Hap Smith Quotes in Flying Tigers (1942)

Woody Jason: [after Blackie has been shot down and killed] ... C'mon, fellas, you can't pin this on me! If Blackie hadn't opened his chute so soon, it wouldn't have happened!

Hap Smith: Maybe if you'd followed Blackie down, it wouldn't have happened, either! You were nearest to him, and you were in the clear. What happened?

Woody Jason: ...A Mitsi got in my way.

Hap Smith: [bitter] I guess it's easier to see 500 bucks than a pal of yours in trouble.

Jim Gordon: [following Hap's medical examination] Come on in, Hap... I gotta hand you one on the chin, but I'd rather it came from me than from anybody else: You're through flying.

Hap Smith: The doctor said I'd out-live Confucius.

Jim Gordon: Sure, if you stay on the ground... I can't send a man out there who doesn't know whether he's flying upside down or not! Take a look at that eye chart; your depth perception's a mile off! I know you've been gunning 'em since they were box-kites with broomsticks for rudders. But you gotta believe me, I'm doin' this for you! You've been close-winging in formation, overshooting your landings...

Hap Smith: [sounding as if he might cry] You don't have to say any more!... What else COULD I do around here?

Jim Gordon: Well, taking care of these ships on the ground is just as important as gunning them upstairs. I need a man I can trust for that... I wish you'd take that job, Hap.