There was nothing like it before or since. By WWII aerial combat aces sometimes scored multiple gun kills on one mission, at times in the span of just a few minutes.
posted 02-12-2003 10:10 AM
The last time I talked to Olds was about 2 years agao at the Fghter Aces Convention. He is still the epitomy of the fighter pilot- a brash, 2 fisted, hard drinking, story telling persona. And that's all good. It's amazing what I've found out interviewing and just chatting with aces that never gets into print in books anywhere.
When he alluded to taking the 5th MiG it floored me and I wanted him to spell it out. He did so saying about a missile having no conscience once it leaves the rail. One thing words can't portray is the look I was given as if to say, "OK, you got it? Know what I'm stating between the lines here?" Certainly he wouldn't want to spoil anything for Cunningham, or Ritchie as Lord knows Olds has enough lifetime kills to not care about 1sts or recognition on that point.
posted 02-12-2003 02:49 PM
Funny ... ever read Mark Berent's Vietnam war novels? Berent flew Huns and Phantoms in Nam. Anyway, one character, Court Bannister, is referred to as the Ivory Ace, because he's 99.9 percent pure -- he got the fifth MiG, but couldn't get positive confirmation. And he's jerked from combat soon after, anyway. Wonder if Berent based this on Olds' experience -- maybe it was common knowledge over there?
posted 02-14-2003 10:30 AM
A curious thing how starting in Korea they yanked out the aces once they hit a certain score. McConnell was pulled out at 16 kills when they deceded they wanted a live triple ace to send home. He could have surpassed 20 till by war's end. Boots Blesse had 2 more missions to fly on his tour but when he got to 10 they yanked him home. Then in Nam it was the same. Kinda silly and overprotective, what?
Guys like Olds lived for the combat experience and he knew that would be over once he got 5 so I believed him when he told me that.
posted 02-10-2003 12:25 PM
posted 02-10-2003 01:13 PM
posted 02-12-2003 02:49 PM
