PIERRE CLOSTERMAN

[mgh 89]

Pierre Closterman has just died. He was a Frenchman who served as a fighter pilot with the Free French Air Force and the Royal Airforce in World War 2. His memoirs of his experience - The Big Show - are regarded as amnong the best.His account of his first flight in a Typhoon as an experienced Spitfire pilot is well worth reading. On take off it needed full left rudder yet the aircraft still drifted to the right edge of the runway and, once airborne, went sideways over the site of a hanger that had to be demolished to avoid aircraft hitting it. On approach he flew a full power circuit to clear the plugs at 420 mph which meant meant he needed another two circuits to get the speed down to 250 mph after which he decided on a climb to 3000 ft to get it down to 200 mph. He stalled on landing and estimated he bounced 30 ft.

[John_Cillis 2,406]

It's always sad to hear about our losing another aviation great, especially from a generation that sacrificed so much for all of us. Thanks for the post and taking the moment to honor this aviator.Regards,John