Perry Dahl, one of the last living WWII fighter aces, dies at 101 (1 Viewer)

[Bum]

On Dec. 2, 2024, Perry Dahl, one of the last living American WWII aces who shot down five or more enemy aircraft, died after a storied 37-year career in the United States Army, Army Air Corps, U.S. Army Air Forces and U.S. Air Force. He was 101 years old.

Perry Dahl, one of the last living WWII fighter aces, dies at 101

Flying his P-38 Lightning, nicknamed Skidoo, Dahl shot down more than five enemy planes in the Pacific.

www.militarytimes.com

Rest in peace.... you lived one hell of an eventful life.

 

[Fledermaus]

On Dec. 2, 2024, Perry Dahl, one of the last living American WWII aces who shot down five or more enemy aircraft, died after a storied 37-year career in the United States Army, Army Air Corps, U.S. Army Air Forces and U.S. Air Force. He was 101 years old.

Perry Dahl, one of the last living WWII fighter aces, dies at 101

Flying his P-38 Lightning, nicknamed Skidoo, Dahl shot down more than five enemy planes in the Pacific.

www.militarytimes.com

Rest in peace.... you lived one hell of an eventful life.

RIP

 

[Rexedgar]

I always found the P-38 visually appealing.

 

[NJBob]

Fewer and fewer of the Greatest Generation remain with us. We are poorer with each one we lose.

RIP Perry Dahl.

 

[gman]

I always found the P-38 visually appealing.

View attachment 67550694

The latest book I read on the air war in Europe was very informative about the P-38. The plane was more successful in the pacific AO than the European. Because most aerial combat in the pacific was conducted at lower altitudes than were conducted in Europe the flaws of uncontrollable high speed dives from high altitudes as experienced in Europe were not experienced in the pacific because of lower ceiling combat. It was sleek, fast, and well armed but with too many mechanical problems which killed many American pilots. The real king of aerial combat was the P-47.

 

[Rexedgar]

The latest book I read on the air war in Europe was very informative about the P-38. The plane was more successful in the pacific AO than the European. Because most aerial combat in the pacific was conducted at lower altitudes than were conducted in Europe the flaws of uncontrollable high speed dives from high altitudes as experienced in Europe were not experienced in the pacific because of lower ceiling combat. It was sleek, fast, and well armed but with too many mechanical problems which killed many American pilots. The real king of aerial combat was the P-47.

No argument on the P-47, my observation was purely aesthetics.

IIRC, the P-47 was referred to as the flying tank.

 

[gman]

Absolutely the coolest looking airplane in WWII.

 

[mrjurrs]

On Dec. 2, 2024, Perry Dahl, one of the last living American WWII aces who shot down five or more enemy aircraft, died after a storied 37-year career in the United States Army, Army Air Corps, U.S. Army Air Forces and U.S. Air Force. He was 101 years old.

Perry Dahl, one of the last living WWII fighter aces, dies at 101

Flying his P-38 Lightning, nicknamed Skidoo, Dahl shot down more than five enemy planes in the Pacific.

www.militarytimes.com

Rest in peace.... you lived one hell of an eventful life.

 

[Helix]

Rest in peace.

 

[Bum]

No argument on the P-47, my observation was purely aesthetics.

IIRC, the P-47 was referred to as the flying tank.

The P 47 was an absolute beast....the second largest fighter the US Army Air Corp had at the time.

 

[Rexedgar]

Anyone know what the pods are, behind the wings? Look like air intakes?

P-38

 

[gman]

There so many MWO’s(modification work orders) to the P-38. It might be one made to provide better stabilization and control during a steep dive. I’ll check out the book, CLEAN SWEEP, by Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, to see if he id’s the pods.

 

[NJBob]

Absolutely the coolest looking airplane in WWII.

I prefer the P51, but the P38 ain’t bad.

 

[Bum]

Anyone know what the pods are, behind the wings? Look like air intakes?

P-38

On the booms?
Those are air intakes and radiator housings for the radiator assemblies...there are two radiator housings (one on each side of the tail boom) for each engine.
The engines on the P 38 were liquid cooled.

 

[Cordelier]

I always found the P-38 visually appealing.

View attachment 67550694

Probably has a lot to do with you not being a Zero pilot.

 

[Luce]

On Dec. 2, 2024, Perry Dahl, one of the last living American WWII aces who shot down five or more enemy aircraft, died after a storied 37-year career in the United States Army, Army Air Corps, U.S. Army Air Forces and U.S. Air Force. He was 101 years old.

Perry Dahl, one of the last living WWII fighter aces, dies at 101

Flying his P-38 Lightning, nicknamed Skidoo, Dahl shot down more than five enemy planes in the Pacific.

www.militarytimes.com

Rest in peace.... you lived one hell of an eventful life.

Something tells me this guy's idea of the afterlife is less about peace and quiet and more about base jumping and motorcycles.

 

[Rich2018]

RIP.