ICT
 

Lancelot,

You missed my vote in Post 12. His book "Full Circle" is still one of the few that looks at the history of fighter tactics.
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Oops, yes, I missed that, but I miss a lot of things at my age! :)
I have his book. He was C.O at Cottesmore when I was there as an erk.

I don't like the question, it's poorly worded and probably was drawn up without much thought. The word 'iconic' does not necessarily imply positive qualities, but refers to how well-known or memorable the person is, and for that reason it has to be Bader, whom most of the public would instantly come up with.

If the question were worded in what I feel a more appropriate way, it would ask who is the most 'meritorious' or 'worthy' RAF figure of WW2, and that would elicit a different response. Guy Gibson would then have my vote, and not out of any disrespect to Bader, but I feel more is owed to Gibson than to Bader, brave as he was.

Who was the most iconic German figure in WW2? Adolf Hitler, I would think. Does that prove my point?

If we're sticking to Iconic, rather that influential or most significant, then may I be so bold as to suggest that it wasn't so much an individual but rather a group; all those non-British, non-Commonwealth, individuals from nations not engaged in the conflict who fought because they believed that cause was just (the same goes equally for those who joined the various arms of all Allied forces).

IMHO, the symbolism of their efforts and sacrifice; not fighting for a god, a king or a country, but rather out of a sense of right and wrong, transcends that of the eminent names suggested.

JAS

Iconic?
 

Gallent Adolf "Give me a staffel of Spitfires" Galland.
A great flyer,fighter and commander.

dmussen: Given the thread title, are you under the impression that Galland was in the RAF ?

RAF Icons
 

My vote is for Buzz Beurling.

Cheers...Chris

;)

I would go for Basil Embry of Mosquitto fame.

Should have a supplementary section for mavericks such as 'Screwball' Beurling and 'Ginger' Lacey.

Neville Duke met him a few times when he was flying Dowtys dove what a nice guy