SKYFOX

The distinguished flying career of Skyfox

My name is Gerald Moser-Fürst - I was born 1918 as son of a metal worker in Rockford Illinois. My grandfather immigrated to America in 1864. When I was 16 years old, my parents picked me up and we went to an air show. That was the most impressive experience I ever had till then- except this kiss from Helen - but that's another story. From then on I knew to become a pilot soon or later. I acceded the army and received my basic training there.

In the early days of the Spanish Civil War in 1937 some U.S. volunteers went to Spain to defend the democratically-elected Spanish Republic against a military uprising headed by General Francisco Franco. We believed our defense of the Spanish Republic to be the last chance at stemming the tide of international fascism. I went to Spain as a volunteer, because they told us to get $1,500 per month salary and a $1,000 bounty on every Axis plane we downed. Soon after my arrival in Spain I started my flight training in a old Dewoitine. That's my flight instructor and me sitting on the training airplane.

When I finished my trainings, I was assigned to a squadron where Frank Tinker - the best American fighter pilot in the Spanish civil war - was in. Right after the war ended, I read that he got 8 confirmed kills during this conflict. Here is a picture of our squadron - Tinker is the one standing on the left side - I am pretty sure you know where I am located on this photograph.

My first sortie in flying the Polikarpov I-15 was an average success - I got no kill and kept alive - but had minor troubles on takeoff.

The next operation was much better - I took off and was finally flying this damned I-15. After a while I recognized that landing this plane is the real tricky part. Some injuries, but I survived this incident.

When I opened my eyes after this accident the first thing I saw were her beautiful brown eyes. Simultaneous I felt in love with her - Anastasiya was her name. These 3 months where I had been in sick leave were beyond description - maybe had been the best time in my life.

When I reported for duty we already got new planes- I-16's. This Russian designed fighter proved very successful in Spain. It was also the greatest fighter of its day, but it was slightly marred by being tricky to fly and dangerous to an inexperienced pilot.

I was so pleased that our squadron get rid of the old I-15's. We all were very enthusiastic. My first sortie ought to be a recon mission, but I taxied too fast on the airfield and bent over.

My commanding officer looked like he is getting a cardiac infarction on the debriefing - bawling with me more than half an hour. He suspended me from office and transferred me to the infantry - all my dreams collapsed. I wasn't able to take this decision and don't wanted to pass away on the battleground. Anastasiya and me deserted - we decided to bluff our way to Russia, where Anastasiya has relatives. At Valencia we hired on a Russian freighter who brought us to Murmansk.

We headed south by foot and met with Anastasiya's best girlfriend Mayya, an NKVD officer who had been assinged to the 69.GIAP Aviation Squadron. She had access to Tooz's office and counterfeited my pilot logbook. I soon became a member of the squadron and they think that I am an ace - hopefully 7 confirmed kills in my documents wasn't too much cheating. I make every endeavor to remain a member of this squadron, because this facetious old man called Stenka behave decently to me, and the others as well.