Thomas Hunter (aviator)

Captain Thomas Vicars Hunter was a First World War flying ace credited with five aerial victories. He had a leg amputated because of wounds suffered as an infantryman; he was the first known military pilot to qualify as a pilot and fly combat despite that disability.

Biography
Hunter was educated at Eton and RMC Sandhurst. He joined the Rifle Brigade and was commissioned in December 1914. The following month, he was so seriously wounded in battle that his leg had to be amputated. Early in 1917, he joined the Royal Flying Corps. His nickname "Sticky" referred to his wooden leg; he was known to remove it during rowdy parties to keep it whole.

During his assignment to 66 Squadron, he used his Sopwith Pup to score five triumphs between 12 July and 8 November 1917. He became a flight commander in September 1917. He was killed in a flying accident on 5 December, just after his squadron had shifted from the Western Front to Italy.