General / Off-Topic One helluva pilot

[B Wald]

So, I was reading up on WW2 flying aces while on a long SC flight, and found my new favourite: Captain Douglas Bader, from Britain.

I'd heard of him before, but hadn't read up, and MAN, I'm glad I did. Google him, it's quite the read.

Dude had NO LEGS!!! He'd lost them in a crash while stunt-flying a biplane, but he was so good the RAF kept him, even modifying a Spitty with a hand-operated tail rudder.

He was a little slow on the scramble (for obvious reasons), but once in the cockpit, his disability became a superpower: the fact his body ended at the waist meant there were no feet or legs for his blood to pool into, so he could cope with much higher G forces than your average pilot.

Look this man up, it's an inspiring read, the stuff of legend. Douglas Bader, should've been called "Douglas Badass".

O7

 

[thelion]

Sorry old chap but I thought this thread was about me?

Bader was an absolute whizz old man.

 

[JT442]

There's an old film of his WW2 exploits called 'Reach for the Sky'. Kenneth Moore, I think.
Famous for creating the 'Big Wing' out of Duxford.

To be honest, he did better after the war, leading the Victory flypast over London, and going on to provide flying opportunities for disabled wannabe pilots.

He was not the only legless pilot either....

 

[thelion]

There's an old film of his WW2 exploits called 'Reach for the Sky'. Kenneth Moore, I think.
Famous for creating the 'Big Wing' out of Duxford.

To be honest, he did better after the war, leading the Victory flypast over London, and going on to provide flying opportunities for disabled wannabe pilots.

He was not the only legless pilot either....

I can vouch for that old man, what.

One too many pink gins consumed at the officers club, what what!

 

[B Wald]

Sorry old chap but I thought this thread was about me?

Bader was an absolute whizz old man.

Apologies, quite right: YOU are my favourite flying ace

But imagine what "Darth Bader" could've done in an F35 Condor!

 

[bladerunner900]

There's an old film of his WW2 exploits called 'Reach for the Sky'. Kenneth Moore, I think.
Famous for creating the 'Big Wing' out of Duxford.

To be honest, he did better after the war, leading the Victory flypast over London, and going on to provide flying opportunities for disabled wannabe pilots.

He was not the only legless pilot either....

It was Air Vice-Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory who proposed the air fighting tactic "Big wing". Douglas Bader 'lent his weight' to the proposal. Just thought I'd put that straight for you. Carry on chaps. o7

 

[B Wald]

It was Air Vice-Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory who proposed the air fighting tactic "Big wing". Just thought I'd put that straight for you. Carry on chaps. o7

Bader was his most vocal supporter though. It even got him in a spot o' trouble a couple times.

 

[bladerunner900]

Bader was his most vocal supporter though. It even got him in a spot o' trouble a couple times.

Yes. You are quite right.

 

[Arry]

He escaped Coldits twice; even the whipper snappers have heard of that place. 2nd vas after they took his legs away from him!

The man probably 'invented' the word Ace, as in pilot; just by the life he lead.

 

[JT442]

It was Air Vice-Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory who proposed the air fighting tactic "Big wing". Douglas Bader 'lent his weight' to the proposal. Just thought I'd put that straight for you. Carry on chaps. o7

Meh, what do I know.... I was on helicopters.............

 

[Steve50]

Bader was a legend that's for sure and he's one of my 'air' heroes along with Gibson, Mannock, Ball, McCudden etc.
and yes, Reach for the Sky is an excellent film.