HURRICANE FORCE

Group Capt. Billy Drake: A Gentleman and an Ace

- JAN TEGLER

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.