Well here's an astonishing fact

[Simpo Two]

You've probably all heard of James Doolittle, who led the one-way bombing raid on Japan in WW2.

Well he won the Schneider Trophy race in 1925 as well!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schneider_Trophy

[FourWheelDrift]

Yep, for someone who's name was Doolittle he certainly did a lot.

[aeropilot]

Simpo Two said:

You've probably all heard of James Doolittle, who led the one-way bombing raid on Japan in WW2.

Well he won the Schneider Trophy race in 1925 as well!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schneider_Trophy

Actually, he won the 'Triple Crown' of air racing, (and maybe the only person to do so?) as he also won the Bendix Trophy in 1931 flying a Laird Super Solution biplane and the Thompson Trophy in 1932 in a Gee-Bee R1.
He was also the pioneer of instrument flying, being the first ever person to take-off, fly and land an aircraft using instruments alone, without being able to see out of the cockpit.

[Simpo Two]

Interesting stuff, thanks. In fact it's unusual that such 'free spirits' would be considered suitable for senior military service.

[eharding]

Simpo Two said:

Interesting stuff, thanks. In fact it's unusual that such 'free spirits' would be considered suitable for senior military service.

I've flown with some very senior RAF officers, in an unofficial context.

Having a "free spirit", and knowing when and where to use it, is clearly a part of what it takes to make it to the very highest ranks.

[Eric Mc]

And he lived until 1993, aged 97 - putting a lie to the "there are no old bold pilots" view.

[Ayahuasca]

The man and his machine.

[Simpo Two]

What pioneers do we have of his ilk these days? Or is there nothing left to pioneer?

[Lost soul]

I think it was him who (between the wars) was court mashaled for demonstrating how aircraft could destroy a battleship

[FourWheelDrift]

Lost soul said:

I think it was him who (between the wars) was court mashaled for demonstrating how aircraft could destroy a battleship

That was Billy Mitchell - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Mitchell

[FourWheelDrift]

Simpo Two said:

What pioneers do we have of his ilk these days? Or is there nothing left to pioneer?

Steve Fosset was possibly the most recent with the same adventure spirit across many forms of aviation.

[Lost soul]

FourWheelDrift said:

Lost soul said:

I think it was him who (between the wars) was court mashaled for demonstrating how aircraft could destroy a battleship

That was Billy Mitchell - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Mitchell

Ahhh thanks

Still a funny story

[Simpo Two]

Lost soul said:

I think it was him who (between the wars) was court mashaled for demonstrating how aircraft could destroy a battleship

Billy Mitchell: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Mitchell

Rickenbacker supported him at the court martial. You made the link because Doolittle flew Mitchell bombers!

ETA: Arse!

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 26th May 17:49

[Ayahuasca]

Simpo Two said:

Lost soul said:

I think it was him who (between the wars) was court mashaled for demonstrating how aircraft could destroy a battleship

Billy Mitchell: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Mitchell

Rickenbacker supported him at the court martial. You made the link because Doolittle flew Mitchell bombers!

ETA: Arse!

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 26th May 17:49

Doolittle may have flown Mitchell bombers, but given his background maybe he would have been just as good in a different Mitchell's product - the S.5 racer that evolved into a rather famous Mitchell fighter.

[Lost soul]

Simpo Two said:

You made the link because Doolittle flew Mitchell bombers!

Probably right

[jmorgan]

Sure there is a film somewhere of them taking off the carrier in the bombers..... would not have like to have been the first one off

[FourWheelDrift]

jmorgan said:

Sure there is a film somewhere of them taking off the carrier in the bombers..... would not have like to have been the first one off

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHnwxRfzR2A

Doolittle was the first to take off USS Hornet, shortest run to get airbourne. Hornet turned into the wind and he got away, but following Japanese submarine warnings in the area they took off at the maximum possible range.

More here including a later interview with Doolittle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlFAk0NAJko

Edited by FourWheelDrift on Wednesday 26th May 19:43

[Eric Mc]

Ayahuasca said:

Simpo Two said:

Lost soul said:

I think it was him who (between the wars) was court mashaled for demonstrating how aircraft could destroy a battleship

Billy Mitchell: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Mitchell

Rickenbacker supported him at the court martial. You made the link because Doolittle flew Mitchell bombers!

ETA: Arse!

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 26th May 17:49

Doolittle may have flown Mitchell bombers, but given his background maybe he would have been just as good in a different Mitchell's product - the S.5 racer that evolved into a rather famous Mitchell fighter.

That is often quoted although there was very little crossover between the two aircraft - excpt for the fact that they were both all metal monoplanes. The Rolls Royce R engine used in the S5 and S6/S6B aircraft was developed into the Griffon - which did power later Mark Spitfires.

[SystemParanoia]

Simpo Two said:

What pioneers do we have of his ilk these days? Or is there nothing left to pioneer?

Space... the final frontier

[Ayahuasca]

Eric Mc said:

Ayahuasca said:

Simpo Two said:

Lost soul said:

I think it was him who (between the wars) was court mashaled for demonstrating how aircraft could destroy a battleship

Billy Mitchell: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Mitchell

Rickenbacker supported him at the court martial. You made the link because Doolittle flew Mitchell bombers!

ETA: Arse!

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 26th May 17:49

Doolittle may have flown Mitchell bombers, but given his background maybe he would have been just as good in a different Mitchell's product - the S.5 racer that evolved into a rather famous Mitchell fighter.

That is often quoted although there was very little crossover between the two aircraft - excpt for the fact that they were both all metal monoplanes. The Rolls Royce R engine used in the S5 and S6/S6B aircraft was developed into the Griffon - which did power later Mark Spitfires.

A Griffon, what's that then?