Erich Hartmann, the most famous ace in history of aerial combat, had a total of 352 confirmed kills. One of the best known surviving Luftwaffe aces, he was never shot down. During the latter half of WWII, his planes were adorned with a “black tulip” design around the spinner, and were also used by novice pilots for extra protection, as most Russian pilots would not stay to fight him. He flew our Erich Hartmann Me Bf 109 G-6 in the Eastern Front (Hungarian theater) with the famous “black tulip” markings.

Scott Speicher's F/A-18 was the first aircraft shot down during the early hours of Gulf War I. For many years, his whereabouts was unknown. His plane, along with his Escape and Evade sign, and flight suit were found near the wreckage in the Iraqi desert. There was no evidence of his death or survival. There has been some speculation that the initials MSS found in an Iraqi prison may have been written by Scott Speicher, but it is not conclusive. Despite a massive search effort by U.S. intelligence agencies, no proof of life or death has been found. However, on August 2, 2009, the U.S. Department Of Defense reported that Scott Speicher's remains were found in the Iraqi desert, close to the crash site. Scott Speicher died during the crash and was never captured. His body was buried by Bedouins after the crash.

Frantisek Perina, one of the most successful Czech fighter pilots in WWII, shot down 15 German aircrafts. He himself was shot down and seriously injured in France. Initially Frantisek flew under the French, and later served with RAF Czech Squadron 312. After WWII he fled to U.K. and later to the U.S. to escape communist persecution in Czechoslovakia. Frantisek Perina returned to his homeland after the fall of communism in 1989. He died as a Czech general in Prague on May 6 2006. Our replica of Frantisek Perina's Spitfire.

Frantisek Fajtl, the most famous Czech pilot from WWII. Although not an ace, Frantisek Fajtl is well known because of his leadership role in the war. Like many other Czech pilots, Frantisek fled his homeland during WWII to fight Nazi occupation. He was a popular wing and squadron commander under both the British and the Soviets. After the war, the communist persecuted him for fighting along with the British. Condemned to a labor camp at Mirov for 18 months, there he saw the same former SS officers he fought against. After his imprisonment, he worked as a laborer and clerk. His war achievements were finally recognized after the fall of communism in 1989. He was rehabilitated and given the rank of major general. Frantisek Fajtl died on October 4, 2006 in Prague. Our replicas of Frantisek Fajtl's favorite Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb, Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb and Lavochkin La-5. [ more on Frantisek Fajtl ]

Werner Schroer, German ace with 114 confirmed kills, began as a ground crew with the German air force. He completed his flight training in 1940 and was assigned to a squadron (I/JG 27) involved in the Battle of Great Britain where he scored his first victory. He was later assigned to North Africa under Erwin Rommel where he continued to accumulate his largest number of kills. Werner Schroer survived WWII. He died in Munich on February 10 1985 at the age of 67. Our replica of Werner Schroer's north Africa corp Messerschmitt with tropical camouflage [Me Bf 109 E-7 trop], fitted with tropical sand filter on the supercharger.

Frantisek Dolezal, – WWII Czechoslovakian Ace: 10 confirmed kills. He was the Wing Commander of the 2nd Czechoslovakian Wing under the RAF. Like many other Czech pilots, he fled his homeland to avoid serving under Hilter during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia. He initially fled to France, later eventually serving under the British. He served in various pilot and command role in 310th, 19th and the 2nd Wing under the RAF. Dolezal rose through the ranks quickly and receive numerous awards for his bravery, and leadership skills. Among his peers, he was a well respected leader. He was intelligent, humorous, and optimistic. Under his command, the 310th won numerous football matches against British as well as dogfights against the Nazis. He kept a portfolio of all the pilots who served under him, including information on their achievements and their private life. Like many famous fighter aces who survived the war, he died in a peace time plane accident. On Oct 4th, 1945 near Bucovice na Morave, during a training flight from Prague to Zlin his plane, a Sibel Si-204, crashed. Frantisek Dolezal's Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb.

Winfried Schmidt, a German ace with 19 kills, who shot down the famous British ace John “Doggie” Oliver, was severely injured during one of his missions. His injuries prevented him from returning to duty. He was grounded until the end of the war. Winfried Schmidt's Me Bf 109 E-4.

Heinz Bar, a German ace with 221 victories, was one of the few aces that flew the Me 262, the first operational jet fighter. With 16 kills while piloting the Me 262, Bär was the top jet ace of WWII. His record for jet aces still stands today, only matched by Capt. Joseph McConnell in the Korean War. While achieving his 221 victories he himself was shot down 18 times, surviving each crash and returning to duty. His luck finally ran out on April 28 1957 when Heinz Bar died in a light plane accident in Braunschweig, Germany. Heinz Bar's Me Bf 109 E-1

George W. Bush, President of the United States, was the first sitting president ever to pilot a landing on an aircraft carrier (USS Abraham Lincoln). On May 2, 2003, shortly after the beginning of Gulf War II, President Bush piloted a Navy S-3B Viking marked with “Navy 1” and George W. Bush Commander-in-Chief below the cockpit window. With the “Mission Accomplished” sign proudly displayed in the background, President Bush confidently declared these famous words: “major combat operations in Iraq have ended”.

Gerhard Barkhorn, a German ace with 301 victories, became the “ace in one day” when he shot down 6 enemy planes in a single day. The Soviet Air Force had a price on his head. He was the best man at Erich Hartmann wedding. Toward the end of the war, he piloted the latest Me 262 jet fighter, but was unable to score any victory. On his last mission, his engine went out just before reaching the enemy bomber formation. He was force to make an emergency landing and was taken prisoner until the end of the war. After the war, he joined the German Air Force (Bundesluftwaffe) in 1956 and retired in 1976 as a general. He died from injuries sustained in an auto accident on January 6 1983.  Gerhard Barkhorn's Me Bf 109 G-16

home | sign in | site map | contact | pictures | catalog | order | pilots
terms and conditons | links | f.a.q. | shipping

External links are provided for reference purposes.
is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.