WWII Veteran Flew Over 250 Combat Sorties

One of the premier Spitfire airshow pilots to fly on the North American circuit has Gone West. Gerald 'Jerry' Billing passed away January 9, according to the blog allthingsaero.com.

According to his official website jerrybilling.com, Billing served in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during WWII, during which time he flew over 250 combat sorties in the Supermarine Spitfire. He served in the RCAF until 1964, and was a member of the Blue Devils, the first jet demonstration team in Canada. After he retired, he became a test pilot for DeHavilland, and delivered Caribou aircraft for the CIA during the Vietnam war. He was also the head aerobatic trainer for the RCAF Golden Hawks.

Billing flew aircraft ranging from the Tiger Moth to the F-104 Starfighter.

He flew Spitfires in air shows all throughout North America, even performing before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 1984.

Billing retired from air show flying in 1994. He instructed many of the pilots still flying Spitfires on the air show circuit today.

(Spitfire pictured in file photo)

FMI: www.jerrybilling.com