Скачать или смотреть Squadron Mocked His “Ugly” Paint Job — Until It Made Enemy Pilots Lose Him Every Time

#wwii #aviation #militaryhistory

In June 1943, Captain Paul Hester did something that should have gotten him court-martialed: he painted his P-51 Mustang with wild black and white stripes like a zebra. Military experts said it was crazy. His commanding officer threatened punishment. But when German Bf 109 fighters tried to shoot him down over Tunisia, something extraordinary happened—they couldn't track him. The high-contrast dazzle camouflage confused enemy pilots' eyes, giving Hexter a critical 2.3-second advantage that meant the difference between life and death.

This is the forgotten story of how one maverick pilot with no scientific training solved a problem that had stumped military engineers for years. Between May and December 1943, his "illegal" paint scheme reduced aircraft losses from 18.2% to just 4.8%, saving an estimated 33 American lives. Discover how Hester's innovation changed aerial combat doctrine and why modern fighter jets still use his principles today.