fighter

From a George Retelas February, 2022 Facebook post (Found by my Google search for Keith Diz Laird): Dean S. "Diz" Laird (born February 7, 1921) is the only U.S. Navy ace to have combat victories in both the Pacific and European theaters of World War II. In this new short film I produced for the USS Hornet Museum, Diz recalls his first combat flight in a F4F Wildcat with VF-4 "The Red Rippers" against the German Luftwaffe (a Junkers Ju-88 and a Heinkel He-115) on October 4, 1943 near Norway. He later added three more strikes against Japanese aircraft in the Pacific theater in a F6F Hellcat to become an "Ace". Diz Laird currently volunteers as a docent aboard the USS Hornet Museum where the ship has restored an FM-2 Wildcat that was recovered from the bottom of Lake Michigan. "Two Down, Three to Go" (5min): youtu.be/CtVOnYvv4Uw USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum American Fighter Aces Association & Friends The Tailhook Association Naval History & Heritage Command U.S. Naval Air Forces The Red Rippers

"Keith Diz Laird" pilot fighter Ace WW2 "World War II" "Diz Laird" "USS Hornet Museum" "F4F Wildcat" "VF-4 Red Rippers" "F6F Wildcat" "Pacific Theater" "European Theater" "German Luftwaffe" "Japanese" docent "FM-2 Wildcat" "USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum American Fighter Aces Association & Friends"

Nice photo!

The de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s British biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and built by the de Havilland Aircraft Company. It was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and other operators as a primary trainer aircraft. In addition to the type's principal use for ab initio training, the Second World War had RAF Tiger Moths operating in other capacities, including maritime surveillance and defensive anti-invasion preparations; some aircraft were even outfitted to function as armed light bombers. The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until it was replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk during the early 1950s. Many of the military surplus aircraft subsequently entered into civilian operation. Many nations have used the Tiger Moth in both military and civilian applications, and it remains in widespread use as a recreational aircraft. It is still occasionally used as a primary training aircraft, particularly for those pilots wanting to gain experience before moving on to other tailwheel aircraft. Many Tiger Moths are now employed by companies offering trial lesson experiences. The de Havilland Moth club, founded in 1975, is now an owners' association offering a mutual club and technical support. Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Tiger_Moth