Aircraft Trivia

Oh, and bonus points for knowing both his nickname and given name!

On the bridges... 
If your photo is a good view of that canyon, the guy either had consummate skills, was crazy, or both. I vaguely remember in 30 Seconds Over Tokyo; didn't Ted Lawson fly his B-25 under the Golden Gate Bridge? (One of many I'm sure...)

M4Shermanmodeler

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?

 

 

Swede Vejtasa

I'm really surprised I didn't come across that bridge story when I built this F-80 last December, in Rex Barber's markings.  And equally surprised I was too dumb to remember he flew the P-38 and the P-80.

Kind of obscure....first I heard of it was on the plaques in the state park at the site.  Have been looking elsewhere and haven't seen another mention. 

Sorry about the curveball, figured it was a little more well known.

AFB first I thought about BUTCH O’hare. It’s said his dad was Al Capone’s bookkepper I think. BUt sadly he didn’t survive the war

Stik got it. I knew that was too easy, but man what a flyer Swede Vejtasa was! Three Zeros in an SBD! His gunner couldn't even get in a shot because the plane was doing such crazy things! And in 1942 the Japanese pilots were very very good! 

goldhammer

Kind of obscure....first I heard of it was on the plaques in the state park at the site.  Have been looking elsewhere and haven't seen another mention. 

Sorry about the curveball, figured it was a little more well known.

 

IIRC Vejtasa and several other members of Yorktown were within minutes of being transferred to Neosho for reassignment at Pearl Harbor, when Fletcher made the decision to send Neosho and Sims away from the TF to hold to the south.

Vejtasa was understandably upset about the possibility of leaving the combat zone, Sims was sunk and Neosho battered.

Bill

I can’t see moving aviators off of a Carrier with battle looming, and especially transferring them by Oiler back to Pearl Harbor. Trained naval aviators were in short supply overall in spring 1942, and more so forward deployed on carriers. Attrition was taking a toll from both combat and operational losses. 

Anyways back to the trivia...

This aviator flew in two different wars over two different continents, at the beginning and end of a decade, and scored several aerial victories combined. To help narrow it down, he flew the same type of aircraft in both wars. And even more interesting, one kill in each of the wars was of the same type of aircraft. Who was he, and what did he kill? What he flew is obvious if you get the first two parts...

This aviator flew for the same nation and service in both conflicts. 

stikpusher

I can’t see moving aviators off of a Carrier with battle looming, and especially transferring them by Oiler back to Pearl Harbor.

I think it was a big reason that contributed to our success.

Japan ran it's might into the heart of the enemy. The USA had a  good benchfrom which to  fight back.

Bill

GMorrison

 

 

stikpusher

I can’t see moving aviators off of a Carrier with battle looming, and especially transferring them by Oiler back to Pearl Harbor.

 

 

 

But that was what was done. O'Hare went back in February 1942.

 

I think it was a big reason that contributed to our success.

Japan ran it's might into the heart of the enemy. The USA had a neutral field from which to  fight back.

 

Bill

 

 

O’Hare was rotated home for decoration due to his exploits defending USS Lexington. VF-3 was rotated off the ship at Pearl Harbor, while she was in port, and not sent back from the carrier via another ship while forward deployed. VF-2, which had just transitioned from the F2A to the F4F, went onboard Lexington for her next cruise which would end at Coral Sea. While O’Hare went to the White House to receive the MOH and subsequent war bond and morale tour, VF-3 remained in Hawaii and would go out to sea again onboard USS Yorktown for Midway.

mawright20

IIRC he was an WWII RAF Spitfire pilot who flew during the Israel independence war and shot down ME109s in both wars.

 

And no, he was not an RAF/IDF aviator.

Do we need another clue?

This is a tough one because of the beginning and end fact.

Which suggests the more modern era.

Without a www search,  I'll say_

Beginning: Gulf of Sidra. (Africa)

End: Kosovo. (Europe)

Aircraft: F-14.

Victim SU-22.

Pilot: Jake Grafton.

Best I can do.

GMorrison

This is a tough one because of the beginning and end fact.

Which suggests the more modern era.

Without a www search,  I'll say_

Beginning: Gulf of Sidra. (Africa)

End: Kosovo. (Europe)

Aircraft: F-14.

Victim SU-22.

Pilot: Jake Grafton.

Best I can do.

 

You're in the right neighborhoods (almost) and general timeframe. 

Next hint: the first kill was made among that service’s first batch of fighter kills in nearly twenty years over a span of three decades. The last kill is from among that service’s last known group of fighter vs fighter combats.

The two aircraft types are very similar in layout configuration and in capabilities, with each having advantages over the other in certain technical areas.

I know the answer but took a fair amount of search online.

one of three pilots in his service who approached ace status since Vietnam.

He lives down the road from you.

DJ... For some reason your guesses didn't show up until after M4 answered.  Looks like you got it before he did.  I'm sorry you didn't get proper credit. I don't know if anyone else saw them or not, but they never showed up for me.

Never would cut a fellow member out on purpose.

My thread, so M4 gets the next one.

The answer to Stik is Lt. Col. Cesar Rodriguez, USAF. He flew in the First Gulf War and shot down a Mig-29 January 19th 1991 flying a F-15. (Asia).

His third kill was on March 24/25 1999, downing a Mig-29 while flying a F-15 over Kosovo. (Europe),

GMorrison

My thread, so M4 gets the next one.

The answer to Stik is Lt. Col. Cesar Rodriguez, USAF. He flew in the First Gulf War and shot down a Mig-29 January 19th 1991 flying a F-15. (Asia).

His third kill was on March 24/25 1999, downing a Mig-29 while flying a F-15 over Kosovo. (Europe),

 

 

 

Correct! First kill was a “maneuver” kill where he literally flew the opposing Mig into the ground during a close in dogfight. The last kill was a more standard long range engagement with an AIM 120 AMRAAM. His second kill has the unique distinction of the image of the AIM-7 missile was captured in the target MiGs HUD video system just before impact and recovered from the wreckage. The kills that he scored were among the first for the USAF since the Vietnam War in 1973, and among the last manned opposing aircraft kills for the USAF. Although they have shot down some armed drones  in the Mid East.

GM - M4 asked the"Swede" question.  It is your thread, and a good one,  but in fairness think about allowing DJ to jump in as not his fault on getting mine.

Thanks

Yes, I just caught that. My bad.

M4, I apologize!

DJ, your turn.

Bill

Thanks Bill, appreciated.

Hey, getting married today, no joke.  So i was trying to think of a wedding tilt with the trivia etc. but really can't focus on this.  I will catch up next week, play on without me.  Until then stay safe and have a good 4th!  Cheers!

Congratulations.  Your life will change in ways you can't imagine.