Top_Gunn

My Feedback: (6)

How about David McCampbell? Navy's top WWII ace, top ace to survive the war, flew long before the war began but didn't get a victory until 1944, per Wikipedia. Not nearly so well-known as pilots like Yeager, Bong, and countless Brits and Germans.

Hydro Junkie

Not saying your guess is write or wrong but just "quantifying" it. What must be remembered is that, by 1943, almost all of the elite Japanese pilots were gone, a majority being shot down over the Solomon Islands. This meant that McCampbell's score was against pilots that, for the most part, wouldn't have been out of flight training in the pre-war Japanese military. In contrast, the German pilots flying against the allies over Europe were almost all highly trained veterans until the last few months of the war and, unlike the Japanese, had very few planes still in flying condition by that time.

Top_Gunn

My Feedback: (6)

By 1944, a lot of the good German pilots were dead, and their replacements were badly trained, in part because their training included a lot of political junk. While the ones left from early in the war were very good indeed, there were lots of second-raters, too. Pierre Clostermann's book goes into this in some detail. Anyway, McCampbell didn't have any easier opponents than anyone else in the Pacific theater in those years, did he?

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Gentlemen;

No correct answers thus far. My apologies, a very busy day. So, here's a morning, an afternoon, and an evening clue for you. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

1. He was a pilot prior to the beginning of his war.
2. He survived the war, but is a relative unknown; although he led the victory roles in at least two categories, perhaps three.
3. His first combat posting was nearly a year after the war had begun.
4. He flew throughout a major air campaign without scoring a single victory.
5. His first victory came after over eight months of combat flying.
6. He was transferred to a different war zone six weeks later, and quickly scored two more victories.
7. A month later, he was shot down and slightly wounded.
8. Within the next month, he ran his victory score to 10, before being critically injured in a ground collision with another aircraft.
9. After he recovered, he spent a year as a fighter training instructor.

Hydro Junkie

Greg Boyington

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Still no correct answers but here's a morning clue to aid your search. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

1. He was a pilot prior to the beginning of his war.
2. He survived the war, but is a relative unknown; although he led the victory roles in at least two categories, perhaps three.
3. His first combat posting was nearly a year after the war had begun.
4. He flew throughout a major air campaign without scoring a single victory.
5. His first victory came after over eight months of combat flying.
6. He was transferred to a different war zone six weeks later, and quickly scored two more victories.
7. A month later, he was shot down and slightly wounded.
8. Within the next month, he ran his victory score to 10, before being critically injured in a ground collision with another aircraft.
9. After he recovered, he spent a year as a fighter training instructor.
10. Then he was posted to his original war zone, to take on a new role.

elmshoot

My Feedback: (6)

Joe Foss?

uncljoe

My Feedback: (8)

Wilfred Arthur RAAF

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

No correct answers thus far. Here's an afternoon clue to aid your search. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

1. He was a pilot prior to the beginning of his war.
2. He survived the war, but is a relative unknown; although he led the victory roles in at least two categories, perhaps three.
3. His first combat posting was nearly a year after the war had begun.
4. He flew throughout a major air campaign without scoring a single victory.
5. His first victory came after over eight months of combat flying.
6. He was transferred to a different war zone six weeks later, and quickly scored two more victories.
7. A month later, he was shot down and slightly wounded.
8. Within the next month, he ran his victory score to 10, before being critically injured in a ground collision with another aircraft.
9. After he recovered, he spent a year as a fighter training instructor.
10. Then he was posted to his original war zone, to take on a new role.
11. Working with another fighter pilot, he helped develop new tactics for fighter aircraft, which were quite successful.

JohnnyS

Wilfred Arthur?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilfred_Arthur

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Sorry, JohnnyS; not Arthur. But here's an evening clue to reward your efforts. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

1. He was a pilot prior to the beginning of his war.
2. He survived the war, but is a relative unknown; although he led the victory roles in at least two categories, perhaps three.
3. His first combat posting was nearly a year after the war had begun.
4. He flew throughout a major air campaign without scoring a single victory.
5. His first victory came after over eight months of combat flying.
6. He was transferred to a different war zone six weeks later, and quickly scored two more victories.
7. A month later, he was shot down and slightly wounded.
8. Within the next month, he ran his victory score to 10, before being critically injured in a ground collision with another aircraft.
9. After he recovered, he spent a year as a fighter training instructor.
10. Then he was posted to his original war zone, to take on a new role.
11. Working with another fighter pilot, he helped develop new tactics for fighter aircraft, which were quite successful.
12. Three months later, he became a squadron leader of a very famous unit.

elmshoot

My Feedback: (6)

Pappy Boyington?

elmshoot

My Feedback: (6)

No I guess not pappy since he ended the war as a POW
good one but it would be more fun doing airplanes....
Douglass Badder?

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Well elmshoot; I have always found the men to be more interesting than the machines; but I guess that's why there's more than one answer to most things. No, not Bader; although I must say that nothing I have posted says that this pilot might not have ended his war as a POW like Boyington. But no, not Boyington either. As a reward for your participation, here's an extra clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

1. He was a pilot prior to the beginning of his war.
2. He survived the war, but is a relative unknown; although he led the victory roles in at least two categories, perhaps three.
3. His first combat posting was nearly a year after the war had begun.
4. He flew throughout a major air campaign without scoring a single victory.
5. His first victory came after over eight months of combat flying.
6. He was transferred to a different war zone six weeks later, and quickly scored two more victories.
7. A month later, he was shot down and slightly wounded.
8. Within the next month, he ran his victory score to 10, before being critically injured in a ground collision with another aircraft.
9. After he recovered, he spent a year as a fighter training instructor.
10. Then he was posted to his original war zone, to take on a new role.
11. Working with another fighter pilot, he helped develop new tactics for fighter aircraft, which were quite successful.
12. Three months later, he became a squadron leader of a very famous unit.
13. The following month he, after a successful encounter with enemy units, was wounded when his aircraft flipped over upon landing.

Sekhet

My Feedback: (1)

John Smith "Jimmy" Thach, developer of the "Thach Weave also known as the "Beam Defense Position"

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

1. He was a pilot prior to the beginning of his war.
2. He survived the war, but is a relative unknown; although he led the victory roles in at least two categories, perhaps three.
3. His first combat posting was nearly a year after the war had begun.
4. He flew throughout a major air campaign without scoring a single victory.
5. His first victory came after over eight months of combat flying.
6. He was transferred to a different war zone six weeks later, and quickly scored two more victories.
7. A month later, he was shot down and slightly wounded.
8. Within the next month, he ran his victory score to 10, before being critically injured in a ground collision with another aircraft.
9. After he recovered, he spent a year as a fighter training instructor.
10. Then he was posted to his original war zone, to take on a new role.
11. Working with another fighter pilot, he helped develop new tactics for fighter aircraft, which were quite successful.
12. Three months later, he became a squadron leader of a very famous unit.
13. The following month he, after a successful encounter with enemy units, was wounded when his aircraft flipped over upon landing.
14. Still, two months later, he had added to his score; having destroyed 20 enemy aircraft.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

No correct answers thus far, but here's an afternoon clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

1. He was a pilot prior to the beginning of his war.
2. He survived the war, but is a relative unknown; although he led the victory roles in at least two categories, perhaps three.
3. His first combat posting was nearly a year after the war had begun.
4. He flew throughout a major air campaign without scoring a single victory.
5. His first victory came after over eight months of combat flying.
6. He was transferred to a different war zone six weeks later, and quickly scored two more victories.
7. A month later, he was shot down and slightly wounded.
8. Within the next month, he ran his victory score to 10, before being critically injured in a ground collision with another aircraft.
9. After he recovered, he spent a year as a fighter training instructor.
10. Then he was posted to his original war zone, to take on a new role.
11. Working with another fighter pilot, he helped develop new tactics for fighter aircraft, which were quite successful.
12. Three months later, he became a squadron leader of a very famous unit.
13. The following month he, after a successful encounter with enemy units, was wounded when his aircraft flipped over upon landing.
14. Still, two months later, he had added to his score; having destroyed 20 enemy aircraft.
15. He was then transferred to another unit; and, two months later, was forced to bail out from his damaged aircraft and was injured yet again.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

And an evening clue. Suggestion: There is a telling clue in the sum total of all the individual clues. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

1. He was a pilot prior to the beginning of his war.
2. He survived the war, but is a relative unknown; although he led the victory roles in at least two categories, perhaps three.
3. His first combat posting was nearly a year after the war had begun.
4. He flew throughout a major air campaign without scoring a single victory.
5. His first victory came after over eight months of combat flying.
6. He was transferred to a different war zone six weeks later, and quickly scored two more victories.
7. A month later, he was shot down and slightly wounded.
8. Within the next month, he ran his victory score to 10, before being critically injured in a ground collision with another aircraft.
9. After he recovered, he spent a year as a fighter training instructor.
10. Then he was posted to his original war zone, to take on a new role.
11. Working with another fighter pilot, he helped develop new tactics for fighter aircraft, which were quite successful.
12. Three months later, he became a squadron leader of a very famous unit.
13. The following month he, after a successful encounter with enemy units, was wounded when his aircraft flipped over upon landing.
14. Still, two months later, he had added to his score; having destroyed 20 enemy aircraft.
15. He was then transferred to another unit; and, two months later, was forced to bail out from his damaged aircraft and was injured yet again.
16. The following spring, he was transferred to yet another famous fighter unit.

elmshoot

My Feedback: (6)

Pretty sure it isn't a US pilot too many crashes and he kept flying.
Squadron leader is a British rank so maybe a Brit.
Landing accidents makes me think of ME-109's
So if he has 20 victories I will check Wiki for a brit.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

1. He was a pilot prior to the beginning of his war.
2. He survived the war, but is a relative unknown; although he led the victory roles in at least two categories, perhaps three.
3. His first combat posting was nearly a year after the war had begun.
4. He flew throughout a major air campaign without scoring a single victory.
5. His first victory came after over eight months of combat flying.
6. He was transferred to a different war zone six weeks later, and quickly scored two more victories.
7. A month later, he was shot down and slightly wounded.
8. Within the next month, he ran his victory score to 10, before being critically injured in a ground collision with another aircraft.
9. After he recovered, he spent a year as a fighter training instructor.
10. Then he was posted to his original war zone, to take on a new role.
11. Working with another fighter pilot, he helped develop new tactics for fighter aircraft, which were quite successful.
12. Three months later, he became a squadron leader of a very famous unit.
13. The following month he, after a successful encounter with enemy units, was wounded when his aircraft flipped over upon landing.
14. Still, two months later, he had added to his score; having destroyed 20 enemy aircraft.
15. He was then transferred to another unit; and, two months later, was forced to bail out from his damaged aircraft and was injured yet again.
16. The following spring, he was transferred to yet another famous fighter unit.
17. The following month, he was forced to bail out of his damaged aircraft yet again.

JohnnyS

Alan Christopher Deere?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Christopher_Deere

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Nice try, JohnnyS; but not Deere. But here's another clue for you. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

1. He was a pilot prior to the beginning of his war.
2. He survived the war, but is a relative unknown; although he led the victory roles in at least two categories, perhaps three.
3. His first combat posting was nearly a year after the war had begun.
4. He flew throughout a major air campaign without scoring a single victory.
5. His first victory came after over eight months of combat flying.
6. He was transferred to a different war zone six weeks later, and quickly scored two more victories.
7. A month later, he was shot down and slightly wounded.
8. Within the next month, he ran his victory score to 10, before being critically injured in a ground collision with another aircraft.
9. After he recovered, he spent a year as a fighter training instructor.
10. Then he was posted to his original war zone, to take on a new role.
11. Working with another fighter pilot, he helped develop new tactics for fighter aircraft, which were quite successful.
12. Three months later, he became a squadron leader of a very famous unit.
13. The following month he, after a successful encounter with enemy units, was wounded when his aircraft flipped over upon landing.
14. Still, two months later, he had added to his score; having destroyed 20 enemy aircraft.
15. He was then transferred to another unit; and, two months later, was forced to bail out from his damaged aircraft and was injured yet again.
16. The following spring, he was transferred to yet another famous fighter unit.
17. The following month, he was forced to bail out of his damaged aircraft yet again.
18. The month after that, he was forced to make an emergency landing following a successful encounter with an enemy unit.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

I'm going to be out this evening, so here's the clue for the evening. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

1. He was a pilot prior to the beginning of his war.
2. He survived the war, but is a relative unknown; although he led the victory roles in at least two categories, perhaps three.
3. His first combat posting was nearly a year after the war had begun.
4. He flew throughout a major air campaign without scoring a single victory.
5. His first victory came after over eight months of combat flying.
6. He was transferred to a different war zone six weeks later, and quickly scored two more victories.
7. A month later, he was shot down and slightly wounded.
8. Within the next month, he ran his victory score to 10, before being critically injured in a ground collision with another aircraft.
9. After he recovered, he spent a year as a fighter training instructor.
10. Then he was posted to his original war zone, to take on a new role.
11. Working with another fighter pilot, he helped develop new tactics for fighter aircraft, which were quite successful.
12. Three months later, he became a squadron leader of a very famous unit.
13. The following month he, after a successful encounter with enemy units, was wounded when his aircraft flipped over upon landing.
14. Still, two months later, he had added to his score; having destroyed 20 enemy aircraft.
15. He was then transferred to another unit; and, two months later, was forced to bail out from his damaged aircraft and was injured yet again.
16. The following spring, he was transferred to yet another famous fighter unit.
17. The following month, he was forced to bail out of his damaged aircraft yet again.
18. The month after that, he was forced to make an emergency landing following a successful encounter with an enemy unit.
19. He added to his victory list while covering friendly ground units during an historic land battle; receiving a coveted award.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

It's going to be a fun, and busy, day; so here's both a morning and an afternoon clue for you. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

1. He was a pilot prior to the beginning of his war.
2. He survived the war, but is a relative unknown; although he led the victory roles in at least two categories, perhaps three.
3. His first combat posting was nearly a year after the war had begun.
4. He flew throughout a major air campaign without scoring a single victory.
5. His first victory came after over eight months of combat flying.
6. He was transferred to a different war zone six weeks later, and quickly scored two more victories.
7. A month later, he was shot down and slightly wounded.
8. Within the next month, he ran his victory score to 10, before being critically injured in a ground collision with another aircraft.
9. After he recovered, he spent a year as a fighter training instructor.
10. Then he was posted to his original war zone, to take on a new role.
11. Working with another fighter pilot, he helped develop new tactics for fighter aircraft, which were quite successful.
12. Three months later, he became a squadron leader of a very famous unit.
13. The following month he, after a successful encounter with enemy units, was wounded when his aircraft flipped over upon landing.
14. Still, two months later, he had added to his score; having destroyed 20 enemy aircraft.
15. He was then transferred to another unit; and, two months later, was forced to bail out from his damaged aircraft and was injured yet again.
16. The following spring, he was transferred to yet another famous fighter unit.
17. The following month, he was forced to bail out of his damaged aircraft yet again.
18. The month after that, he was forced to make an emergency landing following a successful encounter with an enemy unit.
19. He added to his victory list while covering friendly ground units during an historic land battle; receiving a coveted award.
20. A couple of months later, he was appointed to command yet another unit.
21. While commanding the new unit, he led a number of successful attacks against ground units. During two separate attacks against enemy tanks, he scored against enemy aircraft.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

1. He was a pilot prior to the beginning of his war.
2. He survived the war, but is a relative unknown; although he led the victory roles in at least two categories, perhaps three.
3. His first combat posting was nearly a year after the war had begun.
4. He flew throughout a major air campaign without scoring a single victory.
5. His first victory came after over eight months of combat flying.
6. He was transferred to a different war zone six weeks later, and quickly scored two more victories.
7. A month later, he was shot down and slightly wounded.
8. Within the next month, he ran his victory score to 10, before being critically injured in a ground collision with another aircraft.
9. After he recovered, he spent a year as a fighter training instructor.
10. Then he was posted to his original war zone, to take on a new role.
11. Working with another fighter pilot, he helped develop new tactics for fighter aircraft, which were quite successful.
12. Three months later, he became a squadron leader of a very famous unit.
13. The following month he, after a successful encounter with enemy units, was wounded when his aircraft flipped over upon landing.
14. Still, two months later, he had added to his score; having destroyed 20 enemy aircraft.
15. He was then transferred to another unit; and, two months later, was forced to bail out from his damaged aircraft and was injured yet again.
16. The following spring, he was transferred to yet another famous fighter unit.
17. The following month, he was forced to bail out of his damaged aircraft yet again.
18. The month after that, he was forced to make an emergency landing following a successful encounter with an enemy unit.
19. He added to his victory list while covering friendly ground units during an historic land battle; receiving a coveted award.
20. A couple of months later, he was appointed to command yet another unit.
21. While commanding the new unit, he led a number of successful attacks against ground units. During two separate attacks against enemy tanks, he scored against enemy aircraft.
22. The following month, he was promoted to command a larger unit, after its commander was killed in combat.