Just heard that the great French ace Pierre Clostermann has passed away. He wrote one of the greatest classics of aviation literature, 'The Big Show' which gives a vivid portrayal of the airwar over NW Europe.
I was looking for more information on him and found this. It does get confusing over the debate of weather a ground kill and a probable are equal to an air to air kill. I don't know what to think about this but the picture is nice. First time I seen hoods for the aircraft. http://koti.mbnet.fi/~jjuvonen/pilots_eng/cloclo_letter_eng.html
There has been controversy over claims etc, much of which was not of Clostermann's making and this is probably not the place to discuss. Far better to remember him this way - a typically vivid extract from 'The Big Show' . If you haven't read it, now would be a good time to do so ! http://www.flyandrive.com/munsterland2.htm
Some years ago, I had the good fortune to fly aircraft powered by radial engines. The memory and excitement of flying those planes has stayed with me to this day , and as a result, I am rather enthusiastic about piston-engined aircraft. The excerpt from "The Big Show" was so riveting, I immediately searched the web for more stories. Clostermann comes across as a very likable man and his style of writing made me feel as though I was with him in the cockpit. Here is another story and some photos of this hero in action. Needless to say, I will be getting the book. http://www.eagle.ca/~harry/aircraft/tempest/tbshow/index.htm
