Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Hawker Sea Fury" in English language version.
In the four minutes of air combat, it was a MiG 'kill' and two or three damaged, probably beyond repair. It became a cause célèbre in the Fleet Air Arm. Many Sea Fury pilots were disappointed for Smoo Ellis, who kept his own counsel on the matter even when flight leader Carmichael was awarded the victory.
It appears that the Navy wanted a hero - one pilot, one kill - and it picked the most senior man. It can't have been easy for Carmichael either. On a number of occasions, he made the point that credit should go to the flight and not just to him, but it was never a message which people wanted to hear. Particularly from him, perhaps.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)In the four minutes of air combat, it was a MiG 'kill' and two or three damaged, probably beyond repair. It became a cause célèbre in the Fleet Air Arm. Many Sea Fury pilots were disappointed for Smoo Ellis, who kept his own counsel on the matter even when flight leader Carmichael was awarded the victory.
It appears that the Navy wanted a hero - one pilot, one kill - and it picked the most senior man. It can't have been easy for Carmichael either. On a number of occasions, he made the point that credit should go to the flight and not just to him, but it was never a message which people wanted to hear. Particularly from him, perhaps.