[larz]

Dick Bong is my most admired pilot of WWII. He was born and raised just a short drive from where I live,
so he is kind of like a home-town hero. To me his death was especially tragic.

Larz

[wmosner]

Originally Posted by chiefs70

Eddie-

First of all, Gunther Rall is another pilot I respect a great deal but he happens to be one of the "superiors" who didn't appreciate Hartmann's outspoken nature. As far as Hartmann's opinion being vindicated I don't recall the exact numbers - without researching it - but IIRC there were over 200 crashes and 100+ deaths of West German AF pilots in the F-104. The purchase of the F-104s by the WGAF after they were rejected by the USAF was found to involve some shady dealings and is sometimes referred to as the Lockheed Scandal. Once again, I would have to do a bit of research for the particulars but I believe I have the gist of it.

As I said, I greatly respect Gunther Rall - I really wish more then the FM 109 in his livery was available ( I have mine displayed with a signed photo of the same aircraft) - but everyone has their POV. I tend to believe most of the feelings Rall has is related to their facing off on the F-104 issue but I could be wrong. I feel a bit remiss but could you PM the name of Rall's biography as I would love to read it.

In the German Air Force the F-104 was known as The Widowmaker and The Flying Coffin.