Jet Age Warrior – A perfectionist in the most dangerous game

With Paul Wood of the Warbird Heritage Foundation at the controls, this super-rare North American F-86A, N48178, flies above the clouds of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The F-86 is currently owned by Air Heritage LLC. (Photo by John Dibbs/Facebook.com/theplanepicture)

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In only 30 missions, Capt. Ralph S. Parr downed 10 enemy aircraft, becoming the 11th double jet ace on the last day of the Korean War. Having just landed from a combat mission, the four of us were walking casually from our squadron’s sandbagged revetments towards the operations building, when the deafening engine whine of another returning flight of F-86 Sabrejets caught our attention. At the time, all fighter-interceptor pilots instinctively checked the gun ports...

PARDON THE INTERRUPTION

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All the stories featured in Flight Journal are as unique and varied as the airplanes and warriors who flew them. From popular warbirds like the P-51 Mustang and Me 109 to the Lockheed SR-71 and futuristic hypersonic fighters, we cover the whole spectrum of aviation. We’ve heard from countless readers over the years about how much they enjoy the compelling stories and beautiful photography.