August 2020 Articles

• I shot down my first Bf 109 during the first daylight raid on Berlin by American B-17s on March 4, 1944. I was flying a P-51B with the birdcage canopy. The weather was extremely bad, and many of the B-17 groups had aborted, with the exception of a couple of boxes, as I remember. I […]

  

  Flying the P-51 in Combat

  I shot down my first Bf 109 during the first daylight raid on Berlin by American B-17s on March 4, 1944. I was flying a P-51B with the birdcage canopy. The weather was extremely bad, and many of the B-17 groups had aborted, with the exception of a couple of boxes, as I remember. I […]
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• Gen. Francesco Fagiolo, then Sottotenente of the Italian 360a Squadriglia CT, was the first fighter pilot in his unit to engage the P-38. Stationed in North Africa in November of 1942, the Italians knew nothing of the soon-to-be-famous Lockheeds until the 14th FG arrived over their field. From a series of interviews and the private […]

  

  Macchi 202 vs. P-38L: An Italian fighter pilot tangles with a Lightning

  Gen. Francesco Fagiolo, then Sottotenente of the Italian 360a Squadriglia CT, was the first fighter pilot in his unit to engage the P-38. Stationed in North Africa in November of 1942, the Italians knew nothing of the soon-to-be-famous Lockheeds until the 14th FG arrived over their field. From a series of interviews and the private […]
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• During WW II, we in the military were not allowed to save notes, keep diaries or take pictures, and being a Boy Scout type, I lived by the rules. Now, decades later, when I’m called to write about some of my flight experiences, I wish that I had bent the rules a little. Thank goodness […]

  

  Butcher Bird Hellcat & Corsair: A test pilot recalls

  During WW II, we in the military were not allowed to save notes, keep diaries or take pictures, and being a Boy Scout type, I lived by the rules. Now, decades later, when I’m called to write about some of my flight experiences, I wish that I had bent the rules a little. Thank goodness […]
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• Peering out of the Navy Club window, I begin to realize how beautiful Tokyo looks in springtime. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom and the locals are sitting outside, eating their lunches and enjoying the sunny day. Seated in front of me is a man—old enough to be my grandfather—who is recalling a tale […]

  

  Memoirs of a Japanese fighter pilot: The last-ditch efforts of the squadron of aces

  Peering out of the Navy Club window, I begin to realize how beautiful Tokyo looks in springtime. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom and the locals are sitting outside, eating their lunches and enjoying the sunny day. Seated in front of me is a man—old enough to be my grandfather—who is recalling a tale […]
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• The 339th Fighter Group flew P-51 Mustangs out of RAF Fowlmere with great success. When the war ended and the final totals were recorded, the group had destroyed 692 enemy aircraft (air and ground). But what made them stand out was the fact that they had been in position to fight large numbers of Me […]

  

  Jet Killers

  The 339th Fighter Group flew P-51 Mustangs out of RAF Fowlmere with great success. When the war ended and the final totals were recorded, the group had destroyed 692 enemy aircraft (air and ground). But what made them stand out was the fact that they had been in position to fight large numbers of Me […]
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• The European theater held more surprises for the Allies than the Pacific theater did. The Germans were leaders in developing state-of-the-art weapons, and if the war had lasted into 1946, it might have held some very lethal surprises for New York City and Washington, D.C. Using conventional aircraft, the AAF and RAF had to tangle […]

  

  Dueling in the Fast Lane: A Mustang pilot nails his prey

  The European theater held more surprises for the Allies than the Pacific theater did. The Germans were leaders in developing state-of-the-art weapons, and if the war had lasted into 1946, it might have held some very lethal surprises for New York City and Washington, D.C. Using conventional aircraft, the AAF and RAF had to tangle […]
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• When Pearl Harbor was attacked, I was home at the time. It was a Sunday, and we heard it on the radio like everybody else. I was living with my parents and working for American Airlines at LaGuardia Field. We were outfitting planes to go overseas, converting commercial airplanes for use by the military. I […]

  

  Sole Survivors: A Pilot and his Marine Corps Mitchell

  When Pearl Harbor was attacked, I was home at the time. It was a Sunday, and we heard it on the radio like everybody else. I was living with my parents and working for American Airlines at LaGuardia Field. We were outfitting planes to go overseas, converting commercial airplanes for use by the military. I […]
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• “Pappy” Gunn had served in the U.S. Navy for twenty years before retiring to start airlines in Hawaii and the Philippines. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he returned to the service — and received a Distinguished Flying Cross for flying in medical supplies to besieged troops on the Bataan Peninsula. He was evacuated to Australia, […]

  

  The Legend of Maj. Paul “Pappy” Gunn

  “Pappy” Gunn had served in the U.S. Navy for twenty years before retiring to start airlines in Hawaii and the Philippines. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he returned to the service — and received a Distinguished Flying Cross for flying in medical supplies to besieged troops on the Bataan Peninsula. He was evacuated to Australia, […]
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