the best

who was the best pilot ever this is your opinion im taking a poll

[Graeme]

Your definition of "best" ?

[Ginger.]

Mine is still tin legs Bader.He conquered being crippled,led,flew,fought,inspired his men with his manner, and never let the enemy best him while a prisoner.

Charles Kingsford Smith - Charles Lindburg - James Doolittle

The same question as always--what criteria?

same answer as always from me: Stuka pilot Hans Rudel.

[Barrett]

Rudel is AWFULLY hard to top as the outstanding combat aviator of all time.
Single most important aviator (other than Wilbur & Orville) probably has to be Jimmy Doolittle: first aeronautics PhD, a ton of pioneering test and development work including the first instrument takeoff and landing; cross-country and closed-course racing; midwifing high-octane fuel between the US army and Shell Oil; and almost incidentally goading Japan into the decisive Battle of Midway. Command of two numbered air forces are almost ho-hum. He was also one of the finest stick-and-rudder guys of all time.

Der Stern von Afrika. Man kann nicht mehr sagen.

HORRIDO!

Need criteria - but Barrett I think is correct (great book on the SBD's by the way Barrett) - its Jimmy.

My own nominees for best:
Russian: Kazakov - WW I bias - don't like commies
French: Fonck - obviously - Guynemer pshhhhhhaw !
German: Rudel - MVR doesn't hold a candle !
British: McCudden - a personal bias
Italy: Baracca- nice logo on plane !
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY: BENNO FIALA ---- OBVIOUSLY
US: ole Jimmy as per Barrett
Belgian: Olieslagers - didn't bother recording victories - what a guy !


Give us criteria and we can have the same old fun debate !

Need criteria - but Barrett I think is correct (great book on the SBD's by the way Barrett) - its Jimmy.

My own nominees for best:
Russian: Kazakov - WW I bias - don't like commies
French: Fonck - obviously - Guynemer pshhhhhhaw !
German: Rudel - MVR doesn't hold a candle !
British: McCudden - a personal bias
Italy: Baracca - nice logo on plane !
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY: BENNO FIALA ---- OBVIOUSLY
US: ole Jimmy as per Barrett
Belgian: Olieslagers - didn't bother recording victories - what a guy !


Give us criteria and we can have the same old fun debate !