Vote in the Best Pilot Poll.

[drgondog]

Originally Posted by Erich

Dan don't think there are enough pics of the NF's with good looking babe's .............. that has to be the biggest prob.

The daytime fighters were fooling around with NF girlfriends when the NF's were 'working'

[Navigator2]

Best of WWII fighter pilots were Don Gentile and John Godfrey. Noted for their team work and that's what it's all about.

However, if longevity is scored high then you've got to give it to Brig. Gen. Robin Olds. WWII to Vietnam and then some. When he took command of his unit in Thailand with North Vietnam as their AO, he told he's young pilots, "ok, I'm the new guy and you're all pretty good, but in two weeks I will be the best in this outfit." Then he went out and became one of the few aces to come out of that war. And, he brought the others along with him in the process. Proving that self aggrandizement is a true principle as long as you bring others along with you.

Team work, something I didn't see scored in the former critiques, unless you consider "not loosing a wing man" as close.

[P-Popsie]

It's a pity this ended so quick there are a few names that definitely should of appeared such as "Mickey" Martin .Dave Shannon. But then there seems to have neen a major ommision as always of recognising the skills involved in flying massive heavily laden aircraft into hostile skys. Moreover when these heavies were used as low level marker planes for larger forces. This seems to of been a unilateral decision however favoring those pilots who had ample opportunity to butcher inexperienced pilots in unfamiliar aircraft. Lets face it the only man on that list who flew in combat with no legs at all received no votes. What exactly do you mean by best pilot?

[P-Popsie]

Thank you for proving the point There are many ways to consider a persons success as a pilot. I was unaware of either of the three gentelmen you mentioned Thanks.

[Drill Sergeant]

I will say Joe Foss. He came along at a time early in the War when the US badly needed an aggressive, fighter leader. Joe Foss was that man. He flew a plane (Grumman F4F Wildcat) that was outperformed by the enemy planes (Zero). He was a leader and a real hero.

All mentioned are worthy of the designation ‘best of the best’. I had the opportunity to know Mr. Foss, later in life, however and that, of course, colors my recommendation. He was a gentleman; a humble and honorable man.