Japanese combat vet still flying

[Invader26]

This is amazing...

http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000617856

[k5083]

Now if anyone deserves a flight in the dual control Zero ...

August

[tom d. friedman]

ok....... he WAS THE ENEMY. key word "WAS"..... but I SALUTE HIS VIGOR & TENACITY.

[Invader26]

[[*]*]ok....... he WAS THE ENEMY


Not many of us had a choice where we were born...

Remember it is politicians not the regular folk who create war...

[daviemax]

Hats off! He flew Bettys and survived! That is an achievement . . . flying a plane its crews dubbed "type one lighter!" The war is long over, it is good to celebrate his long life. Boy would I love to interview him...

[Chris Brame]

According to the article he was a Betty pilot (Ichishiki Rikko), which makes his longevity even more amazing. I wonder if he's seen the Harada Betty project?
Edit: Davie, you're right - he'd make a great interview subject - he should write a book! Paging Henry Sakaida...

[Chris Brame]

Thanks TriangleP! I think that might be him in the red shirt in photo #7 in "Betty Bomber Restoration".

[whistlingdeath77]

Wow great story. Thanks for sharing

[Dave Hadfield]

Great story.

I've been working lately with George Neal, the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame pilot who test-flew for de Havilland Canada. He's 94, and just this spring sold his Hornet Moth, reducing his fleet to just the Chipmunk -- which he still flies.

Whatever these old guys eat, I need to order a truckload of it.

Dave