Вот интересная цитата о разговоре Джо Фосса с пилотами Спитфаеров RAAF только что вернувшихся с европейского театра действий. 1942


"Foss detected an air of complacency among the Spitfire pilots and attempted in his direct (that is to say, undiplomatic) way to set them began:"Well, congratulations. But what worked against the German's won't work against the Japs." He paused and left more then herad a murmur run through the room. Then he plunged on.
" I know what you are thinking. You think that if a stiff-necked American can shoot down 23 Japs in an 8,000- pound airplane with 1,200 horsepower, then you are going to clean house in a 6,500 pound airplane with 1,500 horses. Well it doesn't work that way. If you try to dog fight a Zero he'll eat your lunch".
When asked how he handled a lone Zero, Foss made no better impression upon his hosts. " We have a saying up at Guadalcanal" the marine replied. "We say that if you are alone abd you meet a Zero, run like hell because you're outnumbered". One Australian asked if that wasn't quite sporting, was it? Foss shok his head " It nay ve sporting, but it's smart" He left the meeting as a friend of Caldwell, admiring the Aussies spirit but fearing for their future...

Wildcat. The F4F in WWII. Barrett Tollman