Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
I've been reading a book on Japanese Army Air Force Aces of WW2, and it made me wonder who the bravest fighter pilots of WW2 were.
I have a lot of respect for the Japanese pilots who flew the Nakajima Ki-27 (Type 97 Army Fighter). This was really outdated in 1941-42 compared to some of the opposition. The Ki-27 might be able to hold its own against an RAF Buffalo, but against the AVG's P-40B or USAAC P-40E, it was hopeless. Slow, armed with only 2 7.7mm mgs, and with no armour or self-sealing fuel tanks, the Ki-27 was a deathtrap by 1942.
But the Polish pilots who flew the PZL P.11c in 1939 against the Luftwaffe in 1939 were even braver. Hopelessly outclassed by the Bf 109D and Bf 109E, and hopelessly outnumbered as well, they had an even harder task to face.
Any other thoughts about pilots who flew outdated fighters, or faced hopeless odds?
I have a lot of respect for the Japanese pilots who flew the Nakajima Ki-27 (Type 97 Army Fighter). This was really outdated in 1941-42 compared to some of the opposition. The Ki-27 might be able to hold its own against an RAF Buffalo, but against the AVG's P-40B or USAAC P-40E, it was hopeless. Slow, armed with only 2 7.7mm mgs, and with no armour or self-sealing fuel tanks, the Ki-27 was a deathtrap by 1942.
But the Polish pilots who flew the PZL P.11c in 1939 against the Luftwaffe in 1939 were even braver. Hopelessly outclassed by the Bf 109D and Bf 109E, and hopelessly outnumbered as well, they had an even harder task to face.
Any other thoughts about pilots who flew outdated fighters, or faced hopeless odds?
Re: Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
The Marine fighter pilots who defended Midway comes to mind.
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Re: Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
In a war you can't choose your tools. At 1944 Finnish Air Force pilots were using a lot of obsolete fighters against Red Army Air Forces. Russians had La-5, Jak-7, Jak-9, Aircobra and even some Spitfire and Mustang planes.
Curtiss Hawk 75, Flying Squardon 32, http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentolaivue_32 statistics http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luettelo_L ... tappioista
Morane-Saulnier 406, Flying Squardon 28, http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentolaivue_28 statistics http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luettelo_L ... tappioista
Brewster (Buffalo), Flying Squardon 24, http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentolaivue_24 statistics http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luettelo_L ... tappioista
Brewster (Buffalo), Flying Squardon 26, http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentolaivue_26 statistics http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luettelo_L ... tappioista
Mostly in Finnish, but statistic is easy to understand. Statistics tells results as whole, not only with those types.
Curtiss Hawk 75, Flying Squardon 32, http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentolaivue_32 statistics http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luettelo_L ... tappioista
Morane-Saulnier 406, Flying Squardon 28, http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentolaivue_28 statistics http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luettelo_L ... tappioista
Brewster (Buffalo), Flying Squardon 24, http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentolaivue_24 statistics http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luettelo_L ... tappioista
Brewster (Buffalo), Flying Squardon 26, http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentolaivue_26 statistics http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luettelo_L ... tappioista
Mostly in Finnish, but statistic is easy to understand. Statistics tells results as whole, not only with those types.
A word irony is baked into the word history.
Re: Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
Hello!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polikarpov_I-5
Best regards, Aleks
The Soviet pilots used Polikarpov I-5 fighters which were considered obsolete even somewhere about 1935. Although these planes were used for ground attacks, this fact does not lessen the courage of the Soviet pilots, as these attacks were carried out by daylight and under conditions of German air superiority.Tim Smith wrote:Any other thoughts about pilots who flew outdated fighters, or faced hopeless odds?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polikarpov_I-5
Best regards, Aleks
Re: Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
Soviet Air Force 1942 ?Tim Smith wrote:
Any other thoughts about pilots who flew outdated fighters, or faced hopeless odds?
German Day fighters 1944 ?
A simple economist with an unhealthy interest in military and intelligence history.....
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Re: Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
For example, the Italian fighter pilots, "thanks" to Mussolini, were forced to fight (and they fought bravely) with really few and obsolete planes against the modern and decidedly better armoured Anglo-American aircrafts.Tim Smith wrote:Any other thoughts about pilots who flew outdated fighters, or faced hopeless odds?
"Et fia 'l combatter corto / che l'antiquo valor / nell'italici cor / non è ancor morto"
(Francesco Petrarca)
(Francesco Petrarca)
Re: Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
Swordfish pilots flying to attack the behamoth called Bismarck must rank up there.
Also the pilots flying the Grasshopper AO planes would get a vote or three
Regards
Andy H
Also the pilots flying the Grasshopper AO planes would get a vote or three
Regards
Andy H
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Re: Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
But as high as Esmonde's half-dozen Swordfish flying out from Manston in the murk of 12th February, 1942....?Swordfish pilots flying to attack the behamoth called Bismarck must rank up there
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Re: Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
Another example of the same Poles... England. The Spitfire was the "wonderwaffen" everyone praised. But the war was won by the not so good Hurricanes. The Poles et al in division (ie squadron) 303 got their numerous and striking victories in Hurricanes...Tim Smith wrote: But the Polish pilots who flew the PZL P.11c in 1939 against the Luftwaffe in 1939 were even braver. Hopelessly outclassed by the Bf 109D and Bf 109E, and hopelessly outnumbered as well, they had an even harder task to face.
How come they had so many striking successes? Fake?? NOT.
Easy. All the polish pilots were experienced, well trained pre-war pilots, veterans from 1939. For them, the not so good Hurricane was an enormous step forward...
While most of their english collegues, and many germans, were quickly educated pilots.
Re: Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
In fact there were no Spitfires or Mustangs flying against Finns. Research has proven that they were misidentified Soviet-made aircraft, such as Yak-9.In a war you can't choose your tools. At 1944 Finnish Air Force pilots were using a lot of obsolete fighters against Red Army Air Forces. Russians had La-5, Jak-7, Jak-9, Aircobra and even some Spitfire and Mustang planes.
Re: Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
Talking about Finns. Some of their pilots had massive successes. I dont remember the name or which plane he flew. Mikko, you surely know whom I mean?Mikko H. wrote: In fact there were no Spitfires or Mustangs flying against Finns. Research has proven that they were misidentified Soviet-made aircraft, such as Yak-9.
But his successes were even greater than these polish pilots form Squadron 303...
Re: Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
Hello!
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/finland.htm
Best regards, Aleks
Yes, Finns had quite a lot of pilots who scored aerial victories flying biplanes.Stephan wrote:Talking about Finns. Some of their pilots had massive successes.
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/finland.htm
Best regards, Aleks
Re: Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
I think that all fighter pilots were brave, even those who were flying up to date aircraft.
Some that I think were particularly brave though were those Swordfish pilots who attacked the German navy during the infamous 'Channel Dash', as well as those who flew the Gloster Gladiators against horrendous odds.
Some that I think were particularly brave though were those Swordfish pilots who attacked the German navy during the infamous 'Channel Dash', as well as those who flew the Gloster Gladiators against horrendous odds.
Re: Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
Probably those pilots flying P40's with defective engines covered up by greedy manufacturers, had they but known it, were the bravest!
Re: Bravest fighter pilots of WW2?
Probably those pilots flying P40's with defective engines covered up by greedy manufacturers, had they but known it, were the bravest!