[drgondog]

Craig - I agree your primary points... particularly regarding the mentoring role the leaders took in the Luftwaffe.

I have read perhaps 1000 USAAF Encounter Reports tring to piece specific adversaries in the same space and noted many reports in which the 190 was described as 'spinning out of control' or badly smoking and heading straight down' - in which the credit was awarded... and very sure thata percentage of those ships (and pilot) survived. I am equally sure many reported as being hit heavily but escaping into clouds actually resulted in a Destroyed vs a Damaged... for both sides- with the net leaning to 'over claim'.

To your other points about slow progress of many of the great ones, I think I have a better answer - at least for Battle of Britain and Kanalfront.
1. Luftwaffe High Command directives to 109 pilots to stick with bombers put many 109 pilots in a defensive mode to the advantage of aggressive Spit pilots. It's difficult to score if a.) you have guys chasing you all the time after you gave them an attack advantage, and b.) you are low on fuel.

2. In the summer of 44, the K-14 gunsight made aces of good pilots who ordinarily couldn't shoot very well in P-51's. Technology jumps had an effect and was complimented by aggressive USAAF tactics to always attack and dwindling leaders in Luftwaffe who could take the time to mentor low time squadron mates.

Two entirely different eras and tactical environments... including Ost Front.

my father was an average shot and a great pilot - a good combination when you have a fighter that was genrally superior to the ones you fought.

I'm glad he wasn't in a situation where he had to fly 300-500 missions in a 'target rich' environment. Luck of the draw, a moment of carelessness, a great deflection shot or a mechanical failure at the wrong time will work against you sooner or later -look how many times Rall survived being defeated!