Eddie Rickenbacker

Name: Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 14
Author: Eddie Rickenbacker

Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 14 (1919)

Summary

“Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 14”, published in 1919, is a work by Eddie Rickenbacker. It explores elements such as machine, bursts and Smyth.

Quotes from Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 14 (Eddie Rickenbacker)

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 14 (1919)

“ I should be lucky if I got confirmation for a victory at all, since we were now so far inside Germany and so near to the ground. I dived on to the attack.
Most of one's troubles in this world come from something wrong inside one's self. If I hadn't been so stupidly optimistic at the outset of this engagement I should have been more cautious and my first disappointment would not have made me forget to keep an eye out for other enemy machines. Even Smyth I had forgotten, in my rage at losing the best chance for a brilliant shot that had ever come my way. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 14 (1919)

“ To my delight I saw the two fighting machines escort the Rumpler fairly across our lines and then themselves turn back into Germany. They had not seen me and evidently considered their protection no longer necessary. I hugged the sun closely and let the Rumpler sail by below me. Imagine my extravagant joy when I again made out the painted Rising Sun in orange colors along the side of the Rumpler's fusilage, and the big black numerals "16" following it! ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 14 (1919)

“ The higher one rises, the greater speed is required, to enable the thinner air to sustain the weight of the aeroplane. Consequently, the limit of altitude for any given machine depends upon two factors: its horsepower and its weight. In order to climb an extra thousand feet, you must appreciably increase the horsepower or diminish the weight. To resume: I reached 20,000 feet and found that Smyth's machine would go no higher. I fired a few bursts from each gun and found that they operated smoothly. Everything appearing to be all right, I headed for Germany and began to scour the hostile skies. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 14 (1919)

“ In formation flying the whole flight is limited to the speed and altitude of its weakest member. Formation flying is very valuable to an inexperienced pilot; but after one has learned to take care of oneself one prefers to go out with a roving commission.
The morning following my disappointing encounter with No. 16 of the Rising Sun Squadron, I went over to my hangar at an early hour to see that all was right with my machine. Inside the shed I found the mechanics busy with my Nieuport. The gun had been dismounted and was still in the repair shop. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 14 (1919)

“ We exchanged bursts after bursts, that observer and I, and soon came to know all about each other's idiosyncrasies. I do not know what he thinks of me, but I am willing to acknowledge him the nimblest airman I ever saw.
We had been at this game for forty minutes and the Rumpler pilot had not fired a shot. I had long ago given up hope of their ever exhausting their ammunition. They must have had a week's supply for the rear guns alone. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 14 (1919)

“ We could neither attack the enemy nor defend ourselves advantageously so far below them.
While flying south and climbing steeply I noticed ahead of us, in the direction of our own aerodrome, an enormous number of white shell-bursts dotting the heavens at about our altitude. These were American anti-aircraft shells and they told me clearly that an enemy aeroplane was operating over Toul; likewise they indicated that no American planes were in the sky there, else our gunners would be more cautious in firing. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 14 (1919)

“ I knew nothing of the capabilities of his machine, yet I was pleased to try the efficacy of his twin gun mounting. My own Nieuport carried but one gun.
Flying high over Nancy and Toul and Commercy I tried first to learn the topmost ceiling of Smyth's machine. The highest altitude, it should be explained, to which any machine can climb, is controlled by the steadily increasing rarity of the atmosphere. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 14 (1919)

“ I naturally preferred going by myself, for I felt no responsibility for other pilots under such circumstances and I had a much better chance of stealing up close to enemy aeroplanes without discovery. ”

Eddie Rickenbacker

Summary

Quotes from Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 14 (Eddie Rickenbacker)

Common terms

Similar works

Get perspective with Kwize: daily news enlightened by great literature