Aircraft Trivia

No cigar, but right theatre of the war

Sounds like something Yeager would do, but the rest of the question doesn't fit.

Charles lindberg

No, but two of you have the right aircraft he is known for.

Just to keep it going I 'd say the P-38 was the common airplane, but I don't know the pilot. 

John-  you are correct.

He started in P-39's, got two kills before being assigned to the 38's and getting another 1 1/2.  After his tour, back to the USA.  Later had a tour in China (claimed 3 downed or damaged), was shot down and saved by the Chinese from being captured.  Had the Japanese caught him, he would have ended up in more pieces than a jigsaw puzzle.

Who was the first pilot tp shoot down a jet fighter in combat?

lowfly, you'll have to answer goldhammer's question before you can pose yours.

He was born in 1917, passed away in 2001.  Buried about 7 miles from the site in question and about 20 miles from his lifelong home, except for his time in the military.

The "new" highway bridge is named in his honor, something the state does for significant people in the state's history.

I've already guessed wrong so I'm out...still it's a fun subject.

In 1959, an SAC pilot flew a B-47 under the Mackinac Bridge.

Grounded for life.

Was it Rex Barber?  And the Japanese would have been VERY upset to learn that he had been on the shooter team that downed Adm Yamamoto's "Betty", and most likely the actual pilot that downed Yamamoto's plane.  

I am currently building the Tamiya 1/48 scale model of Barbers P-38, which is why I luckly stumbled on this question.  

I would not consider your post an answer because of the phrasing, just more of a thought.

This is a tough question. Do a search for "flew under a bridge" and it looks like every hot shot has at one time!

I've been using search so I'm out, but I think I know which bridges they were.

Got it! 

Hint: Goldhammer's current location is a factor.

Quite possibly, but there is another member here who is even closer.

You have to be in an almost 90* bank and pulling hard when under the rail bridge or you will be a decoration on the canyon wall.

Rec Barber?

Alright, alright it's Luke Skywalker at beggar's canyon. Lol, I really have no idea.

I'm going to guess Robin Olds, cause he flew both and is the kind of guy who would do that while smoking a cigar.  Kind of this country's Adolf Galland.  Did he fly under a bridge too?

John- Not Olds.

Above is a pic of the rail bridge taken from just below the highway bridge.  Note the sharp bend in the canyon, as seen by the greenery below.

 The canyon is about 600' wide and 400' deep where the pic was taken

Yeah, I know it wasn't Olds, he wasn't in the Pacific in WW II.  But maybe he did and didn't get caught!

I believe the answer is Rex Barber.  I am aware of Lt. Barber by reading Bruce Gamble's "Fortress Rabual".  Lt Barber was one of 4 in the shooter (or killer team) of a larger group that utilized the compromised code of the Japanese messages to intercept Adm Yamamoto "Betty" bomber in April 1943.  The mission was of course successful and Yamamoto was killed over Bouganville.  I am currently building the Tamiya 1/48 scale P38F with the marking of Barbers plane.  

Last hint......

He was a major player in one of the most famous missions of the war in the PTO.

Rex Barber?

That sounds promising!

No idea of a name but what aboiut one of the guys that took P-38s after Yamato when he was on a inspection tour in a Betty?

Yeah, he was canyon running after a Betty!

M4 ...correct.  Any thought about the location of the bridges in question?

As an aside the official record gave him 1/2 credit on Yamamoto's plane and the assist on the other.  Inspection of the crash site and bullet damage much later supposedly proved he was the one who downed it, but the AF would not change the record.  That was back in the 90's.

So I guess I'm up...

Here's one from my "personal heroes" file. Name this aviator.

He joined the US Navy in 1937; became a Naval Aviator in 1939. Initially he was assigned to dive bombers and flew the SBD Dauntless.

While flying anti-torpedo patrol near Yorktown in May 1942 he was attacked by three Japanese A6M Zeros. Calling upon all his skill and instincts he used his SBD's strengths to shoot down all three, an incredible accomplishment.

Transferring to fighters, he was flying CAP with AG10 from Enterprise at Santa Cruz in October 1942. Spotting a formation of B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers approaching Enterprise he led his section to the attack. Personally shooting down five, he completely disrupted their runs, and was credited by most on the scene with saving the ship. He is the winner of three Navy Crosses, the only man to win the Navy Cross for both bombing and aerial combat, and later commanded the USS Constellation.

Who was this supremely gifted aviator?