Tom Gwynne – Grumman Test Pilot
By Dave Horn

Born in Staten Island, NY. Attended Staten Island Academy and Brown University. Grduated with a B.A. in International Relations. Following graduation from Brown University, Tom was commissioned an officer in the USAD and attended pilot training in Alabama. He served as an F-4 Phantom fighter pilot for 6 years, including a combat tour in Vietnam, where he earned 2 DFC’s and 10 Air Medals.

Tom left the Air Force 1/27/69 and joined the Grumman Corp. as a consultant on the Apollo program. In 1972 he joined the Flight Test Department in Calverton and spent the next 15 years as a pilot for Grumman’s tactical aircraft production line, test flying the F-14 Tomcat, A-6 Intruder, EA-6B Prowler, EF-111 Raven, OV-1 Mohawk and Gulfstream 111 aircraft.

On 7/6/79 Tom performed the first flight on F-14A (160902) shop #331, the very aircraft at the Grumman Memorial Park in Calverton.

In 1989 Tom was appointed Director of Flight Operations at Calverton until 1991. He left to become Operation Manager for Grumman’s St. Augustine, Fla. Facility. Retired Northport Grumman in 1997.

Tom returned to NY in July 1997 and was appointed Senior Planning Manager for the Cradle of Aviation Museum at Mitchel Field. The museum was closed for several years and Tom guided it through its expansion and renovation. On the grand opening Tom was appointed V.P. for External Relations for the museum.

Tom is a member of the Long Island Early Fliers Club.

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© 2004 The Long Island Early Fliers Club, P.O. Box 221, Bethpage, NY 11714-0221 • info@longislandearlyfliers.org