We Brits also have a couple of examples of aviation heroes who had a reputation for being a***holes of the first water. Naming no names, but at least one bomber pilot and one fighter pilot from WW2 spring to mind - PPRuNe members will have their own ideas who I am referring to.
Delighted to see the reference to Winkle Brown who could no doubt have outflown any of them and was a true gentleman to boot.