What is the first thing that comes to your mind when hear the term “flying ace”? For those who do now know, a flying ace is the one who has done wonders in the domain of flying. A flying ace is not just about flying, it is more about bringing down enemy aircrafts. Not every pilot in the world has combat experience. Even the pilots who are fighting in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan do not happen to have the real combat experience. More specifically, having a combat experience is all about flying while an enemy aircraft is chasing you. It is not easy to bring down another fighter plane. This post is dedicated to all those great fighter pilots who brought down multiple fighter planes through the course of the Two World Wars. Here are the 10 greatest flying aces in history.
10. Joseph Christopher Jr.
It is believed that throughout the span of the Korean War, this Ace American Pilot was able to bring down 15 or more enemy aircrafts. Different sources have reported differing amount of estimates. However, there is a common agreement that he did bring down around 15 enemy planes. For his bravery and expertise in the domain of combat, he was awarded with the silver with a number of other awards.
- James Edgar
Also known by the name of Johnnie Johnson, this British Fighter Pilot took part in more than 1000 combat missions. He is still considered to be one of the most highly decorated fighter pilots in the history of England. In terms of confirmed hits, the estimates are about 38. He had also participated in the Korean War.
- Kurt Welter
Here we have one of the many great German Fighter Pilots. He was able to bring down a total of 63 enemy planes. That’s not all, as most of his victories were achieved during the night time. In addition, he is also the leading flying ace in the world who has brought down the most number of planes on a jet aircraft.
luftwaffe39-45.historia.nom.br
- Alexander Pokryshkin
Here we have a fighter pilot from the Soviet Union. He is credited for having 59 confirmed hits, all of which were achieved during the Second World War. Moreover, he is also the one who formally introduced flying tactics and techniques in the Soviet Air Force. He was also awarded the highest award, Hero of the Soviet Union, a total of three times.
- Ernst Udet
This German Fighter Ace achieved a total of 60 aerial victories all on his own. It should be noted that the Germans used to count one to one combats as victories in comparison to the allied forces which also considered team victories as individual ones for all the members. However, this great fighter pilot committed suicide or was killed for unknown reasons.
- William Avery
Here we have a Canadian Fighter Pilot, who is undoubtedly, the Greatest Canadian Fighter Ace in History. He was able to bag a total of 72 aerial victories as confirmed by different sources. In addition, he also set a record of bringing down 25 enemy planes in a total of 12 days which is something no other pilot has achieved.
- Ivan Kozhedub
Ivan Kozhedub is credited for being the greatest Soviet Fighter Pilot in the history of the country. He is credited for more than 65 aerial victories, most of which were achieved against highly trained German pilots. It is critical to note that German Fighter Pilots were highly trained and skilled professionals. At the start of war, the allied pilots lost most of their combat missions primarily because of the superior training of the Germans. However, things started to change as the war approached its end. The German Luftwaffe never replaced their skilled fighter pilots with the new ones. On the other hand, the Allied Forces used to send every single pilot who brought down a number of enemy crafts back to the training centers so that the trainees can learn from their experience.
- Hiroyoshi Nishizawa
With a total of 80 aerial victories, Nishizawa is considered to be the Greatest Japanese Fighter Ace in history. In terms of his total victories, there are a number of uncertainties which have been raised. However, there is no doubt in saying that this Japanese Pilot was dedicated to his line of work.
- The Red Baron
There is no other fighter ace in the world who has been the most feared than the Red Baron. He is remembered as being the best fighter ace of WWI. It has been reported that he was able to bring down a total of 80 or 90 planes, but there are a number of historians who believe that his actual count was much higher.
- Erich Hartmann
At number 1 we have Erich Hartmann, the German Fighter Pilot, who has more than 300 confirmed aerial victories. The German estimates in this regard are 350 or more. Most of you will be amazed to know that most of his victories were achieved during the night time and that he was just 20 years old when he had joined the war. He is also the only flying ace in the world who had never been brought down by an enemy air craft throughout the course of the WWII. He is for sure the greatest fighter pilot in history.
