelope Valley...
that recognizes test pilots who have contributed to aviation and space research and development. On October 25, 2002, the Flight Test Historical Foundation recognized Townsend and five others as distinguished flight test pioneers for their work on the B-52 flight test program.
Townsend was the first military pilot to fly the B-47 Stratojet, B-50 Superfortress, B-52 Stratofortress, and the 367-80 prototype of the KC-135 Stratotanker. He also test flew the Convair B-36
Convair B-36
The Convair B-36 "Peacemaker" was a strategic bomber built by Convair and operated solely by the United States Air Force from 1949 to 1959. The B-36 was the largest mass-produced piston engine aircraft ever made. It had the longest wingspan of any combat aircraft ever built , although there have...
, North American B-45
B-45 Tornado
The North American B-45 Tornado was the United States Air Force's first operational jet bomber, and the first jet aircraft to be refueled in the air. The B-45 was an important part of the United States's nuclear deterrent for several years in the early 1950s, but was rapidly succeeded by the Boeing...
, Convair XB-46
Convair XB-46
|-See also:-External Links:*...
, Martin XB-48
Martin XB-48
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Jones, Lloyd S. U.S. Bombers, B-1 1928 to B-1 1980s. Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, 1962, second edition 1974. ISBN 0-8168-9126-5....
, and the Martin XB-51
Martin XB-51
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Earl Shilton, Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9....
. As of October 1968, he had logged more than 8,000 hours of flying time—5,000 in experimental flight testing in many different aircraft.