28 |FLIGHTPATH

In late 1944, a ditching by a young American pilot resulted in two extraordinary

outcomes. His rescuers shot down a Japanese seaplane during the rescue

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Hitting a

Brick Wall

With full flaps and feathered props, Summers ditches his

A-20Gdownwindintoalargeswellinfadingdaylight.He

levelled out as he heard the starboard propeller tip tick the

tops of the waves. He progressively pulled the stick back

into his stomach to slow the bomber, but it still hit hard.

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