TOP 10 GREATEST FLYING ACES OF ALL TIME
This post about the greatest fighter pilots is dedicated to the all those who fought in the WWI and WWII. It is to remind the world about those fine individuals who changed the course of modern aviation. In should be kept in mind that this top ten ranking is not based on any biases. The criteria to be used for ranking is based on the number of hits, performances in critical war times, fame and how their flying combats changed the course of war. Some of you might be aware of the fact that most of the flying aces belong to Germany. There is no doubt in saying that the German pilots outplayed and outmatched the allied pilots in a number of ways. Moreover, some Russian and American pilots will also be added into the list keeping in view the extraordinary performances they exhibited. With this said, here is the list of the 10 best flying aces of all time.
10. JOSEPH CHRISTOPHER JR.
During the Korean War, this American fighter pilot shot down 16 or more enemy pilots. It was due to his heroism, patriotism and critical wartime performance that he was awarded the Silver Star and a number of other aviation awards. It should be noted here that he is regarded as the best jet tiger pilot in modern aviation.
Image Source: www.candiler.com.tr
9. JOHNNIE JOHNSON-JAMES EDGAR
This man participated in more than 1000 combat missions for the British Royal Air Force. He got 38 confirmed hits. However, historians and wartime analysts still tend to be critical of some of his claims, but overall, there is an agreement that he was one of the best pilots Britain had. He also participated in the Korean War from the American side.
Image Source: oldafsarge.blogspot.com
8. KURT WELTER
This WWII ace is one among the many German fighter pilots who got the most number of kills. He got a total of 63 victories, most of which were achieved during the night time. Moreover, he was also one of the best pilots the German Luftwaffe had during WWII. Till the present date, he is at the number 1 spot for the most kills using a jet aircraft.
Image Source: www.luftwaffe39-45.historia.nom.br
7. ALEXANDER POKRYSHKIN
This Russian Fighter Pilot “Hero of the Soviet Union” three times in addition to being awarded four times the Order of Lenin and many more. He is the one to be credited for changing the tactics of the Soviet Air Force during the WWII. He participated in more than 560 combat mission and got 59 confirm kills. He achieved those kills in the following manner: 14 in 1941, 7 in 1942, 55 in 1943, 4 or more in 1944.
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
6. ERNST UDET
This WWI flying ace is credited for more than 60 confirm kills. He is considered to be the best German Ace to have survived WWI. You will also be interested to know that he was under the leadership of Baron Von Richthofen, remembered as the Deadly Red Baron. Unfortunately, he committed suicide in 1941 for reasons that are not known with certainty.
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
5. WILLIAM AVERY
Credited with 72 or more confirm kills, this Canadian Flying Ace was the best fighter pilot Canada had. As the country was under the British Empire at that time, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He shot down more than 25 enemy planes in merely 12 days which is a record in itself.
Image Source: ontariowarmemorials.blogspot.com
4. IVAN KOZHEDUB
With 65 or more confirmed victories, this Soviet Flying Ace is still considered to be the best fighter pilot Russia ever had. In WWII, he took part in more than 330 combat missions and was able to bring down a number of trained German Pilots. It is important to mention here that the German Fighter Pilots were much more trained and competent at the start of WWII. However, things changed drastically at the end of the war. He also one of those few fighter pilots who managed to bring down the super-fast Me-262 German Jets.
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
3. HIROYOSHI NISHIZAWA
He is remembered as the Best Japanese Flying Ace of all time. He is credited for more than 80 confirmed victories during the WWII. There is some uncertainty in terms of these claims as they Japanese used to count the number of victories for each unit instead of individuals.
Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org
2. THE RED BARON
He happens to be the most feared and notorious German fighter pilot of all time. He was a daredevil from the very start of his life. Although he had joined the Luftwaffe as a bombardier, but soon he realized the fact i.e. he was born to be the best fighter pilot. He is credited for bringing down more than 80 or 90 allied pilots during the WWI. Furthermore, a number of wartime analysts are of the view that the number of kills he achieved were much more. One of this victims included the top British Ace, Lanoe Hawker. Unfortunately, he was unable to live through the war.
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
1. ERICH HARTMANN
Erich Hartmann is the best and the greatest flying ace of all time. Moreover, he is also the greatest flying ace of World War II. There is no sort of disagreement among the wartime analysts and experts in this regard, all of whom are agreed on the fact that this man achieved more than 300 confirmed aerial victories. The actual estimates are about 350 or more confirmed kills. He is also remembered for being the only flying ace with more than 50 victories who was never shot down during his flying career. He was also able to live through the War.
Image Source: www.findagrave.com
