[womenfly2]

.... Thank you Mr Abbott. I believe as you, each fighter pilot would personalize his own plane. Maybe in a fix he may fly someone else's, before he did his thing, but only if need be.

Painting ones plane to reflect the pilots inner feelings, he make a bond with it, making it become one with himself. A friend that would be there in combat, someone he could rely on, even if it was only steel and fabric. But you have to believe in something.

Flying his own aircraft was more of an inner personnel feeling, a secure feeling of knowing ones own stead. Many pilots did come from a calvary background. Riding someone else's horse in combat could be very insecure. Do not know if Udet did.

We pilots do have an ego, that's for sure. Until something scares the "be jesus" out of us and we are humble again ... but not for long.

So, Mr. Abbott is correct, one does not only look at a picture but also one needs to know the man.

Just my opinion.

Thanks everyone for all the comments, Taz, RagIII, Intrepid, .... and keeping this on an adult level.

WF2