fw 190a5 flight model

[lonewulf]

Originally Posted by Pursuivant

I think it's fairer to say that fighter pilots were selected for certain attributes - notably aggressiveness, aerobatic skill and g-tolerances - from the pool of available pilots.

There are plenty of examples of WW2 era pilots who started off in fighters and then ended up in other sorts of planes (notably, many AVG members), as well as pilots who started off flying attack planes or bombers and who switched to fighters.

Yes, I agree that some people did transfer between Commands; sure. However, I think it nonsense to suggest that fighter pilots were carefully selected because they somehow demonstrated an aggressiveness, or offensive spirit found lacking in other, less plucky pilots. Just how this offensive spirit would be demonstrated in training I'm not really sure. Perhaps they selected cadets who got into fights down the pub or who were caught 'raking' opposition players during inter-squadron rugger matches. Not sure. Anyway, when you think about it, isn't it more likely that pilots with demonstrable leadership skills and technical ability would be assigned to the more arduous and complex responsibility to be found in aircraft with more than one engine. Do you for example believe that the Dams Raid would have been more successful if fighter pilots had been drafted in to fly the operation?

[Igo kyu]

Originally Posted by lonewulf

Yes, I agree that some people did transfer between Commands; sure. However, I think it nonsense to suggest that fighter pilots were carefully selected because they somehow demonstrated an aggressiveness, or offensive spirit found lacking in other, less plucky pilots. Just how this offensive spirit would be demonstrated in training I'm not really sure.

I have always understood that for the RAF basic training was for all pilots, and the ones who didn't do so well in that became bomber pilots or even transport pilots.

Bomber pilots were needed, as were coastal patrol pilots etc, but my feeling was always that they were second class citizens compared to the fighter pilots.

That's probably from comics when I was a kid I suppose, but I am sure I've never heard of bomber pilots as elite above fighter pilots.

[Glider]

Re the selection the best pilots went to Bomber command and then Coastal Command. Fighter Command generally had the worst pilots.

[K_Freddie]

Now you've put the cat among the pigeons..

But before you claim that... we need formulae, test reports (false or otherwise), combat reports and or tracks