About strafing Aces

[Daniel BASTIEN]

Hello , Does any one knows which 8th Air Force pilot got the highest score in aircraft strafing ? Regards

 

[eagledad]

Daniel,

The top 3 strafing aces of the 8th Air Force:

Elwyn G. Righetti 27 strafing victories
Joseph L. Thury 25.5 strafing victories
John D. Landers 20 strafing victories

Source: "Fighters of the Mighty Eighth" by William N. Hess and Thomas G. Ivie

Eagledad

 

[Daniel BASTIEN]

Daniel,

The top 3 strafing aces of the 8th Air Force:

Elwyn G. Righetti 27 strafing victories
Joseph L. Thury 25.5 strafing victories
John D. Landers 20 strafing victories

Source: "Fighters of the Mighty Eighth" by William N. Hess and Thomas G. Ivie

Eagledad

Thank you very much, eagle Dad Regards

 

[eagledad]

Thank you very much, eagle Dad Regards

You are most welcome!

 

[Checkertail20]

I didn't know there was such a thing as strafing aces.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

It's better to kill 'em on the ground than in the air.

I'm a Tejano. We took out Santa Anna while they slept at San Jacinto. Every bit as much a victory, and with a lot less sweat.

 

[glennasher]

It was damnably dangerous, maybe more dangerous than air-to-air, with all the AAA around most Luftwaffe airfields.

 

[Snautzer01]

It was damnably dangerous, maybe more dangerous than air-to-air, with all the AAA around most Luftwaffe airfields.

Allies did develope tactics which worked but still a dangerous job.

 

[GregP]

Technically, an "Ace" shoots down five or more airborne, armed, manned aircraft in combat.

Anyone who strafes by definition is shooting at a ground target.

Is it dangerous to strafe? Since the AAA guns and small arms are there, and most are shooting at YOU when you strafe, yes.

I don't call them aces. Neither do I call someone who shoots down five V-1s an Ace. The target is dangerous, to be sure. It is also non-maneuvering.

I suppose definitions could use some tightening up, but I definitely respect the guys who caused so much ground damage. I'm just not sure they are "Aces."

I'm sure we all recognize what I mean when I say, "Locomotive Ace," but it doesn't mean a flying train.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

[...] but it doesn't mean a flying train.

I'd pay cash money to see Rob piloting one of those.

 

[MiTasol]

they had multiple pilots - one in the tow plane and one in each of the gliders

 

[SaparotRob]

I'd pay cash money to see Rob piloting one of those.

Lemme' check my medicine cabinet first and I'll see what I can do.

 

[MiTasol]

Does the C-47 Skytrain count?

 

[Shortround6]

Technically, an "Ace" shoots down five or more airborne, armed, manned aircraft in combat.

Hmmm. WW I ballons,
Airborne(not really moving)
manned
armed (usually not in the balloon but in ground batteries).

 

[fubar57]

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

View attachment 801677

Does the C-47 Skytrain count?

So long as I'm not aboard!

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Hmmm. WW I ballons,
Airborne(not really moving)
manned
armed (usually not in the balloon but in ground batteries).

Considering how flimsy the aircraft they flew were, I'm willing to give them some rubber room on that.

 

[MiTasol]

Hmmm. WW I ballons,
Airborne(not really moving)
manned
armed (usually not in the balloon but in ground batteries).

Moving relative to the wind even if tethered to the ground so maybe moving?

That is the problem with English - too many variables/nuances.

 

[Snautzer01]

Hmmm. WW I ballons,
Airborne(not really moving)
manned
armed (usually not in the balloon but in ground batteries).

Take a look at Balloon buster - Wikipedia

It was a tad more difficult and dangerous then one might think.

 

[special ed]

Ask Frank Luke - The one they named a base after.