Fiche biographique n° 444

Nom PRUE, Irving O.
Année de naissance1915
Année de décès2001
Pays USA
Activité(s) Pilote & Concepteur & Constructeur
Biographie Irv Prue first became interested in gliders when he read about the Germans' activities in a 1929 issue of the National Geographic Magazine. While still in high school, he constructed three primary gliders in which he learned to fly without instruction. Irv moved West after completing high school to follow a career in aviation. He completed his studies in the Technical and Mechanical School of the Boeing School of Aeronautics and settled down in California. His first design after WW II was the diminutive Prue 160 whose fuselage was derived from a P-38 drop tank. The construction was entirely of magnesium, flush riveted, and incorporating a V-tail. Next followed the Prue 215. Again it was all-metal, flush riveted and included a reclining cockpit, an external airfoil flap and a retracting landing wheel. Irv chose aluminum as the material for this and his succeeding designs. This was followed by the Prue Two in which he incorporated retractable landing wheel and added fiberglass to his structural design. In 1967 Ed Minghelli flew it to a world two-place goal-and-return record of 360 miles. Next came the Prue Standard.
Irv was employed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautic Co. aerospace firm for 41 years. His projects included the Lockheed Electra models 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18; the P-38, F-80, F-94 and F-104; the Hercules cargo and Constellation passenger planes; and the Blackbird reconnaissance craft.
Irv Prue served as crew chief for U.S. Teams in three world competitions. He received the Eaton Trophy in 1966 and earned Silver #381 in 1960, Gold #98 in 1960 and Diamond #145 (Intl #862) in 1970.
Sources bibliographiques
Autres sources"Portrait of Irv Prue", par Floyd J. Sweet, Soaring janvier 1968, p 20.
The Story of the Prues par Irv Prue, Soaring avril 1965, p 8-11.
Planeurs associés Prue 160
Prue 215
Prue Standard
Prue Super Standard
Prue II-A
Prue UHP-1
Liens sur la Toile National Soaring Museum (dernière visite du site : 2018-05-04 CL)

Fiche n° 444 [Dernière mise à jour : 2018-05-05]