ORIGINAL: Top_Gunn
Ilmari Juutilainen? (I've heard the ''no bullet hits'' story about him, and he was an extraordinarily good pilot.)
No, not Juutilainen; although his story does fit that clue. As a reward for trying, here's a mid-afternoon clue for you. Thanks; Ernie P.
Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:
(1) He first attempted to become a pilot in a foreign service.
(2) His next attempt lead to his being classified as a cook.
(3) He had been interested in aviation from an early age.
(4) He finally qualified as a pilot. Only then did he join his country’s military and was only awarded pilot status nearly 18 months after becoming a pilot.
(5) At the war’s outset he was, despite his low rank, one of his country’s most experienced aviators.
(6) He was still serving as an active pilot at war’s end.
(7) At least one official document stated his aircraft had never been struck by a single enemy bullet.
(8) Early in his wartime career, his engine was struck by a cannon shell. Even so, he managed to land his badly damaged aircraft safely.
(9) He was wounded after colliding with an enemy aircraft and crashing.
(10) He began the war flying night missions and reconnaissance missions.