Palmdale in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

A.W. "Tony" LeVier 1913-1998

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, May 28, 2010

1. A.W. "Tony"LeVier 1913-1998 Marker

Inscription. Born in Duluth, Minnesota, on February 14th, 1913. In the 1930s he won the junior pilot aerobatic meet, barnstormed the country, operated two flying schools and competed in air races. In 1941 he joined the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation and tested the P-38 Lighting, XP-80A jet fighter and the XP-80 Shooting Star. Authored "Pilots Report on Supersonic Flight." Flight tested the XF-104 Starfighter, the T-33 trainer, and the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft and made several safety improvements to supersonic fighters.

LeVier took America's first jet trainer up for its maiden flight in 1948. A subsequent flight in the T-Bird nearly cost him his life when the canopy tore off and the air blast ripped his helmet from his head. Fortunately, he managed to regain control. Later, the military used this trainer to teach a half-generation of pilots to fly jets. LeVier retired from Lockheed in 1974. He made the first test flight of 20 different aircraft and flew over 240 different types, more than any pilot in history.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space.

Location. 34° 36.189′ N, 118° 5.308′ W. Marker is in Palmdale, California, in Los Angeles County. Marker can be reached from Avenue P west of 25th Street East, on the right

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when traveling west. Marker is located at the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Palmdale Plant 42. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2001 E Avenue P, Palmdale CA 93550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wright J65 Turbojet Engine (within shouting distance of this marker); MK-20 Rockeye Cluster Bomb Unit (within shouting distance of this marker); William J. "Pete" Knight (within shouting distance of this marker); F-101 Voodoo Escort Fighter (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A-4AR Cockpit Trainer (about 300 feet away); F-86 (about 400 feet away); B-2 Spirit (about 400 feet away); Stanley P Butchart 1928 - 2008 / C-140 Jetstar (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palmdale.

Also see . . .
1. Tony LeVier. Anthony W. "Tony" LeVier (February 14, 1913 – February 6, 1998) was an air racer and test pilot for the Lockheed Corporation from the 1940s to the 1970s. This Wikipedia article displays many photos of planes tested by LeVier. (Submitted on November 2, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

2. Where legends land and dreams take flight. Anthony “Tony” LeVier Test Pilot/Dare Devil Enshrined 1978 1912-1998 (Submitted on November 2, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

A.W. "Tony" LeVier 1913-1998 Marker & T-33 Shooting Star 1-4533 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, May 28, 2010

2. A.W. "Tony" LeVier 1913-1998 Marker & T-33 Shooting Star 1-4533

T-33 Shooting Star 1-4533 & A.W. "Tony" LeVier 1913-1998 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, May 28, 2010

3. T-33 Shooting Star 1-4533 & A.W. "Tony" LeVier 1913-1998 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,046 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on March 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on November 2, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2, 3. submitted on January 15, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.