While aces are generally thought of exclusively as fighter pilots, but such status has been also accorded to gunners on bombers or reconnaissance aircraft, and to observers in two-seater fighters such as the early Bristol F-2b, and Navigators/weapons officers in aircraft like the F-4 Phantom. Because pilots often teamed with different air crew members, anContinue reading “Charles B. DeBellevue – Top American Ace of the Vietnam War – A Non-Pilot – First Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) Ace”
Category Archives: Air Aces
“Triple Ace” Shot 17 aircraft in a Day – Hans-Joachim Marseille – Most Amazing and Ingenious Combat Pilot
To be a Triple-ace in a day, the pilot must have destroyed 15 enemy aircraft in a single day. This has been achieved by only five pilots ever. All from the Luftwaffe. Hans-Joachim Marseille, also called “Stern von Afrika” (Star of Africa) by the Germans, shot down 17 Allied fighters in three sorties over North AfricaContinue reading ““Triple Ace” Shot 17 aircraft in a Day – Hans-Joachim Marseille – Most Amazing and Ingenious Combat Pilot”
“Triple Ace” American Fighter Pilot “Robin Olds” – World War II and Vietnam War
Robin Olds was a “triple ace” American fighter pilot with a combined total of 17 victories in World War II and the Vietnam War. He retired in 1973 as a Brigadier General of the United States Air Force (USAF) after 30 years of service. The son of Army Air Force Major General Robert Olds, he wasContinue reading ““Triple Ace” American Fighter Pilot “Robin Olds” – World War II and Vietnam War”
Fighter Ace Lydia Litvyak “White Lily” – Highest Aerial Victories by a Female Fighter Pilot
Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak also known as Lilya, was a fighter pilot in the Soviet air Force during World War II. Historians’ estimates for her total solo victories from five to twelve, and two to four shared kills in her 66 combat sorties. In about two years of operations, she was the first female fighter pilot toContinue reading “Fighter Ace Lydia Litvyak “White Lily” – Highest Aerial Victories by a Female Fighter Pilot”
German Ace – General Adolf Galland – 104 Aerial Victories – all against the Western Allies
Adolf Josef Ferdinand Galland was a German Luftwaffe General and flying ace who served throughout the WW II in Europe. Flew 705 combat missions. On four occasions, he survived being shot down, and was credited with 104 aerial victories, all against the Western Allies. He became a glider pilot in 1929. In 1932, he graduated asContinue reading “German Ace – General Adolf Galland – 104 Aerial Victories – all against the Western Allies”
“Johnnie” Johnson – Highest Scoring Western Fighter Ace in WW II Against Germany
Air Vice Marshal James Edgar “Johnnie” Johnson, CB, CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar. A Royal Air Force (RAF) flying Ace of the World War II. He was a qualified engineer, and a passionate rugby player. Johnson was interested in aviation. When applied to join the RAF, he was initially rejected, first on social,Continue reading ““Johnnie” Johnson – Highest Scoring Western Fighter Ace in WW II Against Germany”
Ace of Aces. Manfred von Richthofen “Red Baron”
Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen, more commonly known as Baron von Richthofen, and famous as the “Red Baron”, was a fighter pilot with the Deutsche Luftstreitkräfte (German Air Force, air arm of the Imerial German Army) during World War I. He is considered the ace-of-aces for his 80 air combat victories. Originally a cavalryman, Richthofen transferred to theContinue reading “Ace of Aces. Manfred von Richthofen “Red Baron””
Fighter Ace Douglas Bader – Determined Dogmatic and Fearless
Gp Capt Sir Douglas Robert Bader, CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC&Bar, DL, FRAeS was a Royal Air Force (RAF) flying ace of World War II. He was credited with 22 aerial victories, four shared victories, six probable, one shared probable and 11 enemy aircraft damaged. Bader joined the RAF in 1928, and was commissioned inContinue reading “Fighter Ace Douglas Bader – Determined Dogmatic and Fearless”
Fighter Aces – Erich Hartmann – 352 Aerial Victories
Erich Alfred Hartmann was a German fighter pilot, serving with Luftwaffe, during World War II and the most successful fighter ace in the history of aerial warfare. He flew 1,404 combat missions and faced 825 air combat engagements. He was credited with shooting down 352 Allied aircraft, which included 350 Soviet and 2 American. In his flyingContinue reading “Fighter Aces – Erich Hartmann – 352 Aerial Victories”
Air Power Asia 