April in Aviation History

[airdave]

RickPink...the most important event in "aviation history"?
Maybe an important event in Military Aviation history.
Certainly not the most important, but definitely a very important historic military event.

I'd say the Wright Bros might have the "most important" aviation history dates thing locked up.
As do a few other Aviation Pioneers doing things long before Richtofen.
Maybe American and Russian Space Programs in the 50s and 60s got a few important dates too?

[MichaelS]

I have always thought that Glenn Curtiss has been short changed by history. He walked all over the Wrights for years. His triumphs at the 1908 Paris air meet is fantastic but little known in the US.

I would say that Charles Lindberg has it all over the Red Baron. I do believe that Billy Bishop is not deserving of his reputation. (Excuse me while I Slip into my flak jacket and slink away).

John Glenn, Chuck Yeager. Quite a few real greats in aviation.

[airdave]

Sorry Rick, but I'd put Douglas Bader's career up against Richtofen's accomplishments any day!

But I admit, we're still not talking about an important event in aviation history.

[Don Boose]

It all depends on your perspective. I consider the most important date in aviation history to be 15 September 1959, when young Don Boose soloed in Piper J-3 Cub N87967 from Quinn Airport in Baltimore.

Don

[Vermin_King]

Or how about Squadron Leader Marmaduke Thomas St. John Pattle?

Most-important people and events is very much like the world's best barbeque or pizza. Greatest anything is always debatable. And why is it debatable? Because there is no ultimate answer. Crichton was correct in that this type of game, while enjoyable, and on rare occasions enlightening, the general result is hurt feelings.

Debate on!

[MichaelS]

Originally Posted by Don Boose

It all depends on your perspective. I consider the most important date in aviation history to be 15 September 1959, when young Don Boose soloed in Piper J-3 Cub N87967 from Quinn Airport in Baltimore.

Don

And the world has never been the same since....

[airdave]

Agreed.
I think was that was the point behind Don's post.
Its all relative to who you are and how you judge importance.
Although I don't think he would argue the importance of any of the events we have already mentioned.


Richtofen's contributions to Military history and events can't be argued either.
I'm sure, for his time, he set standards that were unmatched.

But could he navigate by instruments and the stars?
Could he handle high altitude flight and oxygen deprivation.
Could he fly a jet fighter or go supersonic?
Could he survive being shot down and survive being a prisoner of War in Viet Nam?

Or spend 5 days crammed into a tin can in the cold vacuum of outer space?

Fact is, its unfair to compare the men who took part in many of Aviation's greatest events.
Men like Richtofen...Bader...Neil Armstrong...Zefrem Cochrane.

[Amccombs3]

But The Red Baron's death may be the most important aviation history event on April 20 (or whatever it actually was). Depends on how you parse the sentence. Anyhow, I'm just being silly, and not arguing for any point of view here.

[airdave]

Right!...so, the most important thing that happened in Aviation on Apr 21 1918
was the loss of Manfred Von Richtofen's dog sitter (in a boating accident).

Without being there, I'd have to agree. lol

[Vermin_King]

I find it interesting that the Australians gave him a full military funeral (or as full as can be when you are in a war). Shows the respect he had, even of his enemies