... No reason for me to doubt. I wasn't there ... If the story is true, that's pretty amazing, lucky, skillful flying, etc. etc. ...
Photo states: "FG-1D of 2Lt. Frazer damaged during an air battle on the 22nd of June, 1945 with a N1K2-J Shiden."
A few discussions from the links below:
https://www.reddit.com/r/WWIIplanes/com ... _after_an/http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/archive/i ... -8363.htmlInteresting details that are visible:
- hole in rudder and damaged left horizontal stabilizer (battle damage?)
- large tear down the rear fuselage (cannon shell or prop strike?)
- scratches down the side of the cockpit
- missing canopy (did Frazer consider bailing or did the pilot have to be cut out, possibly explaining the scratches?)
- misalignment of the bulkhead behind the cockpit (possibly indicating structural failure following a very rough landing)
- torn-off left wing (Frazer was hit a badly in the left wing and could this have fallen off upon landing or did this aircraft in the photo collide in a landing accident?)
- fluid leaks all over the wing
- fuel tanks still attached (Frazer indeed couldn't drop his tanks)The book below describes the encounter: