Flight Journal

Flight Journal is the world’s number one historical aviation brand. It is the go-to publication for those seeking the aviation experience as seen from the cockpit by history-making pilots and through the lenses of the world’s best aviation photographers. The emphasis is on giving readers unexpected aviation information and making them part of landmark experiences in a way that is to be found in no other periodical.

The Complete Fighter Pilot

Flight Journal • SEPT/OCT 2021 | VOLUME 28, NO. 5

Mustang ACE of ACES MAJOR GEORGE E. PREDDY • Squadron Leader Clive Rowley MBE RAF (Ret.), a former Royal Air Force fighter pilot, tells the story of USAAF fighter pilot and top-scoring Mustang ace George E. Preddy.

352ND FIGHTER GROUP

P-51D MUSTANG

Lt. Bill Preddy

STRAIGHT WINGS VS. SWEPT WINGS • F-84 Thunderjets & MiG-15s over Korea

RARE BEAR • The wrecked F8F-2 Bearcat that became Air Racing’s winningest Unlimited racer

RARE BEAR’S OVERALL RACE WINS • Since 1980, #77 has raced as “Rare Bear,” a name coined by John Tegler. Prior to 1980, the Bearcat had a succession of names: “The Able Cat,” “Phoenix I,” “Phast Phoenix,” “7 ¼% Special,” “Omni Special,” and “Aircraft Cylinder Special.” With 16 championships, Rare Bear is the winningest Unlimited ever.

SR-71 BLACKBIRD • Faster than a speeding bullet!

THE NEED FOR FEED

Fleet Finch • The classic WW II Canadian trainer

P-51: The 18th Fighter Bomber Group • With thousands of late-model P-51s available at the end of WW II, the Mustang became the predominant airframe in active and guard units into the 1950s until they were supplanted by jets.

CLASSIFIEDS

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The Sleeping Pilot