"JJS" jschneider@remove socks cebridge.net wrote in message
...

"Michael" wrote in message
oups.com...
snip
Late in the game, a prototype was built with single-lever engine
controls. Richard
Bong, one of the most famous of the WWII aces, died test flying it when
an engine blew up.

Michael

I thought he died in one of the first jets... perhaps a P-80?

Correct.

Fuel Pump failure (IIRC) which he did not know how to handle as he was too
much the "hot shot" pilot to read the operating manual.

Interestingly...both Bong and McConnell, the highest scoring aces in WW2 and
Korea, both died right at the respective wars end while test flying, both in
low altitude accidents.