Sqdn Ldr David Fairbanks, and the "Finger"
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2020 6:10 pm
Found this little story while researching.
Squadron Leader David Charles Fairbanks, Ithaca, New York, U.S.A., RCAF, assigned to R.A.F. No. 274 Squadron, flying Hawker Tempest
Forty-two years before “the bird” gesture was popularized by actor Tom Cruise in the 1986 blockbuster movie “Top Gun”, a frustrated World War II Hawker Tempest pilot, Flt Lt David "Foob" Fairbanks ran out of ammunition, gave that same rude “finger” greeting to a Messerschmitt Bf 109 pilot over Germany in 1944.
Squadron Leader David Charles Fairbanks, Ithaca, New York, U.S.A., RCAF, assigned to R.A.F. No. 274 Squadron, flying Hawker Tempest
Forty-two years before “the bird” gesture was popularized by actor Tom Cruise in the 1986 blockbuster movie “Top Gun”, a frustrated World War II Hawker Tempest pilot, Flt Lt David "Foob" Fairbanks ran out of ammunition, gave that same rude “finger” greeting to a Messerschmitt Bf 109 pilot over Germany in 1944.
We passed near Emmerich and were just crossing the Rheine River when two Bf 109’s passed my starboard side slightly below at 4,000 feet and flying in the opposite direction. One was being chased by another Tempest and I broke into the second one. The enemy aircraft continued straight and level just at the base of the cloud. I quickly closed the range from below to approximately 150 yards. I fired but only my port cannons worked. After a few bursts I saw strikes on the enemy’s starboard wing. He did only a very slight turn to starboard and continued on. I rolled onto him again and fired until my ammunition ran out. I overhauled the enemy aircraft and came right up under his wing – the pilot was looking out the opposite side and didn’t have a clue. After several seconds, he finally became aware of my presence! I rolled over top of him, held my aircraft steady, gave him the finger and came home.