Say, wasnt' there an 'in-joke' about a LW pilot posted here?
 

I vaguely recall some some story JG5(I think?) vets recalling some of their experiences; one of them made a joke RE: one of his cohort's short stature in the cockpit, so it went something like, 'if you see an Me with no one in it, then it's being flown by XXXXX'; I cannot find the link & am unsure what parameter to use to search; anyone recall this link or did I dream it;
Christher---you probably know this one--you're worked alot with JG5 material;
thanks, ahead of time;

NickM

Re: Say, wasnt' there an 'in-joke' about a LW pilot posted here?
 

Hi Nick,
I guess You thought about the thread relating to Walter Schuck
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showth...3833#post13833

Best wishes
Robert

Re: Say, wasnt' there an 'in-joke' about a LW pilot posted here?
 

Not the only story of a short Luftwaffe pilot...

"Steinmann, his wingman Hans Franek,...and I waited for Major Specht.On the horizon two Fw-190s appeared and flew over the strip at low altitude.
In the first Fw-190 there was no one inside. She flew herself alone? A very short chap in a leather flying suit got out. That was him!"

I think Guenther Specht was failry short, probabbly around 5' 3". Josef Priller was only 5'4"" and there was Sgt pilot, Heinz Polak who flew for JG-53 who was,I believe 159 cm in height,5'2". All were succesful fighter pliots

Re: Say, wasnt' there an 'in-joke' about a LW pilot posted here?
 

Well.... if you ever get to try a Bf 109 on for size, I can assure you you will never doubt that it could be an advantage not to be very tall or broad shouldered to be a successful user of this aircraft.....

Regards,
Andreas

Re: Say, wasnt' there an 'in-joke' about a LW pilot posted here?
 

After Schucks words, you are totally right:

At those war times, Schuck was happy to have a height of only 1.64 mtrs, which alllowed him to climb easily into a 109 and felt himself comfortable in it.

Having a convenient sight out from the so narrow and so thickly framed cockpit - it was no question, that he felt well in this a/c and loved this Me 109 aircraft.

To answer Franek's former question about Ernst Scheufeles tallness: He was 1,95 mtrs. long and suffered from that disadvantage during his whole fighter period. Nevertheless, Scheufele was able to shoot down 18 enemy fighters, including Mustangs, Lightnings, a.s.o.

Cheers, Horst

Re: Say, wasnt' there an 'in-joke' about a LW pilot posted here?
 

Robert:

Thanks, THAT'S the one...thanks to all that replied!

NickM

Re: Say, wasnt' there an 'in-joke' about a LW pilot posted here?
 

This is what a small pilot in practise looks like... a remote controlled Razorback? ;)

http://www.air-and-space.com/2001100...flight%20l.jpg