{"id":2796,"date":"2015-10-01T14:52:21","date_gmt":"2015-10-01T14:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.migflug.com\/jetflights\/?p=2796"},"modified":"2026-03-31T22:39:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T20:39:44","slug":"best-fighter-pilots-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/best-fighter-pilots-of-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Best fighter pilots of all time"},"content":{"rendered":"

We know this is a hard question and easy to criticise – as they flew at different times, had different material etc. We do compare apple and oranges here, and we know it. This list is more entertainment than science, so take it with a pinch of salt. One of the main differences in aerial battle score is that German pilots (as well as Japanese) kept flying and gaining experience until they were killed themselves, while successful Allied pilots where “rewarded” by sending them home where they took over the training of young pilots and passing their skills and experience over to them. So the list with top kills is actually extremely dominated by Nazi German fighter aces, with the top Allied pilot being Lev Shestakov with 66 kills ranks as 231. So the top 230 fighter pilot aces are ALL axis power pilots. Below the top 30 fighter aces of WWII, so you get an idea of the German scores.<\/p>\n

\"Top<\/a><\/p>\n

The most remarkable Fighter Aces<\/h2>\n

However, we try to create the list of most\u00a0remarkable\u00a0fighter aces not solely based on kills, but also on fame, influence, and value the factor that it matters at what time one was active (WWI vs WWII).<\/p>\n

1. Erich “Bubi” Hartmann<\/h3>\n
\"Erich<\/a>

Erich Hartmann<\/p><\/div>\n

Erich Hartmann is the most successful fighter pilot of all times – with 352 kills. A number that will never be surpassed. His nickname “Bubi” means “little boy” – and it’s easy to find out why he was called like that. He was also called “The black devil”. Hartmann flew a Messerschmitt Bf 109.<\/p>\n

Hartmann flew a total of 1404 missions and wasn’t not only never shot down in this huge number of aerial battles, but he also never lost a wingman.
\nHe was active as a flight teacher for the West German Luftwaffe after the War. Later on, he became a civilian flight instructor.<\/p>\n