모두
← Back to Squawk list
WWII Aircraft Facts
Absolutely amazing (American) World War 2 statistics and photos. I have always known that aircrew had the highest fatality rate but the loss rate (and cost of war) detailed below is absolutely horrific. (pippaettore.com) 기타...
Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Was reading a book not long ago, seems some British pilots had less than 40hrs of time in any aircraft before going into combat.
Young daring young men thinking they were bullet proof gave there lives to make us free.
I cannot even think of what it must have been like inside a burning bomber that you could not get out of and spend many minutes waiting for the end. May they all rest in peace now.
Young daring young men thinking they were bullet proof gave there lives to make us free.
I cannot even think of what it must have been like inside a burning bomber that you could not get out of and spend many minutes waiting for the end. May they all rest in peace now.
Anytime a 24 year old was considered the "Old Man" on a squadron and had been promoted to Squadron Leader (Major) then you knew mortality was high and survival was the top quality for promotion. Those not familiar with Douglas Bader, a double amputee and Hurricane pilot might read of his exemplary service might read of him in awe. http://acepilots.com/british/bader.html
Bader was also a Spitfire driver and was flying one when he was either rammed by a BF 109 or shot down by friendly fire from a Spitfire over France. Undetermined, and much speculated about. He was later Knighted and his funeral was attended by none other than Adolf Galland, who befriended him after his capture and remained so their entire lives. Wiki has a pretty good quickie on him, and he was a "Bob Hoover" caliber guy in my book. Ain't many of them. Awe is correct, for sure. Look for the story about how he responded to the derision of the squadron members upon meeting their new squadron commander, with peg legs! And for you actual Pilots out there, think about a tailwheel and 1650 horsepower, and three hours time in type! If you read the stats, above, they must have had some good flight instructors and more than a few students ill suited for their chosen endeavor. Cheers, John.
There is definitely something about amputee pilots....as flight surgeon, I had two of them on Sea Kings and were both bad asses flying off bouncing destroyers in the North Atlantic. A totally different breed in a coddled society.
Too much dependence on electronics
I first heard of Douglas Bader back in the 50's. Our neighbor was the PIO at March AFB and his wife a British War Bride. Mr. Bader was her hero, and among her favorite war recollections.
Today loss of a few aircraft brings demands for Congressional investigations and widespread condemnation in the press.