Flying Solo: The Untold Thunderbird Legacy of Gerald Larson

In this cinematic interview, former U.S. Air Force Thunderbird pilot Gerald Larson shares his remarkable journey—from enlisting in the Air Force in 1953 to becoming the solo pilot for America’s elite aerial demonstration team during the F-100 era.

Larson reveals what it was like to fly low, fast, and loud in the Super Sabre during international tours through Central and South America, and how he and Bob Moore pioneered the first-ever dual solo routine. From dealing with crowd control issues on the runway in Quito to honoring the legacy of fallen teammates, Larson’s recollections offer a rare window into one of the most transformational periods in Thunderbirds history.

🎖️ Major General Gerald Larson flew with the Thunderbirds from 1960–1962 and helped introduce new solo maneuvers that remain part of the team’s DNA today.

➤ Chapters:
00:00 – The dream of flight
01:50 – Becoming an Air Force aviator
02:57 – Seeing the Thunderbirds for the first time
03:49 – Joining the team
04:15 – The F-100 and solo maneuvers
05:06 – The South America tour
8:02 – Creating the dual solo routine
9:47 – The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

🇺🇸 This video is part of a series honoring the legacy of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the pilots who shaped their history.

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