On December 25th, 1945, Boeing test pilot Bob Lamson was flying a Boeing XF8B-1 prototype long range naval fighter over the south end of Whidbey Island in Washington State. When he spotted a pair of Navy Corsairs heading back to Naval Air Station Seattle, at Sand Point. He decided to show off the power of the huge Pratt and Whitney 28 cylinder R-4360 engine with its counter rotating propellers. However, when he applied power, the engine quit forcing Lamson to make a power off landing at the nearby Everett Municipal Airport (now Paine Field). The plane nosed over when he ran off the runway, doing relatively minor Damage. The XF8B-1 (3 were built and test flown) was the last fighter designed and flown by Boeing until the X-32 Joint strike fighter technology demonstrator in the late 1990s.

The original painting is sold. 

* Prints are available through his website by clicking the "add to cart" navigation button. Print size in inches: 13 x 20 on 15 x 22 paper.