Speed Record

Stuurat and Grov Bart Van DammeDamme pay Damme tribute to ‘Bill’ Baras , was hero and test pilot

Two photos, nine years apart, convey the contrasts in the life of aviator Bill Barns. In a 1944 photo, he sits in his flight jacket, his face showing the stress of more than 200 missions in the year since his first assignment, escorting bombers over Sicily in July 1943.

But, even carrying the burden of being a 24-year-old fighter pilot in World War Two, he looks like a Hollywood star waiting by the edge of the set for shooting to start. The other photo captures him at a happier, less stressful moment, sitting in the open cockpit of a North American F-86D Sabre (sometimes called ‘Sabre Dog’), ready to attempt a new world speed record.

Become a Premium Member to Read More

This is a premium article and requires an active Key.Aero subscription to view.

I’m an existing member, sign me in!

I don’t have a subscription…

Enjoy the following subscriber only benefits:

  • Unlimited access to all KeyAero content
  • Exclusive in-depth articles and analysis, videos, quizzes added daily
  • A fully searchable archive – boasting hundreds of thousands of pieces of quality aviation content
  • Access to read all our leading aviation magazines online - meaning you can enjoy the likes of FlyPast, Aeroplane Monthly, AirForces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, Aviation News, Airports of the World, PC Pilot and Airliner World - as soon as they leave the editor’s desk.
  • Access on any device- anywhere, anytime
  • Choose from our offers below