Pierre Decroo, a courageous pilot
The VB-10 was the first military aircraft to fly in France after WWII (july 1945)
It was powered by two Hispano Suiza 12Z engines, driving two propellers. Contrary to the Do-335, both propellers were in front of the aircraft. This mean that the transmission of the forward engine was very complicated... and failed various times.
On 10th January 1948, Arsenal test pilot Pierre Decroo took off from Melun Villaroche test center. He was flying above populated areas when the forward engine took fire. As he didn't wanted to kill people on the ground, he stayed in its burning aircraft until the last moment.
He was badly burned, but saved his life.
After some months in the hospital, he joined one more time Arsenal, testing jet aircrafts. The naval fighter VG-90 was ready in april 1950.
On 25th May 1950, Decroo was at the controls. He intented to make a low-level flying when suddendly the main undecarriage went down, breaking the undercarriage doors. The tail of the plane was destroyed and the plane exploded on the ground. Decroo was killed instantly...
Bad luck, obstination, or courage? In every case, tragic story...
