How Much Do You Know About These Famous Flying Aces?

Becky Stigall

Image: YouTube

About This Quiz

Manfred von Richthofen is one of the most famous flying aces to have ever taken to the skies. Do you know what his nickname is? Did you know he was only 11 years old when the Wright brothers made their first successful flight in Kitty Hawk? And that despite being one of the most well-known fighter pilots, he was eventually shot down and killed 15 years after that same first flight by the Wright brothers?

From World War I to modern times flying aces have been the sole of many militaries. They collectively fly thousands of missions each year in support and assistance for ground troops, as well as predetermined attacks across enemy lines. But, do you know the name of the World War II Ace who flew over 1,000 missions without ever getting shot down? Considering the fatality rate was among the highest in the war, this is an amazing feat. 

Do you know the British Ace who was blind in one eye, or do you know the Axis ace who shot down 13 opposing fighter planes in 17 minutes? 

These are the pilots who have embraced one of the scariest and most deadly occupations in the world. Do you think your skills are good enough to do them proud? Get those propellers spinning; it's quiz time!

Manfred von Richthofen was known as what?

Manfred von Richthofen was the Red Baron, perhaps the most famous flying ace of all time. He flew for the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I.

Erich Hartmann was a ______ flying ace.

Erich Hartmann was a German flying ace. World War II Soviets called him "The Black Devil."

James Jabara was a United States Air Force _______ pilot in World War II.

James Jabara was a United States Air Force fighter pilot. He flew a P-51 Mustang in WWII.

Muhammad Mahmood Alam flew in the ________ Air Force.

Muhammad Mahmood Alam flew in the Pakistani Air Force. He navigated the skies in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

What American airman had a total of six kills in the Vietnam War?

Charles B. DeBellevue had a total of six kills in the Vietnam War. This made him the top ace during that war.

What Israeli Air Force fighter pilot had 17 victories?

Giora Epstein had 17 victories during the Arab–Israeli Wars. His nickname was Hawkeye.

Who has been called the "Last American Ace"?

Cesar Rodriguez has been called the "Last American Ace." He flew during the Gulf and Kosovo wars.

What Korean War ace was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star for combat heroism?

Joseph Christopher McConnell Jr. was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star for combat heroism. He was credited with shooting down 16 enemy Mig-15s.

What World War II Allied ace was never shot down in over 1,000 missions?

James Edgar "Johnnie" Johnson was never shot down in over 1,000 missions. And his aircraft was only damaged once.

Kurt Welter flew for the _______ during WWII.

Kurt Welter flew for the Germans during WWII. Welter flew a Messerschmitt Me 262.

Captain Albert Ball was ________ highest scoring ace fighter pilot during WWI.

Captain Albert Ball was Britain’s highest scoring ace fighter pilot during WWI. He was shot down by the Germans in 1917, when he was only 20.

Ernst Udet flew for the _________ during World War I.

Ernst Udet flew for the Luftwaffe during World War I. He was the highest-scoring German fighter pilot to survive WWI.

William Avery Bishop flew for the Royal Flying Corps of ______.

William Avery Bishop flew for the Royal Flying Corps of Canada. He has been credited with shooting down 25 enemy planes in 12 days.

René Fonck flew for what country during World War I?

René Fonck was a French fighter pilot. He has been named the highest-scoring Allied fighter pilot of WWI with 75 confirmed kills.

What British WWI ace was almost blind in one eye?

Edward Mannock was almost blind in his left eye. He had 61 confirmed kills.

What Luftwaffe pilot was one of only two to ever achieve more than 300 victories?

Gerhard Barkhorn was only one of two to every achieve more than 300 victories. The other pilot was Erich Hartmann.

What Luftwaffe fighter ace shot down 13 enemies in 17 minutes?

Erich Rudorffer shot down 13 enemies in 17 minutes. He has been credited with 222 victories.

What German fighter pilot claimed the most Western Allied aircraft downs?

Wow, that's quite the name - Hans-Joachim Walter Rudolf Siegfried Marseille! He claimed that 151 of his 158 victories were against the British Desert Air Force over North Africa.

Eino Ilmari Juutilainen flew for the _______ Air Force.

Eino Ilmari Juutilainen flew for the Finnish Air Force. He is credited as the top non-German fighter pilot of all time.

Ivan Kozhedub was a ______ flying ace.

Ivan Kozhedub flew for the Soviets. He flew a Lavochkin La-5 during World War II.

Alexander Pokryshkin flew for the ______ Air Force.

Alexander Pokryshkin was a Soviet pilot. He was also a Marshall in the Soviet Air Force.

Mato Dukovac flew for the ________ Air Force.

Mato Dukovac flew for the Air Force of the Independent State of Croatia during World War II. He lived in Canada after the war.

Ján Režňák flew for the ______ Air Force.

Ján Režňák flew for the Slovak Air Force. He had 32 confirmed kills during World War II.

What World War II American ace was one of the most decorated and had the most kills?

Richard Bong was one of the most decorated and the highest scoring U.S. Army ace during World War II. He has been credited with shooting down 40 Japanese aircraft.

What Japanese ace was the top for that country during World War II?

Tetsuzō Iwamoto was the top Japanese flying ace during World War II. He is credited with more than 100 victories.

What RAF ace first tried to join the South African Air Force?

Pat Pattle was rejected by the South African Air Force when he was 18. Some sources claim he had more than 51 kills.

Teresio Vittorio Martinoli flew for the _______ Air Force.

Teresio Vittorio Martinoli flew for the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force. He has been credited with 22 victories.

Adrian Warburton flew for the ___.

Adrian Warburton flew for the RAF. His plane was shot down in April 1944.

Alexandru Șerbănescu was a ________ fighter pilot.

Alexandru Șerbănescu was a Romanian fighter pilot. He flew for the Germans in World War II.

What German flying ace has been credited with shooting down 189 enemy aircraft in over 700 missions?

Max Stotz has been credited with shooting down 189 enemy aircraft in over 700 missions. His fighter plane was shot down in August 1943 and he was never found.

Hans Wind flew for the _______ Air Force.

Hans Wind was a Finnish fighter pilot. He is credited with 75 confirmed victories.

What Romanian ace had the nickname "Bâzu"?

Constantin Cantacuzino's nickname was "Bâzu." He is credited with 43 confirmed kills.

What Japanese flying ace claimed 58 kills in only three months?

Hiromichi Shinohara claimed 58 kills in only three months. He flew a Nakajima Ki-27 and was shot down and killed at 26.

Kirill A. Yevstigneyev was a ______ fighter pilot.

Kirill A. Yevstigneyev was a Soviet fighter pilot. He flew a Lavochkin La-5 and La-7 fighter during World War II.

Pierre Clostermann was a ______ flying ace.

Pierre Clostermann was a French flying ace. He flew a Spitfire in World War II.

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