Quote:
Originally Posted by Ice_Eagle
Some 'green' German pilots in 1944 would bail if they seen a P-47/51 on there tail. 'Plane can be replaced, pilot could not'.
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I've read reports of this as well. But, the situations where the pilot would bail out immediately rather than defending himself were rare. It should only occur over land, over friendly territory, and in situations where planes can easily be replaced.
FWIW, it was possible to tell Luftwaffe parachutes from allied parachutes because they were "yellow". I don't know if that means that they were a beige or cream color, or actual bright yellow.
By contrast, US aircrew parachutes were white.
The difference was important because, by 1944, German civilians would often beat or kill downed Allied airmen unless prevented from doing so by the military or police.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ice_Eagle
Anyways today I followed a burning Ki-43Ic for 5 mins before it exploded.
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After 5 minutes, it seems more likely that the plane should fall apart rather than explode. Presumably, the pilot was long gone - dead or bailed out.