Famous NZ World War II fighter pilot dies at 94

Johnny Checketts, one of New Zealand's greatest fighter pilots of World War II, has died at the age of 94.

During the war he flew at least 418 sorties, many of them over Nazi occupied Europe.

He shot down 14 1/2 German aircraft (one victim shared), two V1 flying bombs, destroyed two German E boats, had four probable "kills" and damaged at least 11 German aircraft.

Twice he was shot down by Luftwaffe fighters but bailed out.

Born at Invercargill, Mr Checketts was a motor mechanic by trade.

He joined the Air Force as a 28-year-old in mid-1940, but the Battle of Britain was long over by the time he reached England. Mr Checketts, who flew Spitfires for 611 Squadron, Royal Air Force, and 485 (NZ) Squadron, was one of New Zealand's best fighter pilots of the war. "I had very good eyesight," he said. "I could see an enemy aircraft at a great distance and it gave me the opportunity to put myself in a position to win a victory or shoot him down." In July and August 1943 Mr Checketts bagged eight enemy fighters, for which he won the DFC.

Mr Checketts' funeral will be held at St Matthew's Anglican Church in Christchurch tomorrow.

- NZPA

* An obituary will appear in the Weekend Herald.