Jeffrey Ethell
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Ethell was an American aviation
author
and pilot
who wrote extensively on aviation and military
matters. He was killed on June 6, 1997, when the restored P-38 Lightning
he was flying crashed at Tillamook, Oregon
, while preparing for an airshow
to honor his father, one of the top P-38 aces
of WWII.
Starting at a remarkably young age he published an extensive series of technical studies of WWII-era aircraft and eventually would fly over two hundred different aircraft including most of the various warbird
s of the allied and Axis sides from WWII
. His works on color photography of the WWII era brought to life an era which too many thought had only been filmed in black and white. He guest lectured extensively at numerous colleges and academic institutes. His co-authored study of the first American daylight attack on Berlin
has often been compared to the works of Cornelius Ryan
and Steven Ambrose in presenting a balanced account of one of the most pivotal events of WWII, the first daylight deep penetration raid against the capital of Nazi Germany. He was featured in a PBS Nova program
about the military aircraft
of the former Soviet Union
, and appeared as an expert commentator on numerous documentaries.
His extensive collection of WWII colour photographs was made available online after his death.
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
who wrote extensively on aviation and military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
matters. He was killed on June 6, 1997, when the restored P-38 Lightning
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
he was flying crashed at Tillamook, Oregon
Tillamook, Oregon
The city of Tillamook is the county seat of Tillamook County, Oregon, United States. The city is located on the southeast end of Tillamook Bay on the Pacific Ocean. The population was 4,352 at the 2000 census...
, while preparing for an airshow
Airshow
An air show is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their aircraft to spectators in aerobatics. Air shows without aerobatic displays, having only aircraft displayed parked on the ground, are called "static air shows"....
to honor his father, one of the top P-38 aces
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
of WWII.
Starting at a remarkably young age he published an extensive series of technical studies of WWII-era aircraft and eventually would fly over two hundred different aircraft including most of the various warbird
Warbird
Warbird is a term used, predominantly in North America, to describe vintage military aircraft.- Naming :Although the term originally implied piston-driven aircraft from the World War II era, it is now often extended to include all military aircraft, including jet-powered aircraft, that are no...
s of the allied and Axis sides from WWII
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
. His works on color photography of the WWII era brought to life an era which too many thought had only been filmed in black and white. He guest lectured extensively at numerous colleges and academic institutes. His co-authored study of the first American daylight attack on Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
has often been compared to the works of Cornelius Ryan
Cornelius Ryan
Cornelius Ryan, was an Irish journalist and author mainly known for his writings on popular military history, especially his World War II books: The Longest Day: June 6, 1944 D-Day , The Last Battle , and A Bridge Too Far .-Early life:Ryan was born in Dublin and educated at Synge Street CBS,...
and Steven Ambrose in presenting a balanced account of one of the most pivotal events of WWII, the first daylight deep penetration raid against the capital of Nazi Germany. He was featured in a PBS Nova program
NOVA (TV series)
Nova is a popular science television series from the U.S. produced by WGBH Boston. It can be seen on the Public Broadcasting Service in the United States, and in more than 100 other countries...
about the military aircraft
Military aircraft
A military aircraft is any fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft that is operated by a legal or insurrectionary armed service of any type. Military aircraft can be either combat or non-combat:...
of the former Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, and appeared as an expert commentator on numerous documentaries.
His extensive collection of WWII colour photographs was made available online after his death.