THE FLYING LEGENDS AIRSHOW at Duxford, UK, brings together a magnificent group of WW II U.S. and European aces. Flight Journal has aided in sponsoring a large contingent of the Yanks on hand and joined with them as they revisited the bases they once flew from and where they met with their British and German counterparts. All the pilots in attendance had enjoyed great success in combat, but each had his own style. Four of the participants, Maj. John Kirla, Col. Robert Rankin, Group Capt. Billy Drake, and Maj. Gen. Don Strait, prove that aces come in all shapes and sizes and personalities. Different as they might be personally, however, these four men share a trait found in most successful fighter pilots, especially those who become aces. When presented with an opportunity for combat, they seize it.
Whether leading or supporting others, “Big John,” “Shorty,” “Billy” and the “Jersey Jerk” all possessed the will to go to a fight when it was at hand. In this issue, we present a few of Billy Drake’s flying experiences.
This story is from the September - October 2020 edition of Flight Journal.
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This story is from the September - October 2020 edition of Flight Journal.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Scourge of the Allied Fighters
IT HAD TO BE THE MOST HELPLESS FEELING in the world: you're at 25,000 feet over Europe knowing that your primary function is to drop bombs-or flying escort for the bombers while being a slow-moving target for some of the world's finest shooters. However, you have John Browning's marvelous .50 caliber invention to give some degree of protection. Unfortunately, you're absolutely helpless against flak. Piloting and gunnery skills play no role in a game where sheer chance makes life and death decisions. For that reason, the Krupp 88 mm Flak 18/36/37 AA cannon could be considered WW II's ultimate stealth fighter. You never saw it coming.
ZERO MYTH, MYSTERY, AND FACT
A test pilot compares the A6M5 Zero to U.S. fighters
Fw 190 STURMBÖCKE
The Luftwaffe's \"Battering Rams\" against the USAAF heavy bombers
American BEAUTY
\"Forgotten Fifteenth\" top-scoring Mustang ace John J. Voll
BANSHEE WAIL!
Flying Skulls over Burma
KILLER CORSAIR
Albert Wells, Death Rattlers Ace
BACKSTREET BRAWLER
A young man, his Hurricane and the Battle of Britain
Still Flying After All These Years
One of the oldest airworthy J-3 Cubs
NOORDUYN NORSEMAN
Canada's rugged, fabric-covered workhorse
A good landing is one you can walk away from
NO, THIS IS NOT A SCENE FROM A MOVIE where the hero staggers away from a \"good landing\" on Mindoro, Philippine Islands, after being shot down by a Japanese Zero.