How about this great original color image, shot 80 years ago this week, 31 July 1944. The RAF’s top-scoring fighter pilot flying in northwest Europe, Wing Commander James Edgar “Johnny” Johnson, is seen below with his pet black lab, Sally.
IWM (TR 2145)
Johnson recorded 38 victories, though at the time of the photograph, his total was 35. He commanded No 127 Wing composed of three Canadian Spitfire squadrons. The decorations on his tunic are a DSO with two Bars and a DFC with one Bar.
Johnnie and Sally Johnson, relaxing in between sorties on the wing of his Spitfire in Normandy, c.June–August 1944. Note the 20mm cannon.
Born in 1915, Johnson volunteered for the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) as an airman (754750) in August 1939 just weeks before Hitler marched into Poland, and became an officer pilot (83267) in August 1940 with just 55 hours of solo flying on his book.
By 1942, he was the skipper of No. 610 Squadron and by 1944 would move on to commander of first No. 127, then No. 144, and finally No. 124 Wing, flying over 700 sorties during WWII.
Air Vice Marshal James Edgar Johnson, CB, CBE, DSO & Two Bars, DFC & Bar, DL, retired from the RAF in 1966.