Louis Bennett Jr - Balloon Ace

[guitarlute101]

Hi everyone,


  Today (8/24) is the the 99th year anniversary of Louis Bennett Jr's death. He was a famous WW1 Balloon ace from Weston, WV (the next town over from me). He had a very short career (9 days, flew 25 missions) but became WV's only WW1 ace. The German soldier who shot him down sent his mother a letter after the war.

 Unfortunately, no one really knows about him anymore here in the area. I contacted several historians here in the US and in England to research the two aircraft he flew and I am currently building a 1/32 scale model of one of the aircraft and I'm donating it to the Military museum in Weston when it's finished.

 I think an equally moving story is about a mother's love for her son and her efforts to bring him home (he is buried in Weston) and erect monuments to him after the war. I've attached some Internet sites where you can read about him when you get the time.


Mark




https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=13588858

http://www.wvculture.org/history/wvmemory/vets/bennettlouis/bennettlouis.html

http://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/WWI-letter

http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/usa/bennett1.php

[petrov27]

Very interesting history there and an ace I knew nothing about - thank you for the links and information!

Are his aircraft markings known? Would be interested to see your 1/32 model when complete!

[lcarroll]

Mark,
     Thanks for this, a very interesting read. Great work on your part in researching and donating a model of his aircraft for his home town museum, we as a hobby community could and should do more of this sort of thing.
Cheers,
Lance