Hydro Junkie

I know, I was hoping it was one of the four I did find. Was thinking it might have been the Finnish pilot, guess not

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

1. This pilot and his wingman combined for 15 aerial victories in one mission.

2. When this pilot returned home after this mission, his engine quit at the end of his landing roll-out because he was out of fuel. Of the 2000+ rounds of ammunition he took off with, only 2 rounds were left when he landed.

3. He achieved "Ace-in-a-day" status not once, but twice, something no one else from his country ever did.

4. All of his kills were scored during one five-month period.

5. He survived the war and died of natural causes at a ripe old age.

6. He also destroyed 24 enemy aircraft on the ground.

Hydro Junkie

Rene' Fonck scored 6 kills twice, 9 May and 26 Sept 1918 He is French
Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer scored 5 kills on 25 May 1944 and 9 more on 21 Feb 1945 flying at night He is German
David McCambell scored 7 kills on 19 June and 9 more on 24 Oct 1944 but these were all poorly trained Japanese pilots He is American
Hans Wind scored 5 or more kills in a day FIVE TIMES IN TWELVE DAYS for 30 of his 75 kills He is Finnish
Since no one else from his country did this, and I've eliminated all of the above, this means the person being looked for is Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Russian, Australian or British.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Hydro Junkie; I don't know why you eliminated David McCampbell. He seems to fit pretty well, as far as I can see. Thanks; Ernie P.

1. This pilot and his wingman combined for 15 aerial victories in one mission.

2. When this pilot returned home after this mission, his engine quit at the end of his landing roll-out because he was out of fuel. Of the 2000+ rounds of ammunition he took off with, only 2 rounds were left when he landed.

3. He achieved "Ace-in-a-day" status not once, but twice, something no one else from his country ever did.

4. All of his kills were scored during one five-month period.

5. He survived the war and died of natural causes at a ripe old age.

6. He also destroyed 24 enemy aircraft on the ground.


Captain David McCampbell (January 16, 1910 – June 30, 1996) was a United States Navy captain, fighter pilot, and a Medal of Honor recipient. He retired from the Navy in 1964 with 31 years of service.
Campbell is the U.S. Navy's all-time leading flying ace with 34 aerial victories and the third-highest American scoring ace of World War II. He also set a world single mission aerial combat record of shooting down nine enemy planes in one mission, on October 24, 1944

On June 19, 1944, during the "Marianas Turkey Shoot," Commander McCampbell shot down five Japanese 'Judy' dive-bombers, to become an "ace in a day". Later that afternoon, during a second sortie, McCampbell downed another two 'Zekes' over Guam. On October 24, 1944, he became the only American airman to achieve "ace in a day" status twice. McCampbell and his wingman attacked a Japanese force of 60 aircraft. McCampbell shot down nine, setting a U.S. single mission aerial combat record. During this same action, his wingman downed another six Japanese warplanes. When he landed his Grumman F6F Hellcat aboard USS Langley (Essex's flight deck wasn't clear), his six machine guns had two rounds remaining and his airplane had to be manually released from the arrestor wire due to complete fuel exhaustion. Commander McCampbell received the Medal of Honor for both actions, becoming the only Fast Carrier Task Force pilot to be so honored.

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

You got it, Ernie. McCampbell was also an LSO aboard the Wasp when it delivered Spitfires to Malta. He was quite old for a fighter pilot in those days, a couple of years older than Boyington, even. He was the only Medal of Honor recipient to command an aircraft carrier.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Thank you, Sir. I've always wondered why McCampbell got so little notoriety during and after the war. I hope this next clue amuses everyone. It's pretty easy to figure out; but I trust all will enjoy it. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:

1. This pilot was not an ace.
2. Nor was he a pre-war pilot.
3. In fact, he was a teacher prior to becoming a wartime pilot.

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

On the mission where McCampbell scored nine kills, he and his wingman attacked a strike force of 60 Jap planes heading for the U.S. ships. Two Hellcats against sixty enemy planes ! After losing fifteen aircraft, the remaining Japs abandoned their attack and ran for home. He also had two probable kills on that mission. McCampbell's aggressiveness and bravery were second to none. I've also wondered why he wasn't more famous. History can be fickle that way.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:
Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:

1. This pilot was not an ace.
2. Nor was he a pre-war pilot.
3. In fact, he was a teacher prior to becoming a wartime pilot.
4. Nevertheless, his exploits earned him a degree of fame.

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

Billy Mitchell?

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

A very good, well thought out and researched, though incorrect, answer rcguy59. But here's a bonus clue for participation. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:

1. This pilot was not an ace.
2. Nor was he a pre-war pilot.
3. In fact, he was a teacher prior to becoming a wartime pilot.
4. Nevertheless, his exploits earned him a degree of fame.
5. Although a few people were convinced he was completely mad.

Hydro Junkie

Howard Hughes

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

I don't recall Howard Hughes ever working as a teacher, but here's a morning clue to help you narrow the field. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:

1. This pilot was not an ace.
2. Nor was he a pre-war pilot.
3. In fact, he was a teacher prior to becoming a wartime pilot.
4. Nevertheless, his exploits earned him a degree of fame.
5. Although a few people were convinced he was completely mad.
6. He won several medals for his service.

Hydro Junkie

Some did think he was mad for the way he did things

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

That I know. Here's an afternoon clue to move things along. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:

1. This pilot was not an ace.
2. Nor was he a pre-war pilot.
3. In fact, he was a teacher prior to becoming a wartime pilot.
4. Nevertheless, his exploits earned him a degree of fame.
5. Although a few people were convinced he was completely mad.
6. He won several medals for his service.
7. He also, as a pilot, found himself fighting in a ground combat role; although perhaps not intentionally at first.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:



Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:

1. This pilot was not an ace.
2. Nor was he a pre-war pilot.
3. In fact, he was a teacher prior to becoming a wartime pilot.
4. Nevertheless, his exploits earned him a degree of fame.
5. Although a few people were convinced he was completely mad.
6. He won several medals for his service.
7. He also, as a pilot, found himself fighting in a ground combat role; although perhaps not intentionally at first.
8. He performed heroically, but accidentally fired upon a friendly unit.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:

1. This pilot was not an ace.
2. Nor was he a pre-war pilot.
3. In fact, he was a teacher prior to becoming a wartime pilot.
4. Nevertheless, his exploits earned him a degree of fame.
5. Although a few people were convinced he was completely mad.
6. He won several medals for his service.
7. He also, as a pilot, found himself fighting in a ground combat role; although perhaps not intentionally at first.
8. He performed heroically, but accidentally fired upon a friendly unit.
9. He was threatened with a court martial or equivalent trial.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:

1. This pilot was not an ace.
2. Nor was he a pre-war pilot.
3. In fact, he was a teacher prior to becoming a wartime pilot.
4. Nevertheless, his exploits earned him a degree of fame.
5. Although a few people were convinced he was completely mad.
6. He won several medals for his service.
7. He also, as a pilot, found himself fighting in a ground combat role; although perhaps not intentionally at first.
8. He performed heroically, but accidentally fired upon a friendly unit.
9. He was threatened with a court martial or equivalent trial.
10. However, a well-known general intervened in things and refused to allow the court martial to take place.

elmshoot

My Feedback: (6)

Boyd
The phrase OODA loop refers to the decision cycle of observe, orient, decide, and act, developed by military strategist and USAF Colonel John Boyd. Boyd applied the concept to the combat operations process, often at the strategic level in military operations.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

An excellent, though incorrect, answer elmshoot. I'm familiar with the story of Colonel Boyd, who had earlier earned the nickname of "The Mad Major" for his confrontational style; but am not aware he was ever threatened with a court martial. Still, he was an interesting, and influential, character. And, you get a bonus for participation. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:

1. This pilot was not an ace.
2. Nor was he a pre-war pilot.
3. In fact, he was a teacher prior to becoming a wartime pilot.
4. Nevertheless, his exploits earned him a degree of fame.
5. Although a few people were convinced he was completely mad.
6. He won several medals for his service.
7. He also, as a pilot, found himself fighting in a ground combat role; although perhaps not intentionally at first.
8. He performed heroically, but accidentally fired upon a friendly unit.
9. He was threatened with a court martial or equivalent trial.
10. However, a well-known general intervened in things and refused to allow the court martial to take place.
11. He became ill, and was discharged from the service.

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

Boyd was mistaken for a madman because he was so much smarter than the vast majority of his "superiors". History bears this out.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:

1. This pilot was not an ace.
2. Nor was he a pre-war pilot.
3. In fact, he was a teacher prior to becoming a wartime pilot.
4. Nevertheless, his exploits earned him a degree of fame.
5. Although a few people were convinced he was completely mad.
6. He won several medals for his service.
7. He also, as a pilot, found himself fighting in a ground combat role; although perhaps not intentionally at first.
8. He performed heroically, but accidentally fired upon a friendly unit.
9. He was threatened with a court martial or equivalent trial.
10. However, a well-known general intervened in things and refused to allow the court martial to take place.
11. He became ill, and was discharged from the service.
12. He recovered and resumed his teaching career.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:

1. This pilot was not an ace.
2. Nor was he a pre-war pilot.
3. In fact, he was a teacher prior to becoming a wartime pilot.
4. Nevertheless, his exploits earned him a degree of fame.
5. Although a few people were convinced he was completely mad.
6. He won several medals for his service.
7. He also, as a pilot, found himself fighting in a ground combat role; although perhaps not intentionally at first.
8. He performed heroically, but accidentally fired upon a friendly unit.
9. He was threatened with a court martial or equivalent trial.
10. However, a well-known general intervened in things and refused to allow the court martial to take place.
11. He became ill, and was discharged from the service.
12. He recovered and resumed his teaching career.
13. The armament innovation for which he is best known was actually pioneered by other pilots; but he is the best known, and most accomplished, of the pilots utilizing the new armament.

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

Giulio Gavotti?

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Now that is a great answer, rcguy59. Not a correct answer, but still a great answer. Keep up that good, analytical thinking and you'll nail it. And this bonus clue may help you. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?
Clues:

1. This pilot was not an ace.
2. Nor was he a pre-war pilot.
3. In fact, he was a teacher prior to becoming a wartime pilot.
4. Nevertheless, his exploits earned him a degree of fame.
5. Although a few people were convinced he was completely mad.
6. He won several medals for his service.
7. He also, as a pilot, found himself fighting in a ground combat role; although perhaps not intentionally at first.
8. He performed heroically, but accidentally fired upon a friendly unit.
9. He was threatened with a court martial or equivalent trial.
10. However, a well-known general intervened in things and refused to allow the court martial to take place.
11. He became ill, and was discharged from the service.
12. He recovered and resumed his teaching career.
13. The armament innovation for which he is best known was actually pioneered by other pilots; but he is the best known, and most accomplished, of the pilots utilizing the new armament.
14. His active combat field service lasted less than a year.

elmshoot

My Feedback: (6)

Boyd is a hero of warriors. Too bad peace time tends to shun them for not being PC.
I know of many Warriors who didn't take peace time well. The fraternity of airborne warriors tends to be lead by the PC guys thank god some are smart enough not to stifle that mentality but they are rare.
I knew both....
Sparky
BTW does anybody remember Desert Storm? It will be 25 years ago this weekend. My squadron will be reassembling in Las Vegas this coming weekend to salute our accomplishments and remember those we left in the battle field.