THE AIR WAR: New-Style Ace

THE AIR WAR New-Style Ace

The allied aviators of World War I established the tradition that an "ace" is a pilot who shoots down five or more enemy planes. In Korea last week, small, cigar-puffing Captain James Jabara of Wichita, Kan. (TIME, April 23) became the world's first jet-powered ace when he knocked down his fifth and sixth MIG-155, in "MIG Alley" near Sinuiju.

Jabara, propeller ace (6½ enemy planes) in World War II, first jumped three MIGs at 35,000 feet. "I picked out the last man and bored straight in," he said. "I fired two bursts which ripped up the fuselage and left wing. The MIG burst into flame and snap-rolled twice. At about 10,000 feet the pilot bailed out. Just as he jumped, the MIG disintegrated." Then Jabara climbed back to 20,000 and got No. 6. (This week Ace Jabara was relieved of combat flying, sent to a Japanese air base as an instructor in jet-fighting tactics).

Jabara's battle took place when 50 MIGs bounced 28 U.S. Sabres near the Manchurian border. Other pilots destroyed a third enemy plane, scored one as a probable, damaged five. It was the fattest toll of enemy jets since April 22.