The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s World War II Hawker Hurricane fighter marked as the aircraft flown by Flt. Lt. Nicolson, 16 August 1940. (© IoW Sparky)
“Air Ministry, 15 November 1940.The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery : —Flight Lieutenant James Brindley NICOLSON (39329) — No. 249 Squadron.During an engagement with the enemy near Southampton on 16th August 1940, Flight Lieutenant Nicolson’s aircraft was hit by four cannon shells, two of which wounded him whilst another set fire to the gravity tank. When about to abandon his aircraft owing to flames in the cockpit he sighted an enemy fighter. This he attacked and shot down, although as a result of staying in his burning aircraft he sustained serious burns to his hands, face, neck and legs. Flight Lieutenant Nicolson has always displayed great enthusiasm for air fighting and this incident shows that he possesses courage and determination of a high order. By continuing to engage the enemy after he had been wounded and his aircraft set on fire, he displayed exceptional gallantry and disregard for the safety of his own life.”
XB-70
Two F-16C jets collided in midair, one plane crashed and the pilot ejected and the other having a five foot section of its wing sheared off, flew 100 miles back to base and landed safely.
Global Hawk
The hopeless diamond. The underside of the famous Have Blue, an experimental proof of concept aircraft that lead to the F-117 Nighthawk. https://www.facebook.com/globaldefense?pnref=story
