On this Day (WWI aviation news), Vol. 3

[PJ Fisher]

Udet to Invade U.S.?
During the upheavals flanking the birth of the Weimar Republic, Germany's highest-scoring ace to survive the war appears to be looking beyond his home country for career opportunities.  It's unclear to me if Ernst Udet actually ever landed an agent for this proposed American endeavor, but he would spend the next decade living the life of an international playboy.  He did land in the United States in 1931 when he was "...invited to the National Air Races held in Cleveland, Ohio. He accepted and treated the crowd to a spectacular air show performance. After his flight, he was introduced on the stage by the American ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Also brought up on stage was {American fighter pilot} Walter Wanamaker, who shook hands with Udet. Udet then presented the serial numbers to Wanamaker that he cut from his plane thirteen years before after shooting him down."  That incident was Udet's 39th victory, which occurred over Bezu-St. Germaine on 2 July 1918.
(respectively from the Evening Capital News and the Washington Herald, 26 and 27 April 1919):



(image via nationalmuseum.af.mil)

[PJ Fisher]

Friedrichshafen Fighter!
Looks like we have another aero rarity pictured in today's article... the newly-debuted Albatros-like Friedrichshafen D.1. "Although the D.I was developed from the FF.43, they did not share any components. The D.I replaced the floats with a conventional landing gear arrangement, but retained its predecessor's single-bay, staggered-wing design, 160 hp Mercedes D.III straight-six engine and its pair of synchronised 7.92 mm Spandau machine guns. The two prototypes were tested by Idflieg until 28 April 1917, revealing that they possessed flight characteristics and performance inferior to that of the Albatross {sic} D.III, so it did not order the D.I into production and the project was abandoned." (via wikipedia)


(from the Sydney Sun, 28 April 1918):

[PJ Fisher]

Caproni Caravan
Another ambitious American has devised plans for a transatlantic train of Caproni triplane bombers to Britain.  This time it's Henry Woodhouse, who's dark past was illuminated here last June (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg255640#msg255640).
(from the Evening World, 29 April 1918):

[PJ Fisher]

Austrian Air Losses
Would anyone here know the identity of this derelict hydroplane numbered 'T 188'?
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 30 April 1917):

[PJ Fisher]

Inspiration
Just in time for today's kickoff of the David Wilson Memorial Group Build, here's a profile on the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a from an article published on this day in 1918.  These plans were based on the Vickers-built machine with serial number B507, flown by 2nd. Lieutenant J. J. Fitzgerald of No.60 Squadron in October 1917.  Engine failure over Bavikhove forced him to land on Jasta 18's Harlebeke airfield where his 'kampf-einsitzer' was captured intact.  An airworthy replica of B507 exists today... here's a 'walkaround' gallery of another reproduction by the same manufacturer for further inspiration to anyone aiming to contribute an S.E.5a to the Group Build: https://thevintageaviator.co.nz/projects/se-5a-reproduction/se5a-walkaround. Model on everyone!
(from Aeronautical Engineering, 1 May 1918)



(image via flickr)

[PJ Fisher]

Forever Grounded
Well, here we have it- official confirmation that Manfred von Richtofen was shot down by ground fire. Pfffew... that ends that debate!  As is well known, The Great War's leading ace was killed in combat just eight days prior.  The crash site being a field just north of the village of Vaux-sur-Somme.
(from the Bendigo Advertiser, 2 May 1918)



(image via pierreswesternfront.nl)

[JamesAPrattIII]

reply 33 the A-H seaplane was the K 188 Oeffag made on 17 Apr 17 it was FTL in the sea while on a recon op to Venice the crew were later POWs of the Italians.

[PJ Fisher]

reply 33 the A-H seaplane was the K 188 Oeffag made on 17 Apr 17 it was FTL in the sea while on a recon op to Venice the crew were later POWs of the Italians.

Brilliant - thanks!

[PJ Fisher]

Italian Aces
A survey of Italy's finest flying fighters from the Great War.  Loosely translated:
"We have before us the official list of aerial victories approved by Italian pilots of the land air force from 24 May 1915 until the day of the armistice (4 November 1918). This list includes only the victories for which all the required verification tests were achieved and which had official approval, always applied with rigorous concepts.

At the top of the ranking, with 34 confirmed victories, is the most senior Francesco Baracca fell on June 18 on Montello; Lieutenant Silvio Scaroni comes second with 26 victories; third was lieutenant colonel Pier Ruggiero Piccio with 24 victories; fourth was Lieutenant Flavio Baracchini with 21 victories; fifth the captain Folco Ruffo of Calabria with 20 victories; in sixth place are Lieutenant Rerruccio Renza and Sergeant Marzinie Caratti with 17 victories, in seventh place is Lieutenant Olivari Luigi with 12 victories, who fell on 13 October 1917 in Campoformido, eighth place is held by Lieutenant Angilotto Giovanni and by Sergeant Reali Antonio with 11 victories: in second place with 8 victories each are lieutenants Gastone Novelli, Flaminio Avet, Carlo Lombardo. second lieutenants Leonardi Alvaro, Cabruna Ernesto, sergeant Nicelli Giovanni, who fell on 5 May 1918; in tenth place, with 7 victories each, are captain Riva An-tonio, lieutenants Fucili Mario and Eleu-Renella Cosimo; the eleventh place is held, for 6 victories achieved by captain Costantini Bortolo, by lieutenant Olivi Luigi - who fell on 17 July 1917 - by lieutenant Parvis Giuliano, by the sergeants Imolesi Attilio - who fell on 3 March 1918 - Stoppani Mario, ardini Guido, Bocchese IA1-(or, Ticoni Romolo, Magistrini Cesare and Rizzotto Cosimo; the twelfth place, finally, is held, for having shot down five enemy aircraft, by Captain Giovanni - who fell on 25 October 1917 - Buzio Alessandro, Masiero Guido, Bedendo Sebastiano, Me-cozzi Amedeo, Michetti Giorgio, from the second lieutenants Allasia Michele-caduto 20 July 1918-Amantea An-tonio, Resch Alessandrove by Sergeant Chiri Antonio.

This ranking is followed by another 200 names of military aviators, who shot down from 4 to 1 aircraft. From 24 May 1915 to 4 November 1918, Italian land aviation pilots shot down enemy aircraft and destroyed Draken for a total of 643. In the same period of war, our losses at the hands of the enemy amounted to 128 aircraft. Those victories which, although reliable, were not completely proven by documents are excluded from the above ranking."
(from The Patriot, 3 May 1919):



Have a look at forum member DaveB's build of the 1/32 Roden SPAD XIII as flown by Italy's fifth-ranking ace Capt. Fulco Ruffo di Calabria of 91a Squadriglia: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13762.msg253986#msg253986