CCO - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0) This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer CCO - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0) This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer CCO - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0) This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage conditions may apply Usage conditions may apply

Flown by R. A. "Bob" Hoover for 20 years, N500RA is the most recognized Shrike Commander in the world. Hoover began flying in 1937, flew 58 missions in World War II, and was an outstanding military and civilian test pilot. He set altitude and speed records in several North American and Rockwell aircraft and performed at air shows in the Shrike, P-51 Mustang, T-39, Aero Commander, and Sabreliner.

The Shrike Commander, a descendent of the 1948 Aero Commander L-3805, is a twin-engine, seven-place, unpressurized business aircraft. Hoover purchased his Shrike in 1979 and, with his extraordinary test pilot and fighter pilot skills, brought this simple business aircraft design to international acclaim. In it he performed his signature deadstick (no engine) routine of loop, roll, 180-degree turn, landing, and taxi to air show center.

Display Status

This object is on display in Business Aviation at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Business Aviation
Object Details
Date 1968-1979 Type CRAFT-Aircraft Manufacturer Rockwell International Corp.
Physical Description Six-place, twin-engined, piston-powered business aircraft; white with green trim. Two Lycoming IO-540-E1B5 engines, 290 hp. Dimensions Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft)
Length: 11.2 m (36 ft 7 in)
Height: 4.4 m (14 ft 6 in)
Weight, empty: 2,102 kg ( 4,635 lb)
Weight, gross: 3,062 kg (6,750 lb)
Top speed: 346 km/h (215 mph)
Engine: 2 Lycoming IO-540-E1B5, 290 hp
Materials Fuselage - all-metal semi-monocoque structure with flush-riveted skin
Wings - cantilever, high wing monoplane
Tail - all-metal
Landing gear - retractable tricycle
Inventory Number A20000796000 Credit Line Gift of R.A. "Bob" and Colleen Hoover Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.

Deep dives