Lanoe Hawker
- World War I
- Less than 1 min
By Crusader1307
Hawker was Britain's first “Ace” fighter pilot during World War I. He was credited with 7 confirmed kills. Winner of England's Victoria Cross, Hawker was originally a Royal Engineer before becoming a Pilot in The Royal Flying Corps. Originally flying the British B.E, 2 Fighter, he distinguished himself in several battles. Eventually, he flew The Bristol Fighter (in which he won his VC) – by shooting down 3 enemy aircraft despite severe battle damage to his plane. While flying the experimental Airco “Pusher” Fighter, Hawker would encounter the equally impressive German Fighter Manfred Von Richthofen in combat (1916). Hawker was shot down. He was 25 years old.
