The Museum of Flight at BFI is sponsoring this panel of World War II fighter pilots on January 19, 2008 from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. My ex-fighter jock friend likes to boast about his exploits in the Hornet, but nothing compares to night dogfighting at the height of the war in 1944.

From the MOF website:

What was it like to fly a combat mission at night in the 1940s?

Find out on Saturday, January 19 at 2pm as an exciting panel of three night-flying aces recount their harrowing tales of airborne derring-do!

On July 4, 1944, while on an intruder mission on the Japanese island of Chichi Jima’s shipping capabilities, Lieutenant Junior Grade Fred Leroy Dungan found himself under attack by a group of 10 Rufe float planes. Alone and severely outnumbered, Dungan could have fled the situation. Instead, he valiantly turned into the oncoming attackers and managed to claim 4 victories in this one dogfight over the course of 30 minutes. By the end of the battle, Dungan was left with a bullet wound to the shoulder, but was able to execute a safe landing aboard the Yorktown. Dungan is credited with a total 7 confirmed victories in his career and one probable.

Richard H. “Dick” Rainforth is a retired Brigadier General in the U.S. Marine Corps and a docent at the Museum. He spent 31 years as a Marine aviator and has flown 34 different types of aircraft, including high performance jets.

Rounding out our panel will be Navy ace, Joseph D. “Jo-Jo” McGraw, one of only four aces to make their scores in the FM-2 version of the Wildcat. He flew some 50 missions, was shot down once and ended up with 5 confirmed kills, 3 probables and 3 damaged aircraft.

Don’t miss this special night-flying aces event!

http://www.museumofflight.org/Displa...tid%3D70087212

Much credit is due to these guys. Definately nothing like how things are done today, the personal level of the dogfight back then was amazing.