forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
The Book Shelf => What's interesting to read => Topic started by: PJ Fisher on April 02, 2024, 07:14:52 AM
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Ready to Go!
This relatively early-war illustration shows a well-armed British-flown Farman F.20 prepared to fly in wintry weather.
(from the Adelaiede Sport, 1 April 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/qMXHskfs/04-01-1915-Farman-in-snow-Adelaide-Sport.png) (https://postimg.cc/crHzZGLC)
I recently was able to access all the old kits and bits I had in storage for years. Among the dusty boxes I found the carcass of a near-identical Farman I started scratch-building in 1/72 nearly twenty years ago but never finished. This particular model represents #1817 of No.3 Squadron RFC, stationed at St. Omer in late 1914. It could well be the exact airplane depicted in today's story as the image is very similar to a photograph of #1817 illustrated in J.M. Bruce's The Aeroplanes of the RoyalFlying Corps (Military Wing). Here are some fresh photos of my old work:
(https://i.postimg.cc/3JFLwNpv/IMG-6038.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/6yTVj9MW)
(https://i.postimg.cc/25hLzbLp/IMG-6040.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/d7QV609n)
Looks like I had most of it ready to go. The fuel tank was styrene wrapped around a balsa core with a strand of superglue-laden hair do the solder lines. The propeller was carved from a scrap of stained bamboo that came from a split cutting board. Some of the struts are also bamboo, with tiny bits of guitar string inserted for pins. The Union Jacks were intentionally left without the use of white, as there doesn't appear to be any in the photorgaph I based the build on. The motor came from an old Airfix Avro 504 kit. I seem to recall I had gotten frustrated trying to assemble the aftermarket photo-etched wheels, then set it aside. One of these days I'll get around to resurrecting it!
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Looks like you were doing your typically beautiful work on it, hope you actually do get inspired to finish it one of these days! Considering what a hugely important role the Farmans played in the opening phases of the war it's sad that one so seldom sees them modelled.
Dutch
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Looks like you were doing your typically beautiful work on it, hope you actually do get inspired to finish it one of these days! Considering what a hugely important role the Farmans played in the opening phases of the war it's sad that one so seldom sees them modelled.
Thanks! True about the Farmans... and pushers in general - under-represented in any scale.
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Bombing Advice
(from the Yale Expositor, 2 April 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Lswxj7bw/04-02-1918-Bombing-Techniques-Yale-Expositor-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/LqkkpyR3)
(https://i.postimg.cc/bwCq5t2D/04-02-1918-Bombing-Techniques-Yale-Expositor-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/G4D089Kd)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Nfn2Gc93/04-02-1918-Bombing-Techniques-Yale-Expositor-3.png) (https://postimg.cc/QHpdSvqm)
The featured bomb looks to be a British 16lb high-explosive type. Here's a 3D rendering I've done of it:
(https://i.postimg.cc/6qfxQRhH/Bomb-16lb-Hale.png) (https://postimg.cc/p5r6Gm48)(https://i.postimg.cc/zGQgXRvS/OBL-16lb-Hale-32-v39.png) (https://postimg.cc/jDz5M2zL)
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Record Height Flight?
Taking off in a prewar Rumpler, Gino Linnekogel soared to an unprecedented height this week. Or did he? By some sources, the official altitude records going in the the Great War was Roland Garros, who climbed to 18,410 in the fall of 1912. The 20k ft. threshold would not be officially surpassed until November 1916 when Guido Guidi reached 26,083 ft in a Caudron G.4. However, as has headlined here in the past, others made unofficial height records during this time period.
This was not the aviator's first purported pioneering achievement. Way back in December 1911, Linnekogel, with Suvelick Johannistha, flew a Taube monoplne for four hours and 35 minutes for a two-man endurance record.
(from the Monmouth Guardian and Bargoed and Caerphilly Observer, 3 April 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/pX6P47dH/04-03-1914-Rumpler-Record-Monmouth-Guardian-and-Bargoed-and-Caerphilly-Observer.png) (https://postimages.org/)
[(https://i.postimg.cc/8zV96hpq/csm-FM-87-61-185-8-Kester-P-1-ONLINE-619092a75b.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/15cX6r0F/s-l1600.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(images respectively via sammlungonline.muenchner-stadtmuseum.de, and ebay.fr)
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Looks like you were doing your typically beautiful work on it, hope you actually do get inspired to finish it one of these days! Considering what a hugely important role the Farmans played in the opening phases of the war it's sad that one so seldom sees them modelled.
Thanks! True about the Farmans... and pushers in general - under-represented in any scale.
I personally hope we see a new-tool Vickers Gunbus in 1/48, but Farmans would be extremely well received!
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I personally hope we see a new-tool Vickers Gunbus in 1/48, but Farmans would be extremely well received!
now you're talkin'
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"No Loose Parts"
Unknown circumstances caused the crashing of two assembly-line-sister Sopwiths on the same day. First to fall was 1 1/2 Strutter #7772, piloted by Australian Flight Lieutenant Sydney Woodrow of No. 54 Sqadron, whose plane inexplicably nose-dived from 1 1/2 miles up. The second Strutter, #7773 of 45 Sqdn, sputtered in a crash landing, injuring it's pilot. The first image below depicts a Strutter with the near serial of #7777.
Woodrow, the subject of today's headline, was buried in England. In his memory, a four-bladed propellor was fashioned into a cross; it hangs in St. Nicholas & St. Peter ad Vincula Church, North Warwickshire.
(from the Sydney Mail, Sunday Times edition; 4 April 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/mkXj869M/04-04-1915-Sopwith-Scout-Sydney-Sunday-Times.png) (https://postimg.cc/ct3fJhX4)(https://i.postimg.cc/C5VL5tRV/Screenshot-2024-04-05-at-10-14-50-AM.png) (https://postimg.cc/TLCXHtjk)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rspZ1y0G/nl162-41-7777-FAAM-JMBGSL05913.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(images respectively via iwm.org.uk and kingstonaviation.org)
Here's a look at forum member macsporran's build of the 1/32 Roden Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14195.msg261147#msg261147
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By the Hundreds
Anyone recognize these chaps?
(from the Sydney Mirror, 5 April 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/qMR5ySNV/04-05-1918-By-the-Hundreds-Sydney-Mirror.png) (https://postimg.cc/9z6bjxPJ)
"From 1917, after the lessons of the Somme and Verdun, all air services consisted of fighters, reconnaissance aircraft, and day and night bombers, though in differing proportions as shown in {the} Table below. By mid-1918 the British had proportionally more fighters and bombers than other air services and fewer observation aircraft because of the priority the RFC, and subsequently RAF, gave to offensive action, whereas in France and German the priority was air observation for the army. The German Air Service in 1918 had become increasingly defensive; hence by the Armistice the proportion of fighters had reached 50%. The German Air Service also employed, uniquely, specialist battlefield ground attack aircraft, which made up 8% of its strength. The expanding US air service’s composition in 1918 was largely determined by aircraft availability." (Air Power On the Western Front in 1918, via medium.com)
(https://i.postimg.cc/wMVpbQwz/1-n-SWQr-Cr-F148-FLGRF5a-m-Q.webp) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via medium.com)
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Entrepreneur Aviators
Coupled with yesterday's headline on British aerial achievements, here's another report - this time from early in the war. Charles Gordon Bell (pictured upper left) earned the 100th pilot license issued by England's Royal Aero Club. Reportedly he had piloted over sixty different aircraft types before the outbreak of the Great War. He achieved ace status flying the Bristol Scout. Irishman Lord Carbery enlisted with the RNAS, he brought his own airplane along with him. His life story is wild; here's a snapshot: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/106-years-ago-today-9-july-1914-maverick-10th-lord-carbery-holohan/
(from the The War Illustrated Album DeLuxe, 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y0HNLRym/00-00-1915-warillustratedal01hammuoft-0298.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mzm10Y4b)
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'Pigeon' Decapitates Rooster
...and other instances of collateral damage.
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 7 April 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/mgJWfPLy/04-07-1915-Pigeon-Decapitates-Rooster-Cambria-Daily-Leader-1.png) (https://postimages.org/) (https://i.postimg.cc/JzGC2NLh/04-07-1915-Pigeon-Decapitates-Rooster-Cambria-Daily-Leader-2.png) (https://postimages.org/) (https://i.postimg.cc/5NPMgPDG/04-07-1915-Pigeon-Decapitates-Rooster-Cambria-Daily-Leader-3.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Herr Fokker
Here's another spotlight on the renowned Dutch airplane designer, published in advance of the soon-to-be 'Fokker Scourge'.
(from the Evening Public Ledger, 8 April 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/HW4rYGSk/04-08-1916-Herr-Fokker-Evening-Public-Ledger.png) (https://postimg.cc/WtzN8yLB)
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Fells Two Flyers With One... Bomb?
See second section below... is this alleged amazing aerial feat by an Austrian over two Russian adversaries a true or tall tale?
(from the New-York Tribune, 9 April 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/VvYyQWkc/04-09-1915-Austrians-Bomb-New-York-Tribune.png) (https://postimg.cc/0MHX7mSt)
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Murometz in Action
Highlights of Russian results from the Eastern Front today.
(from the New York Tribune, 10 April 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/63mzDXBy/04-10-1916-Russians-Repel-New-York-Tribune.png) (https://postimg.cc/zbTng4br)
Here's a great in-the-round spotlight on the Ilya Muromets over on youtube, via sikorskyarchives.com: https://sikorskyarchives.com/home/sikorsky-product-history/the-russian-years/sikorsky-s-22/
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Friend and Foe
The account of famous aces from the Western front show that someone was taking the time to keep tabs.
(from the Wahpeton Times, 11 April 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/mZjCXQwq/04-11-1918-Friend-and-Foe-Lose-Wahpeton-Times-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/xqkXqNBy)
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Bad Day for an S.E.5a
During a last 'Victory Loan' tour in the United States a malfunctioning Royal Aircraft Factory machine fell to the earth.
(from the Evening Public Ledger, 12 April 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y2WVgqck/04-12-1919-S-E-5a-Wrecked-Evening-Public-Ledger.png) (https://postimages.org/)
The American 'Flying Circus' troupe headlined here last May: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg254751#msg254751
Here's a look back at a postwar S.E.5a built by forum member drdave: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=961.msg14394#msg14394
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He Flew For France
James Rogers McConnell was said to have a "hatred of the humdrum, an abhorrence of the commonplace, a passion for the picturesque." These yearning led him to first volunteer for the American Ambulance Corps in France and then the renowned Lafayette Escadrille. McConnell flew on the Escadrille Américaine's first patrol and would become last American pilot to be killed in World War I before the U.S. formally entered the conflict. He was brought down by two German fighters in the area of St.-Quentin on 19 March. The French buried him at the site of his wreckage in a meadow at the edge of the village of Jussy. A statue dedicated to McConnell was erected at the University of Virginia (his alma mater). It was designed by Gutzon Borglum, the same sculptor best known for his monumental work at Mount Rushmore.
(from the Abergavenny Chronicle, 13 April 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/gk0PWdTt/04-13-1917-Mc-Connell-Killed-Abergavenny-Chronicle.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/k484F6mX/mcconfp.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/RZ9c3mwH/service-pnp-ggbain-27200-27225v.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/25tbxNLT/saam-s0000277-header.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/67dp9S0G)
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Huckepack Machen
Despite the graininess of this photo, I see the makings of an interesting diorama vignette.
(from the Perth Daily News, 14 April 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/fLmBmKq2/04-14-1915-Aeroplane-on-a-Motor-Daily-News-Perth.png) (https://postimg.cc/yg6mzFHc)
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Last Flight of the 'Phoenix Boy'
(from the Arizona Republican, 15 April 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/PrRy1tQ5/04-15-1919-Frank-Luke-Medal-Arizona-Republican-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/ppKKHMSw)(https://i.postimg.cc/Y9Rf0kSk/04-15-1919-Frank-Luke-Medal-Arizona-Republican-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/dk7TNbdS)
Here's a link to a past headline on American aviator Frank Luke from the Arizona Republican: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg249952#msg249952
And here's a look back a Luke's SPAD XIII in 1/72 by forum member IanB: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=3309.msg55731#msg55731
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Farewell to a Friend
Fellow fliers say goodbye to American test-pilot Peter Carl "Tex" Millman in today's news. In the first photo below he looks to be perched in a modified Deperdussin. In the second picture he's shown, i believe, piloting the experimental Sturtevant B, which crash on his initial test. "One of the most unusual single-seat pursuit aircraft designed and built in the USA during World War I was the Sturtevant B, created by Grover C Loening. Embodying a number of advanced features, such as a welded steel tube structure, the Sturtevant B was a sesquiplane of unique configuration in that the lower plane was a narrow-chord surface with the primary purpose of providing anchorage for the apices of the quadrupod bracing struts. Power was provided by a 140 hp Sturtevant A5 eight-cylinder water-cooled engine with radiators mounted beneath the mainplane centre section leading edge on each side of the fuselage. Four examples of the Sturtevant B were ordered by the US Army Signal Corps in 1916, the first of these flying on 20 March 1917. Malfunction of the tail control surfaces led the test pilot to decide to terminate the flight and the virtually unmanageable aircraft struck a tree during the landing approach and was wrecked. This accident led to the US Army cancelling the remaining three aircraft". (via flyingmachines.ru)
(from the Prescott Daily News, 16 April 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/vmHwrqkW/04-16-1917-Flowers-for-Grave-Prescott-Daily-News.png) (https://postimg.cc/5XGr13x0)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y9H84qgK/download-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/94LyK2JJ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sxPYt6Bw/545-6.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Check out forum member Tim Mixon's recent Deperdussin Monocoque: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14189.msg261007#msg261007
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Dive to Death
On the first of this month the star pioneer French aviator Roland Garros made history by achieving the first ever shooting-down of an aircraft by a fighter firing through a tractor propeller. Today's news arrives after Garros' second victory from two days back when he pummeled another German aircraft.
(respectively from the South Wales Weekly Post and the Cambria Daily Leader, 17 April 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/W1Sv2B3C/04-17-1915-Dive-to-Death-South-Wales-Weekly-Post.png) (https://postimg.cc/687Sc1Cf)(https://i.postimg.cc/cC6KmRz4/04-17-1915-Garros-Gets-Aviatik-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/tnQCRxyL)(https://i.postimg.cc/MGntHLxd/Morane-Saulnier-L-airscrew-with-deflector.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kVdWhf2b)
Tomorrow Garros will score his third victory... and then fate will intervene: "...the fuel line of his Morane Saulnier Type G became clogged, causing engine trouble. He came down in German-controlled territory where he was grabbed by alert German Infantrymen. The intact gun and propeller were quickly rushed to Germany's best aircraft designer, Anthony Fokker. Fokker quickly dismissed the steel deflector plates and designed a practical interrupter gear for use on the Fokker E.I Monoplane. The Interrupter gear began the "Fokker Scourge", and for a time Germany had the upper hand in the air war." (via wikipedia)
Check out forum member ebergerud's 1/32nd-scale build of a Morane Saulnier N with deflector gear in the manner of Garros': https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11149.msg206322#msg206322
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Teenage Thunder
Here's a simple photo story on a nineteen-year-old Australian Flight Lieutenant named Harry McGillivray. Alas, a quick online search didn't yield any information about this pilot. It looks like he's in the cockpit of a Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.7. About 230 of these relatively large steel-framed two-seaters were built.
(from the Mirror, 18 April 1918)"
Here's another unfinished build I began some twenty years ago, which I recently retrieved out of storage. It's a three-seat scratch conversion based on the Roseplane R.E.5 1/72nd scale vacuform kit. I recall I was struggling with the rib tape texture on the wings which was originally applied with old-fashioned pica tape but proved too thick. The engine was sourced from a Roden kit, but proved to be slightly over scale. Maybe one day I'll revive it.
(https://i.postimg.cc/RhwsCDjd/04-18-1918-Air-Hero-Mirror.png) (https://postimg.cc/H8s4BBW8)(https://i.postimg.cc/SKpx40pC/RAF-R-E-7-2400-side-copy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/KjBRBtB3/IMG-6336.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/T52dXLkT)(https://i.postimg.cc/s2qrRX0T/IMG-6337.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Ny6V6gtX)
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'Double Decker' Flyby
(from the Sydney Mail, 19 April 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/1zWPDPf3/04-19-1916-German-in-the-Cloux-Sydney-Mail-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/R3njzk7k)(https://i.postimg.cc/859SnHd8/04-19-1916-German-in-the-Cloux-Sydney-Mail-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/JDNvsjdK)
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Four-Hour Dogfight?
That's gotta be a record...
(from The Sun, 20 April 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/PqZ1z6CJ/04-20-1915-Four-Hour-Battle-The-Sun.png) (https://postimg.cc/5H4HfSqW)
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And the Band Played On
An exciting account of a Parisian air raid by an American eye-witness circulates in today's press. This correspondence by a US soldier is notable for multiple reasons. It references what must be the Gotha night raids of March 8 and 11: "The attacks took place at night, and Parisians took sanctuary in the Métro stations. During a new attack on the night of March 11–12, a panic took place in the crowded Bolivar Métro station that caused the deaths of seventy civilians" (via wikipedia). It also notes the first shelling of Paris by Germany's new mammoth 211mm Kaiser Wilhelm Geschütz - the longest artillery gun of the Great War: "On March 23, the Germans introduced a new weapon to terrorize the Parisians: the long-ranged Paris Gun. It could fire shells 120 kilometers into the heart of the city. 303 huge shells were lobbed... The worst incident was on 29 March 1918, when a shell hit the roof of the St-Gervais-et-St-Protais Church, collapsing the roof onto the congregation then hearing the Good Friday service. A total of 91 people were killed and 68 were wounded. " (via wikipedia)
(from the Sunday Star, 21 April 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/k4h3dsNZ/04-21-1918-Jazz-in-Subway-During-Air-Raid-Sunday-Star.png) (https://postimg.cc/S28t6Wv7)(https://i.postimg.cc/NF27Bkq0/4048814.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/x16kpNhp/Photograph-Q65801-A.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
But this story bears other connections to Great War aviation history. Clearly, Frank H. Baxter's biggest impression was not the roar of the bombers overhead but rather the underground sounds of a back American jazz band that had also taken refuge in the Paris Metro that night. Luckily he gives us the band's name - 'The Seven Spades'. It so happens that their bandleader was Louis Mitchell, a vaudeville artist and trap drummer. Similar to the African-American band leader James Reese Europe, Mitchell had toured with society dancer and future RFC pilot Vernon Castle, who headlined here in January 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg251050#msg251050, and landed up in France during the war. Not too long after today's news Mitchell would encounter another fellow expat African-American - pilot Eugene Bullard, whose Parisian nightlife expolirs have also headlined here: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg255549#msg255549).
"Soon many of the streets around Mitchell’s apartment started to echo to the sounds of Jazz. Jazz had come at the right time; its optimism, infectious energy, grace and good time rhythm helped people to live in the moment and to step out of the shadow of war. In post World War One Paris the French and everyone else was ready to dance, tap, clap, drink, shout and cheer... Because Bullard had connections in the growing black musicians’ community in Montmartre and among his upper class air force friends, he was soon organising jazz band gigs at society parties and weddings. Seeing the popularity and potential of jazz Bullard took drumming lessons from Louis Mitchell. He met Joe Zelli the American impresario. Zelli was a jazz club venue owner in Paris and Bullard was soon drumming and managing Zelli’s Royal Box Club at 16 bis Rue Pierre Fontaine." (via montmartrefootsteps.com)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Jnxz6GT4/Screenshot-2024-04-22-at-12-30-38-AM.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(advert for an engagement published in the Paris edition of the New York Herald, 21 February 1918)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sgfp6r6m/A-1001542-1451568998-5370.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/bvnW5n30/mitchellsjazzkings.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Here's a jazzy rag recording by Louis Mitchell of a song which may well have been heard by Frank H. Baxter as they shared shelter from the raiding German Gothas in the Metro beneath Montmartre on this night in 1918:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOr4Y7GBbP8&list=OLAK5uy_mjT_J8UJMErlCCHc_F-vUKCTS2opLljyU&index=25
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France's New Ace
Meet the twenty-one-year-old who would become France's most beloved ace: Georges Marie Ludovic Jules Guynemer. At the time of this publication, the newly promoted lieutenant actually had eight combat victories to his credit. His most recent being the downing of a LVG C over Ribécour on 12 March. I believe his 'new' plane here would be new Nieuport 10 fighters, which his escadrille had been re-equipped with in December.
(from the World's News, 22 April 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/bJPx6Dt6/04-22-1916-Guynemer-in-the-Cockpit-The-World-s-News.png) (https://postimg.cc/t1rnJgDP)(https://i.postimg.cc/4ydfvGX8/c1bb6534-french-ace-georges-guynemer.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/r0B2cv0W)
Check out forum member mentaldental's masterfully painted 54mm figure of Guynemer: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=10543.msg193202#msg193202
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"Indescribable Havoc"
Here's a grainy but interesting head-on shot of a Caudron G.IV with clover insignia on the engine cowlings. Does anyone recognize these men or this machine? I believe René Fonck had a four-leaf clover on the G.4 he flew in but I'm unsure if this is a proper match.
(from the Bowen Independent, 23 April 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/P50rFdX3/04-23-1918-Caudron-Bowen-Independent.png) (https://postimg.cc/fVjNVn0m)
Have a look back at forum member jorgo's 1/48-scale Caudron G.IV (hydravion) from 2017: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=8317.msg154052#msg154052
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High Flies the Magpie
Here's a fun read of a dawn-patrol dogfight over Vaudemanges between a Morane-Salnier and an Albatros that was won with a carbine and ending with both airplanes crashing but all combatants surviving with a handshake. This incident marks the first victory of future ace 'Pivolo' Georges Pelletier d'Oisy.
(from the South Wales Weekly Post, 24 April 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/J0mNpbVL/04-24-1915-Albatros-Duel-South-Wales-Weekly-Post.png) (https://postimg.cc/VrG060kG)(https://i.postimg.cc/L4k9wGZS/s-l1600.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Cd1pfPNr)
Post script: "On 24 April 1924, Pelletier d'Oisy and Adjutant Lucien Besin departed Paris eastbound in a Breguet 19.A.2 in an attempt to fly around the world. Their attempt ended when they crashed their airplane on a golf course in Shanghai, China on 20 May 1924.[4] They had covered 10,580 miles (17,037 km) in 26 days" (via wikipedia).
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Turkey's Wings Clipped?
This rather vague report claims two Turkish airplanes have been shot down from the sea during the two-month old Dardanelles campaign. The date this supposed action is not provided and I have been unable to find any sources corroborating it. If true, the loss of these two aircraft would account for half of the Turkey's air power assigned to this front!
"In the commencement of Allied landings in Gallipoli, the command of Çanakkale Fortified Zone possessed an air squadron consisting of four planes (three Albatros B1 and one Rumpler B1). This squadron played a pivotal role in reconnaissance, patrol, and support duties. Aerial reconnaissance assumed significance on 18 March 1915, during the Allied fleet's unsuccessful attempt to breach the Dardanelles. Subsequently, the initial aircraft squadron, augmented with Turkish and German observers and a few additional aircraft, continued reconnaissance and bombarding operations against British and French forces on the offshore islands. The deployment of bombs by manual release and the ineffectiveness of aircraft armament were notable challenges. The incorporation of machine guns, situated in the rear cockpit of aircraft, materialized in August 1915." (via turkeyswar.com)
I wonder if this whole article may be a propagandic subterfuge, for at 4:00 a.m. on the morning of its publication, the first wave of allied troops would begin their amphibious assault on the Gallipoli peninsula.
(from the Pine Bluff Daily, 25 April 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/CMNHNq1Y/04-25-1915-Turks-Winged-at-Tenedos-Pine-Bluff-Daily.png) (https://postimages.org/)
More backstory over at tayyareci.com: https://www.tayyareci.com/v2/hvtarihi/1914-18/cephe-canakkale.asp.html
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Triplane Captured
No exact date for this incident is provided, but the report comes just five days following the final flight of Manfred von Richtofen in his Fokker Triplane, and five weeks after the crash landing of Lothar von Richtofen in his triplane. Not sure if this story involved some triplane bomber (it mentions a crew of three), or if it was just another Gotha raid (like the one which headlined here on the 22nd) but all Fokker Dr.3's were grounded in late 1917 during an inquiry of their airworthiness, though production had been resumed and frontline inventory is now at its peak this very week, with 171 aircraft in service on the Western Front. However, "The triplane's chronic structural problems destroyed any prospect of large-scale orders. Production eventually ended in May 1918, by which time only 320 had been manufactured. The Dr.I was withdrawn from frontline service as the Fokker D.VII entered widespread service in June and July. Jasta 19 was the last squadron to be fully equipped with the Dr.I." (via wikipedia)
(from the Port Pirie Recorder, 26 April 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/rwGtsjn7/04-26-1918-Triplane-Destroyed-Port-Pirie-Recorder.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/mky1rDv9/4003608.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image: "ST. OMER, FRANCE, C.1918-02. A CAPTURED FOKKER TRIPLANE MINUS PROPELLER AND ENGINE. SOME MEMBERS OF THE AUSTRALIAN FLYING CORPS (AFC) WERE ATTACHED TO THE ROYAL FLYING CORPS. THIS IS NO. 62 SQUADRON'S BASE"; from the Imperial War Museum collection. Looks like this one had some wing trouble too!).
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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):
(https://i.postimg.cc/DzTZ1NtK/04-26-1919-Udet-Needs-Agent-Evening-Capital-news.png) (https://postimg.cc/68MtXMWH)(https://i.postimg.cc/HsRb6sW5/04-27-1919-Udet-to-America-Washington-Herald.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/pTyBzkhR/160629-F-DW547-010.avif) (https://postimg.cc/HcD5Cw9h)
(image via nationalmuseum.af.mil)
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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):
(https://i.postimg.cc/vHSnJ973/04-28-1918-Freidricshafen-Sydney-Sun.png) (https://postimg.cc/XpdXFrzC)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Pf1Tskmc/D1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XXNTdm1c)
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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):
(https://i.postimg.cc/mksyX75b/04-29-1918-Caproni-Caravan-Evening-World.png) (https://postimg.cc/CBc8dn0t)
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Austrian Air Losses
Would anyone here know the identity of this derelict hydroplane numbered 'T 188'?
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 30 April 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/W3F1n1Qq/04-30-1917-Austrian-Hydroplane-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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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)
(https://i.postimg.cc/zDShS4JD/05-01-1918-S-E-5a-Aeronautical-Engineering-0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QVCVj49v)(https://i.postimg.cc/JnCyj5vB/05-01-1918-S-E-5a-Aeronautical-Engineering-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Nybfcmgg)(https://i.postimg.cc/8Pz7d5Kw/05-01-1918-S-E-5a-Aeronautical-Engineering-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MXgZqW8j)
(https://i.postimg.cc/SxKtpWZ8/16240339364-c906ee2fd5-b.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via flickr)
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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)
(https://i.postimg.cc/gcDRBQPz/05-02-1918-Shot-from-Ground-Bendigo-Advertiser.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/j2n94SKM/image002-e3efb6c1-640w.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via pierreswesternfront.nl)
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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.
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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!
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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):
(https://i.postimg.cc/63JK78WK/05-03-1919-Italian-Aces-The-patriot.png) (https://postimg.cc/d7BpptZN)
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
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Knight of Space
Hoping your weekend is off to a better start than this poor chap's.
(from Les chevaliers de l'espace, Orcines Henri, 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/5tMsQdDD/00-00-1918-Orcines-Henri-Les-chevaliers-de-l-espace.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fVBc1Fzv)
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Fire in the Sky
Dutchman Frederick Koolhoven designed a number of intriguing airplanes for the British during the Great War. His most successful being the F.K.8, which first flew in May 1916 in the hands of teenaged test pilot Peter Legh. By war's end Koolhoven was chief designer for the British Aerial Transport Co. Ltd., where he produced a handful of designs based around various motors produced by the "All British (Engine) Company" (better known as ABC Motors). Koolhoven's twenty-fifth creation was the BAT Basilisk, powered by ABC's 320hp Dragonfly radial which was notoriously prone to overheating. The dragonfly proved so promising that in June 1918, while war was still raging, the British war cabinet ordered 11,500 engines. "It proved, however, to be extremely unreliable and was abandoned when its faults were unable to be corrected. Aviation journalist Bill Gunston's referred to it as the worst cooled aero engine ever made. The copper-plated cooling fins proved useless; the cylinder heads tended to glow a dull red at operational speeds, and in extreme cases caused heat damage and even charring to the propeller. Gunston's observations suggested that it had been as well that the Armistice had been signed in 1918, as the only other aero engine still in production at that time was the Rolls-Royce Eagle; all other types having been cancelled in favour of the untested Dragonfly." (viea wikipedia)
Nearly three years to the day he first flew Koolhoven's F.K.8, Peter Legh took to the sky in the F.K.25 Basilisk prototype for an attempt at a world altitude record. It was not to be. As noted in today's news, the Basilisk's Dragonfly engine exploded and sent Legh plummeting earthward. His clothing was still burning when rescuers reached his body some sixty feet from the wreckage of Koolhoven's F.K.25. Reportedly this incident became one of the factors leading to a mandatory engine-bay fire wall for future British aircraft.
(respectively from the Cambria Daily Leader, 5 May 1919; and the Police News 3 May 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/g2KZLH7W/05-05-1919-Desperate-Leap-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/RWNFjK9s)(https://i.postimg.cc/3R27WnLj/Screenshot-2024-05-05-at-8-03-16-AM.png) (https://postimg.cc/7GPjWMrb)(https://i.postimg.cc/d3QXvBgV/Screenshot-2024-05-05-at-8-11-04-AM.png) (https://postimg.cc/cgjTBQsp)
(https://i.postimg.cc/7ZNKP7MC/first-bat-fk25-basilisk-f2906-10634378-jpg-copy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Hero's Homecoming
Britain's first aviator VC, William Henry Rhodes-Moorhouse, dutifully completed his final mission despite being mortally wounded. Today news reports that he has been laid to rest on the grounds of Parnham House in Dorset - his family's five-hundred-year-old home.
(from the Daily Sketch, 6 May 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/VkRmzNKY/05-06-1915-Rhodes-Moorhouse-Daily-Sktech-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/VJd3RzyT)
(https://i.postimg.cc/SQM9hk8Q/05-06-1915-Rhodes-Moorhouse-Daily-Sktech-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/hhKv8FpN)
"On 22 April 1915, the Germans launched their first gas attack on Allied troops and for the next four days they took the initiative in battles in and around St. Julien and Ypres. ...the RFC was ordered to bomb the enemy’s railway network to prevent reinforcements reaching the front lines. Rhodes-Moorhouse, who had been due leave, was instructed to bomb the strategically vital railway junction at Courtrai – one of three targets for four aircraft. He took off alone from Merville at 15.05 hours, having been asked to release his 100lb bomb from just below cloud level. To accurately bomb his target, the railway line to the west of Courtrai Station, William flew at a height of 300ft.
His aircraft came under intense enemy fire from a machine-gun located in the belfry of Courtrai Church and from the ground. He was hit by a burst of machine-gun fire and his aircraft was peppered by bullets and struck by shrapnel from the bomb explosion. However after making the thirty-two-mile flight, he dropped right down to 300 feet to ensure a direct hit. He was greeted instantly with a volley of rifle and machine-gun fire, and when he was directly over the target a burst of machine-gun fire perforated his aircraft’s fuselage and smashed into his thigh. At the same time, fragments from his own bomb ripped through the wings and tailplane.
Rhodes-Moorhouse, badly wounded and in great pain, had two options: land behind enemy lines, receive urgent medical attention and become a Prisoner of War; or try to limp back to base with his aircraft and the valuable intelligence he had gathered. Choosing the latter option, he dropped a further 200 feet to gain some extra speed and again encountered heavy fi re from the ground. This led to two new wounds to his hand and abdomen. He landed at Merville airfield at 1615 hours and had to be lifted out of the cockpit by his mechanics. William insisted on reporting the success of his mission to his Flight Commander before being taken to a Casualty Clearing Station where he died. As a result of his action, the German reinforcements were delayed for a critical 16 hour period." (via westernfrontassociation.com)
Footnote:
- "William’s son, also named William but known as Willie, went on to become a Battle of Britain pilot. From May 1940, he served at Merville, France, where his father had been killed in action twenty-five years earlier. He was shot down in a dogfight over Kent on 6 September 1940 and he was buried beside his father at Parnham House."
- "In April 2017 the house was badly damaged by fire, the cause of which is still undetermined. The entire interior and contents were lost." (via wikipedia)
(https://i.postimg.cc/wvbzw1gX/img-ID107694076-jpg-gallery.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ph83TX9r)
(image via bridportnews.co.uk)
Here's a documentary on this aviator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIel5HsZzq0
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Lone Raider
(from the Nome Daily Nugget, 7 May 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Hxv2xssh/05-07-1917-Lone-Raider-Shoots-London-Nome-Daily-Nugget.png) (https://postimg.cc/r0WWZT41)
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Voisin Vision
A very grainy but familiar mid-war image spotlights a flight officer of the Imperial Russian Air Service (Императорскій военно-воздушный флотъ) loading a bomb in a French-made Voisin.
(from the Perth Daily News, 9 May 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/7PtNXppy/05-08-1916-Russian-Voisin-Perth-Daily-News.png) (https://postimg.cc/xqHH1Ffs)
Here's another look at forum member lonemodeller's scratch-built 1/72 Voisin III LAS (in British service): https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=8617.msg158831#msg158831
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Combat Aérien
Numerous notables are named in today's news of aerial combat between French and German flyers. Among the acknowledged aces is Guynemer, Nungesser, Dorme, Pinsard, Madon and Alfred Marie-Joseph Heurtaux. Heurtaux claimed his twenty-first and final victory on the morning of 4 May. While flying for Escadrille Sps.3 over Beaurieux he managed to down an Albatros C type.
(from the Evening Star, 9 May 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/LXTjqxRB/05-09-1917-Pinsard-s-12th-Evening-Star.png) (https://postimages.org/)
What is not reported is that the very next day Heurtaux was in a wicked dogfight with nine Albatros D.IIIs, one being piloted by Ernst Udet (who headlined here two weeks back: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.msg264793;topicseen#msg264793). Udet clipped Heurtaux with multiple bullets, hitting him through both cheeks and both thighs, and also grazing his head. "He eventually returned to duty, but did not score again. A second serious wounding in September 1917 sidelined him for the remainder of the war. Indeed, he was fortunate to survive a bullet through his femoral artery. An ordinary bullet would have proved fatal, but the incendiary round that hit him cauterized the wound, sealing off hemorrhaging. He struggled back to Allied lines, and lived." (via wikipedia)
(https://i.postimg.cc/8zKgtPXM/Heurtaux.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via ouest-france.fr)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9Q64db59/Screenshot-2024-05-09-at-10-30-59-AM.png) (https://postimg.cc/k2yX9x5M)
Footnote: During the Second World War Heurtaux joined the French Resistance before being captured by the German Gestapo and imprisoned in Buchenwald death camp. He survived and ultimately lived long enough to have heard Band Aids' song 'Do They Know It's Christmas' top the international music charts before dying at age 92 in December 1985.
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Boss of Voss
Arthur P. F. Rhys Davids was still a teenager when he shot down Germany's twenty-year-old ace Werner Voss in one of the Great War's most epic dogfights. That battle, as well as the British pilot's biography are published in today's posthumous report. During the twenty-two weeks between his first victory and final flight the Etonian tallied twenty-two victories. A brief but brilliant career. Does anyone know who's airplane the 'painted banana' refers to?
(from the Southern Herald, 10 May 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/nLM3z1GQ/05-10-1918-Boss-of-Voss-The-Southern-herald.png) (https://postimg.cc/945dgZSW)(https://i.postimg.cc/rpv9Q0vd/arthur-rhys-davids.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Voss' last battle headlined here back in October 2022: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg248561#msg248561
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg248561#msg248561
Have a look at forum member lcarroll's 1/32nd-scale WNW build of Rhys Davids' Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13011.msg242678#msg242678
And here's a link to a video portraying Voss' final flight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkKhIZJCjY0
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Front Row Seat to History
From a glance this grainy image may look like a simple child's doodle but it's actually a fascinating aerial photograph capturing the world's first great tank assault during the Battle of Cambrai. Attempting to break the years'-long stalemate of trench warfare the British Expeditionary Force Tank Corps employed an astounding 476 tanks (378 combat tanks), with artillery and air coordination. "On the first day, the British... took more ground in six hours than they had in three-and-a-half months at Passchendaele, or five months at the Somme."At 0620 hours covered by a brief barrage from 1000 guns, the tanks of C and F Battalions in MkIV tanks advanced alongside the men of the British 12th Division against the impregnable German Hindenburg line at Cambrai. Supported in the air by 4 RFC squadron flying ground attack missions, the general offensive had broken through 3 trench lines and penetrated 5 miles on a 6 mile front by lunchtime. Although these gains were not exploited and later retaken by a German counter offensive, Cambrai showed the full potential of the tank on the battlefield." (via cranstonmilitaryprints.com). By the second day of combat about one-half of the British tanks were already out of action but it must have made an awe-inspiring sight to witness from the air!
(from the Queenslander, 11 May 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/661hJrj3/05-11-1918-Bird-s-Eye-Tank-Battle-Queenslander.png) (https://postimg.cc/JtZXjkWV)
(https://i.postimg.cc/057GBzMM/Aerial-photographer-of-Tanks-during-Battle-of-Cambrai-1917.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via wikipedia)
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Russians Raid Constantinople
One month after the signing of the secret Constantinople Agreement, in which France and Great Britain promised to give Ottoman-controlled Constantinople and the Dardanelles, to the Russian Empire in the event of victory, Russia takes the initiative to assault the historic city. Fun fact - the first Russian attack on Constantinople occurred in 860 A.D.!
(from the Forest City Press, 12 May 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/0yMb5pmP/05-12-1915-Russians-Bomb-Constantinople-Forest-City-Press.png) (https://postimg.cc/3khKn0nc)(https://i.postimg.cc/d1Mdc5Sb/Untitled-design.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via periodpaper.com)
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Teen Machine
Precocious pilot Horatio Harle Bright earned Royal Aero Club certificate number 1648 when he was just sixteen. This Bright achieved by flying a Beatty-Wright Biplane, of the Beatty School of Flying at Hendon, which trained over one-thousand pilots for the Royal Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force. Alas, the War Office refused to accepted Bright until his seventeenth birthday. Upon officially earning his wings he served stints in Nos. 17, 1 and 29 Squadrons and the Aeronautical Inspection Department at Filton, where his 'maverick' behavior began to emerge
(from the Daily Sketch, 13 May 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/CLXq485d/05-13-1915-Teen-Aviator-Daily-Sktech.png) (https://postimg.cc/0bGjkbpq)
(https://i.postimg.cc/bwyPg9X1/831-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image: Beatty-Wight Biplane at Hendon, 1917, via flyingmachines.ru)
"There were complaints of extremely dangerous flying, such that he was, after several warnings, forbidden to fly by the officer commanding Filton. He was also forbidden to use the officers mess on account of passing worthless cheques and was taking women into Filton and giving them unofficial flights. In addition, he was absent on a number of occasions.
On 29th May 1917 he was arrested and three days later tried by General Court Martial. There were two charge sheets, involving a total of eight charges. Four of these involved having in his possession photographs of various parts of Filton and Bristol, then showing them to unauthorised individuals in such a way that it was calculated to 'be useful to the enemy'. Of the eight charges he was convicted of six of them, he was sentenced to cashiered and imprisoned for twelve months without hard labour. ...the imprisonment was remitted due to Bright's young age and war service and the fact that there was no traitorous intent. As far as the photography charges, he was deemed to have behaved with "extraordinary folly." On 23rd August 1917 the Director of Recruiting, 16th Recruiting Area, at Bedford, attempted to contact Bright but he had already enlisted in the RFC and on 6th September 1917 proceeded to France. Joining 60 Squadron at Ste Marie-Cappel he carried out his first practise flight on 22nd September 1917.
Later that day (22nd September 1917) he flew on Offensive Patrol, from which he had to return temporarily, due to Vickers machine gun trouble. In the evening he delivered a new machine from No. 1 Aircraft Depot. St. Omer to the squadron. At 09.00 hours the next day, he left on a five man patrol, led by the great New Zealand ace Captain Grid Caldwell, from which he failed to return. Nobody saw what happened to him and there does not seem to be a relevant claim from the German side." (via wikitree.com)
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Italiano Intenso
Sired from an ancient noble bloodline, Fulco Ruffo di Calabria was already a military veteran when he was assigned to Italy's Battaglione Aviatori in late 1915. In August 1916, Ruffo di Calabria shared his first aerial victory with Francesco Baracca (who first headlined here back in June 2022: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg244671#msg244671). By the time of today's publication he was a full-fledged ace known for the jet-black teschio e ossa incrociate emblazoned on the fuselage of his airplanes. He scored this seventh victory just before sunset on Saturday, 12 May and ended the war as the fifth-highest-scoring Italian ace. Fulco di Calabria subsequently fathered the future queen of Belgium and was tried as a fascist after World War II.
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 14 May 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/3Rwg4xYp/05-14-1917-Italian-Makes-Seventh-05-14-1917-RFC-Fatality-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/qt9tW0tM)
(https://i.postimg.cc/6QLPNXrg/Fulco-Ruffo-di-Calabria.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/50sk6Skm/Fulco-Ruffo-di-Calabria-egy-ku-ldete-s-elo-tt.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(images via wikipedia)
Here's a link to a figure of this aviator, shared by forum member bluesfan: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=5636.msg101164#msg101164
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"Dog-Fight"!
This cleverly composed composition by an unknown British flyer brings us a bird's-eye battle scene and an early use of the term 'dogfight' as applied to air combat. Anyone know who drew this? It also provides an early anglicized interpretation of the plural for 'Albatros', which still gets debated these days.
(from The Aeroplane, 15 May 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/26VwyHBn/05-15-1918-Dogfight-The-Aeroplane.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/34QpbF1w)
Here's a look at a singular Albatros D.III from 1918 in 1/48th scale by forum member Opapapa: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12404.msg231936#msg231936
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Original Flying Kangaroo
Pioneer aviator Walter Oswald Watt became a full-fledged pilot in summer of 1911 when the Royal Aero Club issued him their 112th Aviator Certificate. The Australian was already in his late thirties when he joined the French Foreign Legion's Aviation Militaire upon the outbreak of the Great War. During his service with France Watt was personally decorated with the Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur by General Joffre, who served as Commander-in-Chief of French forces on the Western Front.
"In 1916 he transferred to the newly formed Australian Flying Corps, with the rank of captain and command of B Flight, No.1 Squadron, then stationed in Egypt. In September he was promoted major and took command of No.2 Squadron which was being formed in Egypt. The new squadron was sent to England (Tetbury) for training in early 1917 and arrived on the Western Front in September. He kept three Australian squadrons in France throughout the war to end all wars.
Charles Bean, on visiting No.2 Squadron after the battle of Cambrai, where Watt became famous for leading his squadrons on daring low level strafing attacks, recorded his impressions of its work: "They are winning themselves a magnificent name, this first Australian fighting squadron … It is Watt who has worked them up to this remarkably high level of conduct and general tone". As the squadron commander Watt worked long hours, rising at 5 a.m. to give moral support to his dawn patrols; according to Bean, the heavy fighting at Cambrai had left Watt "very wan…he fell asleep after dinner". In February 1918 Watt—by then a lieutenant-colonel—was promoted to command the four squadrons (Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 8) of the Australian training wing at Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. He excelled as a leader who inspired his crews with his ideals of service." (via pittwateronlinenews.com)
(from the Sydney Morning Herald, 16 May 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y9JSqtQJ/05-16-1916-Oswald-Watt-Sydney-Morning-Herald-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/G8xRXw7Q)(https://i.postimg.cc/mrkhDZ8J/05-16-1916-Oswald-Watt-Sydney-Morning-Herald-2.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/bJdFFC1D/142-the-kangaroo.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JDVqsQ6M)
(https://i.postimg.cc/KzRxr5zQ/Kangaroo.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(images via pittwateronlinenews.com)
(https://i.postimg.cc/XJvgYrvT/4105077.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image: "a plane piloted by Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Walter Oswald Watt, seen flying over German territory in 1915", via awm.gov.au)
Footnote: In 1921 Watt died of accidental drowning in shallow water near home at Bilgola Beach, in northern Sydney.
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Flying Colors
On Friday the 12th, recently promoted 2nd Lieutenant Georges Guynemer was on hand as standard bearer for the 1st flag of French military aeronautics during a ceremony on the field of the aérodrome that would later bear his name. Base aérienne 102 Dijon became operational in the spring of 1914 and was assigned the headquarters of the 1st Aviation Group, which was accommodated in several aircraft hangars and barracks. Four squadrons were stationed there when the World War broke out: the BR 17, BL 18, HF 19 and MF 20. It was on this military airfield that the 2e reserve aviation unit dedicated to the centralization of deliveries made by factories working for the aviation and transit to aviation squadrons of the parks from the front of the stored goods.[clarification needed] 2Y also worked, from 1917, a flight school dedicated to piloting aircraft manufacturing company Voisin[/color] (via wikipedia). Just over 260km southeast of Paris, Dijon-Longvic airfield would be run by the Armée de l'Air for another 100 years, until ceasing military operations 2016. A museum opened there in 2022.
(from the Daily Sketch, 17 May 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/8z5fYfgD/05-17-1916-French-Flying-Colors-Daily-Sketch.png) (https://postimg.cc/qzP7hR7Z)
A film clip of this very day, celebrated on its centennial, can be seen here: https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/bourgogne-franche-comte/cote-d-or/dijon/dijon-base-aerienne-102-rend-hommage-georges-guynemer-du-9-au-14-mai-981808.html.
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Polish Power
Here's an interesting article on a seldom-reported subject - the birth of Polish military aviation and the involvement of private funding from the then-still-neutral United States. "The first independent units of the Polish Air Force, in service to the re-emerging Polish sovereign state, were... formed in 1917, before World War I had come to an end. When the Russian Revolution began and the tsardom gradually lost control of the country, Polish pilots took advantage of the chaos and formed spontaneous aerial units in areas of present-day Belarus, south Ukraine, and by the Kuban river. Up until that point Polish pilots had only flown as members of Russian, German or Austro-Hungarian militaries. The first known air force units in service to the re-emerging Polish state were: I Polski Oddział Awiacyjny (1st Polish Aviation Squad) in Minsk formed on 19 June 1917, the 1st and 2nd Aviation Units of the 2nd Corps, the aerial fleet of the 4th Rifle Division, as well as the Samodzielny Polski Oddział Awiacyjny (Independent Polish Aviation Squad) in Odesa."
(from the Oklahoma City Times, 18 May 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/wMJ5XScf/05-18-1917-Polish-Airplanes-Oklahoma-City-Times.png) (https://postimg.cc/n9FQZSWB)
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Heart of an Aeroplane
The could make for a fun diorama accessory - a two-sided test tractor with wire wheels that can accommodate both stationary and rotary motors. Can't quite tell if that's a Renault or an RAF1 engine. Can anyone confirm?
(from the Melbourne Herald, 19 May 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/2813FR0Y/05-19-1917-Heart-of-an-Aeroplane-Melbourne-Herald.png) (https://postimg.cc/CzVFStyr)
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"Caught in a Pocket"
American Captain James Norman Hall is confirmed to be alive to the general public weeks after failing to return from a mission over Pagny-sur-Moselle in Lorraine. Details of Hall's downing were shared here back in April 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg253805#msg253805. "There is an aviation field near the camp (ed. at Chaudun, southwest of Soissons) and the aviators go out every day hunting for Bosche machines. Yesterday Jimmy Hall, who wrote "Kitchener's Mob" and who is staying at the camp, was caught in a pocket of seven Germans and brought down. He landed his machine, however, and is expected to live. He is one of the nicest fellows that I have met." (worldwar1.com) The injured aviator recuperated in hospital and remained a prisoner of war for the duration of the conflict. Here's an unusual photograph presumably taken shortly after his crash where he is resting in a squad car and receiving aid and comfort from a dachshund!
(from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, 21 May 1918):
'(https://i.postimg.cc/qMRGKWg3/05-21-1918-Hall-Hospitalized-Richmond-Times-Dispatch.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/y65wkh8s/bfb9d06facb6f4a6eebb723903294631.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via pinterest.com)
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Italians Active
Among several aerial incidents reported in today's news is a victory by fighter ace Luigi Olivari, flying with the newly formed 91a Squadriglia fighter group. Just after dawn he bagged a Lohner T.1, which would make his sixth confirmed kill.
Roughly translated:
"Our airmen were very active on the 19th and 20th to disturb the enemy and not grant him peace and respite. Their activity took place especially in the Bainsizza area, where our operations are most active.
Two squadrons of airplanes fired by fighter planes dropped about a hundred bombs on the military centers east of the Canale in the Gorgoro basin and on the reverse side of Monte Santo. The effects of the bombing were excellent. On the Carso an Austrian plane during a reconnaissance was attacked by one of our aircraft piloted by second lieutenant Luigi Olivari, who shot it down. The enemy machine crashed behind Hermeda.
Towards the evening on the lower Isonzo an Austrian seaplane attempted to hit one of our observation balloons, but was knocked down by our anti-aircraft guns. The seaplane fell among the advanced trenches, and when our soldiers approached its wreckage they found the body of the pilot horribly reduced by the impact of the fall and by the fire that blazed from among the remains of the seaplane."
(from L'Italia, 22 May 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Qdm32HNn/05-22-1917-Luigi-Olivari-L-Italia.png) (https://postimg.cc/0zzFm5wp)(https://i.postimg.cc/xTMMBSNX/foto-1-1-copy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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End of Enoch
AB Enoch Thulins Aeroplanfabrik became Sweden's first aircraft manufacturer in 1914. Beginning with license-built Bleriot, Morane-Saulnier and Albatros aircraft, the company soon started producing Dr. Thulin's own designs with the introduction of his Model E. This was followed by other types, some of which were produced during the Great War. Not long after the armistice Thulin himself set a national altitude record in his personal Morane-esque K3 monoplane. One week before today's article went to press, Thulin was again piloting this plane when lost control in a dive, dashing the pioneer aviator to his demise.
(from the Abergavenny Chronicle, 23 May 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/SxjzfysH/05-23-1919-Thulin-Killed-Abergavenny-Chronicle.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/wTjknYMQ/FVMF-001639.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/dVMLrGbZ/medium-032w-ZW32-Mq-DD.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Here's a compilation os archival footage depicting Thulin in flight and from his funeral: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdKLW4sFxoc
Here's a look at a Thulin Type G in 1/32 scale by forum member kkarlsen: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11374.0
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Nouvelle arme
In these days when aircraft are tested in secrecy for years before becoming operational, today's article reminds us how quickly airplane designs were developed during the Great War, and how soon the public could learn about them. The Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés first flew their single-seat SPAD V in April 1916. Powered by the new Hispano-Suiza water-cooled V-8, it was immediately hailed for its excellent maximum speed, climb rate, and sturdy construction. The very next month, on May 10th, an initial production contract was made or 268 machines (designated SPAD VII C.1). Only two weeks later this report was published... well before the airplane became officially operational! A few SPAD VII's arrived to frontline units as early as August 1916; large numbers only began to appear in the first months of 1917.
(from the Australian Town and Country Journal, 24 May 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/G2mQbwnw/05-24-1916-The-SPAD-Australian-Town-and-Country-Journal.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/PxH3rbRY/Spad-VII-C-1-tractor-biplane.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Fun facts: In 1916, over 98% of SPAD production came from SPAD and Blériot factories. Some 3,500 SPAD S.VIIs were built in France, 120 in Britain, and 100 in Russia. SPAD designs accounted for around 20% of French aircraft produced during World War One. (via wikipedia).
So many SPAD VII models to choose from on this forum! Here's Epeeman's out-of-the-box build of the 1/32nd-scale Roden kit: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=6067.msg110238#msg110238
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Anyplace, Anywhere...
Make time for modeling! Though, technically this is not a 'toy', but rather a wind-direction indicator employed as an anti-gas precaution.
(from the Daily Sketch, 25 May 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/jSdVNvQT/05-25-1916-Model-Aeroplane-in-Trench-Daily-Sketch.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/m2h6jZ25/australian-soldier-croix-du-bac-near-7218295-jpg.webp) (https://postimages.org/)
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Dream Dashed
Pioneer aviation enthusiast Lebbeus Hordern imported Australia's first hydroplane, a Farman pusher, which first flew in May 1914 with Maurice Guillaux at the controls. One year later Hordern is reported here expressing his dedication to Britains flying serivces. However he never obtained a pilot license and instead served in the trenches. Sadly, and in strange coincidence with yesterday's post, Hordern was gassed in action and was invalided home to Australia in 1917. He died in 1928.
(from the Sydney Sun, 26 May 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/vHNm9VkG/05-26-1915-Sydney-Aviator-Sydney-Sun.png) (https://postimg.cc/5681W6fr)
More on Horderns historic Sydney flights here: https://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/Library/Woollahra-plaque-scheme/first-seaplane-flight-over-sydney
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Wings at Work
I'm unsure of which French factory is depicted here, but those wall-mounted wings look to belong to a Farman H.F.20 subsequent variant.
(from the Weekly Times, Melbourne; 27 May 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/m2M82sHb/05-27-1916-Making-Wings-in-a-French-Factory-Weekly-Times-Melbourne.png) (https://postimg.cc/rKVSQ7jb)
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Teatime Terror
Imagine enjoying a spring picnic in the shade of a scenic garden only to have it interrupted by some hotdogger stunting his airplane into the tree directly overhead! The identity of this plane and pilot are not reported; however, here's an archival image of a branch-perched B.E. dated to the same month as today's article and attributed to having occurred along the Thames... perhaps it's the same incident.
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 28 May 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/VkFDYmqV/05-28-1917-Looping-Aviator-disrupts-Teatime-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/NK51DhP6)(https://i.postimg.cc/CKF9B2tr/Screenshot-2024-05-28-at-9-04-02-AM.png) (https://postimg.cc/cvbFPFdf)
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Battlebag 'Balloonatics'
Two observers of the Royal Flying Corps grace the cover of the international magazine, 'The War'. Unlike most combat aircraft, which had an endurance limited to two hours, balloonists could remain on station for hours. No doubt this was dangerous work.
(from The War, May 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/sD4n3ghL/05-00-1918-war1918may00londuoft-0001.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2V3dwmTd)
Read more on Britain's wartime balloonery: https://historyfare.co.uk/military-history/36-the-balloons-going-up/
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Target: Ludwigschafen
"We left at 3 a.m. The aircraft had fuel for seven hours of operation... a distance of 400 kilometers. Some were to carry six 90 shells, others one 155 shell and two 90 shells. They had to rise fairly quickly, with the heavy load they were carrying, to the height of 2000 meters which they had to gain to cross the enemy lines with the minimum of risk.
For a moment, the rising sun blinded the bold pilots; then, between Sarrebourg and Saverne, they suffered a violent cannonade: minor annoyances at the start of the adventure about which everyone was jaded. A little later, they descended the Rhine valley, heading towards Mannheim, flying, as a precaution, over the forests of Hardt, in order to avoid being seen and reported.
After three hours of flight, the valiant little air armada was on the objective, recognizable by numerous smoke. Arriving 2 kilometers from the goal, they split into two groups, one heading towards Oppau, the other towards the parent factory of Badische Anilin und Soda Fabrik, in Ludwigshafen. In a quarter of an hour, more than a ton of explosive was on the ground, and, moving away from the scene of their superb exploit, the pilots were able to enjoy its effects: strong columns of smoke burst the roofs, filled the air, the flame of the explosions gushed from the high chimneys like from the mouth of a cannon, while the personnel, panicked, fled in all directions. A violent fire was opened against the planes, from Oppau itself, on the one hand, and, further away, from a vast airship hangar established on the right bank of the Moselle. One of the eighteen airplanes {was forced to} descend, the one carried by the squadron commander, battalion commander De Goys, and Warrant Officer Bunau-Varilla. At least the two captives had the presence of mind to destroy their aircraft: their companions saw, from up there, the plane to which they had set fire burning." (via http://izurak.free.fr/)
One of the Great War's first strategic bombing missions make international headlines this week. Ludwigshafen was also the target of allied bombing in WW2. It remains home to world's largest chemical complex.
(respectively from St. Johns Daily Star, 28 May 1915; and the Cambria Daily Leader, 30 May 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/NFZM3HTV/05-28-1915-French-Air-Raid-St-Johns-Daily-Star-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/gLqmRrgq)(https://i.postimg.cc/ncvjy3RG/05-28-1915-French-Air-Raid-St-Johns-Daily-Star-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/xc11H3SX)
(https://i.postimg.cc/L4Z2bJQz/05-31-1915-Waterplanes-Bomb-Gas-Factory-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/9f4nQ77b/boy-v-vozduhe-1916-1536x1167.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SXhrZjVY)
(image: Henry Farré, Bombing of Ludwigshafen, French Airplanes, 1916)
See more details and images from this mission here: http://izurak.free.fr/rat/1915/26mai.html
This artist headline here back in March 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg253054#msg253054
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Salmson Assembly
Inspired by the Sopwith Strutter, which Emile Salmson & Cie had built under license, the Salmson 2 A.2 became one of France's primary reconnaissance aircraft during the war. Over 3,800 were built between Salmson, Latécoère, Hanriot, and Desfontaines. This image likely depicts Samson's factory at Boulogne-Billancourt.
(from the Perth Western Mail, 31 May 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/jS1ypffM/05-31-1918-Wonderful-Industry-Perth-Western-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/zynLWV0h)
Check out forum member PrezemoL's 2-A2 in 1/32 scale by Wingnut Wings: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=4687.0
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'Weapon of Offence'
Invented by Frederick Marten Hale in 1913, the 20lb Hale bomb was reportedly the only high-explosive aerial bomb available to British forces at the start of WW1. Hale’s bombs were dropped in some of the Royal Naval Air Service’s first strategic bombing raids, the first destruction of a Zeppelin in aerial combat, and the first sinking of a U-boat by airplane. The Hale's 20lb bomb remained in regular use on the Western Front through the summer of 1917, until inventory had been exhausted.
Among the aircraft known to have been armed with this type are the Avro 504, Bristol Scout, Martinsyde S.1; Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2, B.E.12, F.E.2 R.E.5, and R.E.7; Short Admiralty Type 74; Sopwith Tabloid, Schneider and Baby; and the Wight A.1 Improved Navyplane. Does anyone know of any other aircraft to use these bombs? Below are two 3D renderings of the 20lb Hale that I've created.
(from the The Argus, 1 June 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/GpfSTRjh/06-01-1915-Hale-Bombs-The-Argus.png) (https://postimg.cc/DWqcRtDt)(https://i.postimg.cc/kGRXcwmF/OBL-20lb-Hale-2832-29-v18-2-copy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/L5jhSvb4/OBL-20lb-Hale-2832-29-v18-copy.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2L8CFdYg)
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Sopwith Shout Out
Kommandierender General der Luftstreitkräfte Ernst Wilhelm Arnold von Hoeppner has just proposed his Amerika Programme. Its mission is to increase German air combat capability and end the air superiority of the Entente Powers in anticipation of the arrival of American forces to the Western Front. In today's report from Amsterdam he provides commentary on the sporting nature of the British fighting spirit while pooh-poohing the capabilities of their aircraft. His one named exception is the Sopwith Triplane.
The 'Tripehound' first flew about a year earlier and became fully operational in December 1916. "The Triplane's combat debut was highly successful. The new fighter's exceptional rate of climb and high service ceiling gave it a marked advantage over the Albatros D.III, though the Triplane was slower in a dive. During April 1917, Manfred von Richthofen, better known as The Red Baron, commented that the Triplane was the best Allied fighter at that time.... The Germans were so impressed by the aircraft's performance that it spawned a brief triplane craze among German aircraft manufacturers. Their efforts resulted in no fewer than 34 different prototypes, including the Fokker V.4, prototype of the successful Fokker Dr.I." (via wikipedia)
(from the Sydney Daily Telegraph, 2 June 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Sj0HQkB1/06-02-1917-Good-Sport-Dydney-Daily-Telegraph.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/4nkLpwNW/0568.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/RZPYD7PZ/STriplane-Standard-Farnboroug-copy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Here's a look at forum member RichieW's 1/32-scale WNW Sopwith Triplane: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11258.msg208825#msg208825
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Toter Flieger
Identity unknown.
(from the Maitland Weekly Mercury, 3 June 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/QCWh3RYq/06-03-1916-Wreckage-Maitland-Weekly-Mercury.png) (https://postimg.cc/5Q1Z5kVH)
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Know Your Machine
Here's an interesting write-up by an airman who spent time at the controls of Farmans, Sopwiths and S.E.5's.
(from the Geraldton Guardian, 4 June 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/90XjJt57/06-04-1918-Learning-to-Fly-Geraldton-Guardian-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/R6Y80t0S)(https://i.postimg.cc/CLBwt7nG/06-04-1918-Learning-to-Fly-Geraldton-Guardian-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/3dhM0gBN)(https://i.postimg.cc/QtyRJLbR/06-04-1918-Learning-to-Fly-Geraldton-Guardian-3.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Birds of Ill-Omen
Two articles published a year apart spotlight the use of aerial lighting during evening raids.
(respectively from the Cambria Daily Leader, 5 June 1915p and the Auckland Weekly News; 5 June 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/c4CPmwTp/06-05-1915-Skylights-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/XpM2NZRL)
(https://i.postimg.cc/zBfkrSL5/06-05-08-1916-Lighting-up-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/B8dF5Fcw)
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Royal Plane to Paris
King Albert I of Belgium was ferried to the Paris Peace Conference by none other than pioneer aviator Henri Crombez in, I believe, a captured German LVG. Crombez had flown a Deperdussin monoplane for Belgium back in the 1913 Gordon Bennett Aviation Trophy Race. Later that year he joined the Compagnie d'Aviateurs , the group of civilian pilots and their aircrafts that would evolve into the Aviation Militaire Belge. Still piloting his Deperdussin racer, Henri Crombez flew one of the first war patrols on 4 August 1914 above Liège. Before war's end the King flew with Crombez as an observer (that story headline here back in March 2022: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg241647#msg241647)
(from the Maui News, 6 June 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/bY7Gk9WL/06-06-1919-King-By-Plane-Maui-News.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/ncR3416s/King-Albert-in-a-captured-LVG-C-VI-after-the-war.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via warnepieces.blogspot.com)
(https://i.postimg.cc/R0rzv9CL/CROMBEZ-Le-Miroir-2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/N0xCZwKM/CROMBEZ-Le-Miroir-3.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(images: Le Miroir, 1917)
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Skeleton Crew
A macabre but thoroughly imaginable story from the front line along the Western Front.
(from the Maryland Gazette, 7 June 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/J0bvPBCy/06-07-1918-Skeleton-Crew-Maryland-Gazette-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/gL2g0jJd)(https://i.postimg.cc/2jZD1VMN/06-07-1918-Skeleton-Crew-Maryland-Gazette-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/pyR77XPs)
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Former Friend Among Foes
Though today's photo story was published late in the Great War, it actually depicts an early rarity built before the conflict began. Here, men and one hound of Germany's Kaiserliche Marine pose before a British-made Sopwith Bat Boat II. This particular plane made news here once before, in May 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg255578#msg255578
(from the Sydney Sun, 8 June 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/zDQ9K6TV/06-08-1918-Eyes-of-the-Wolf-Sydney-Sun-1-copy.png) (https://postimg.cc/14pCZWCQ)
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Chasseurs d'Hydravions
Much of the lore of Great War aviation focuses on the dogfights over the Western Front. Here's a short report on the activities of the less-remembered submarine chasers along the French coast, namely the seaplane station at Havre. Here's a detailed history of this base, which mostly operated FBA flying boats:
http://albindenis.free.fr/Site_escadrille/CAM_du_Havre.htm
(from the Monmouthshire Recorder 9 June 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/FKNjDLBY/06-09-1917-French-Air-Attacks-Herald-of-Wales-and-Monmouthshire-Recorder.png) (https://postimg.cc/Sn12KJq4)(https://i.postimg.cc/rsNj921r/flamanc4-ed-orig.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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First to Fly
Captain Herbert Ambrose Cooper was the first New Zealander to join the Royal Flying Corps and learned to fly before the Great War. Cooper was awarded Aviator's Certificate #729 by the Royal Aero Club in January 1914. Here he's shown sitting in the pulpit of a Vickers F.B.5 'Gunbus' - the first aircraft purpose-built for air-to-air combat. "The F.B.5 began to be seen on the Western Front when the first reached No.2 Squadron RFC on 5 February 1915.[11] The type served in ones and twos with several other units before No. 11 Squadron RFC became the world's first fighter squadron when, fully equipped with the F.B.5, it deployed to Villers-Bretonneux, France on 25 July 1915" (via wikipedia). Cooper was flying with No. 11 Squadron when he was killed accidentally one year after today's report was published.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 10 June 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZqM7VCvX/06-10-1915-FB5-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7CSnLPVN)
(https://i.postimg.cc/YqxxdbvJ/mid-40327608.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via iwm.uk.org)
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Rising Sons
Ninety-five-hundred kilometers east of the Western Front the latest and largest cadet class has graduated from the Nippon Flying School. Following is a photo dated to 1917 that may likely depict these fledgling flyers assembled in front of one of the school's Tamai trainer biplanes. Alas, this report comes just a week before the crash of NFS trainer #3, which resulted in the death of the school's flying instructor and a civilian passenger (as reported here last June: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg256004#msg256004)
(from the Montgomery Advertiser, 11 June 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/yxKrv2nv/06-10-1917-Japanese-Cadets-Montgomery-Advertiser.png) (https://postimg.cc/wyWVBfCm)
(https://i.postimg.cc/T3s7ZKCy/Nippon-flying-school-01-1917.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SnWf9x0q)
(image via wikimedia.org)
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Salute to Saufley
Ensign R. C. Saufley was designated Aviator #14 by the United States Navy in 1915. He was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1908. Today's news marks the anniversary of his death in a flying accident at NAS Pensacola, Florida, while attempting a seaplane endurance record. His Curtiss Model E 'Triad' (serial AH-8) was airborne nearly nine hours when it crashed for unknown reasons on crash on Santa Rosa Island. The Model E lays claim to being the first successful flying bpat and the first airplane acquired by the U.S. Navy. The Fletcher-class destroyer USS SAUFLEY (DD-465), one of the most-decorated US ships of WWII, was named in this airman's honor.
(from the Bourbon News, 12 June 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/dQRHj5GN/06-12-1917-Saufley-Memorial-Bourbon-news.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/28v39Xzv/35910201-129565000949.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Check out this video of a Model E replica in flight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcaAyOtgWoA
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Air Girls!
(from the Richmond Palladium, 1 June 1917)
(https://i.postimg.cc/d1mNBWny/06-13-1917-Air-Girls-Richond-Pallafium.png) (https://postimg.cc/xJ8Pj3wf)
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'Flying Pig'
This cover pictorial looks to depict a dud 9.45-inch heavy trench mortar bomb. Nicknamed the 'flying pig', this British muzzle-loading adaptation of a French 240mm shell weighed about 150 pounds and was newly introduced at the time of today's publication. Though mortar shells were vernacularly known 'aerial torpedoes' at the time, they weren't associated with aviation use; though various attempts to equip them on aircraft did occur. This particular shell was converted for aerial bomb dropping by the addition of fin extensions. Below is a 3D rendering I've created based on original plan drawings from a wartime publication.
(from the Illustrated War News, 14 June 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/brLmksLc/06-14-1916-Unexploded-arrial-torpedo-Illustrated-War-News-1916-06-14-unprocessed-0000.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/2yGRXjjr/IMG-4206.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/hvbV76DX/OBM-9-45in-Converted-Mortar-32-v10.png) (https://postimg.cc/Cn5R3vf0)
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"Most Conspicuous and Consistent Bravery"
Captain Albert Ball, Britain's leading ace at the time of his demise, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross last week, as today's news reports.
(from the Perth Western Mail, 16 June 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/bYSvVCcB/06-15-1917-Albert-Ball-Perth-Western-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/fkZZJvbc)
Here's a well-written article about Ball's diary, which was published on the centenary of his death: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4477130/Final-diary-entry-Britain-s-celebrity-flying-ace.html
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One Day From Death
Here's a picture story celebrating Air VC Reginald Warneford of Britain's Royal Naval Air Service that recounts his heroic destruction of Zeppelin L17 (the first aerial victory of its kind) along with a fantastical artist's interpretation. What the publisher could not now is that the very next day following this story Warneford would be dead - having suffered from the collapse of a new Farman MF.11 just hours after he was awarded the Légion d'honneur from the French Army Commander in Chief, General Joffre.
(from the Tulsa Daily World, 16 June 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kc0SZX6z/06-16-1915-Blew-Up-Zepp-Tulsa-Daily-World.png) (https://postimg.cc/hhQ3rYPW)
Warneford headlined here back in June 2022: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg245240#msg245240
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"Qui s'y frotte s'y pique"
Capitaine Georges Felix Madon ranked among France's top aces of the Great War and among most experienced pilots of any nation. In a combat era when an airman's life was measured in weeks, Madon fought through the entire war. The Tunisian-born pioneer pilot learned to fly way back in 1911 and, after being denied acceptance as a pilot for the Ottoman Empire, enlisted in the French military in 1912. Upon the outbreak of hostilities Madon was flying reconnaissance and night-bombing missions with Escadrille BL30. A stray flight led him to being interned in neutral Switzerland for most of 1915, until he managed to escape by 'chloroforming and kidnapping his guard'!
Madon's first aerial victory occurred on the same day the Imperial German Flying Corps established Jagdstaffeln 9-12, 14 and 15. From the fall of 1916 until the armistice he scored a run of forty confirmed kills with another sixty-four non confirmé. This winning streak made clear his oft-repeated boast of the old French phrase 'he who rubs against it gets pricked'. Today's news marks Madon's victory over a German two-seater in the sky above Rosnay-Gueux. Like so many other aces who survived the war, Madon was killed in a flying accident and too young an age.
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 17 June 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/3NMGzHqn/06-18-1918-Madon-s-33rd-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/MMDXjgqQ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/0jKGVKg4/044-Madon-debut.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via albindenis.free.fr)
Check out forum member John Marco's virtual rendering of Madon's scarlet Spad XIII: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=3656.msg98978#msg98978
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Crowded Clouds
Austrians raiding Italy... Germans strafing the French... Italians Bombing Austrians. Just another busy day up in the air.
(from the Albuquerque Morning Journal, 18 June 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/C5Psd8S7/06-18-1916-Airmen-Busy-Albuquerque-morning-journal-2.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/mDrck5kx/06-18-1916-Italian-Raid-Albuquerque-Morning-Journal.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Flying From Fifty
Admiral Mark Edward Frederic Kerr was fifty years old when he was awarded the Royal Aero Club's Aviator's Certificate no. 842 - the month before Britain joined the Great War. Britain's first flying flag officer was then the head of the Royal Navy's mission to Greece, and was Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Hellenic Navy. During that early phase of the conflict, Greece had acquired a small number of Sopwith Admiraly Type 806 pusher biplanes (as headlined here last September: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg258763#msg258763). In 1916 Kerr was serving as Commander-in-Chief of the British Adriatic Squadron. The following summer he was seconded to the Air Board to assist in the formation of the Air Ministry and the Royal Air Force. Around the time of today's publication, Kerr's "found himself in disagreement on several matters of strategy with Sir Hugh Trenchard, the Chief of the Air Staff... when the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps were merged to form the RAF, Kerr left the Air Council and was appointed General Officer Commanding No. 2 Area. (via wikipedia). He requested retirement from the Royal Navy in October, 1918. The month before Britain ended the Great War.
But Kerr didn't retire from flying - soon after the Armistice he was manning a team attempting to win the Daily Mail's 'Great Atlantic Air Race' (as reported here last October: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg259783#msg259783'). Among his teammates was the intrepid Norwegian Major Jens Tryggve Harman Gran (who headlined here back in April 2022: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg242489#msg242489).
(https://i.postimg.cc/k5LYg1Kj/06-19-1918-Admiral-Ascends-Australian-Town-and-Country-Journal.png) (https://postimg.cc/t1tNrzrP)(https://i.postimg.cc/RVLgvvMh/Newfoundland-to-New-York-1919-p-533-photo-986x1024.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qzgsLV6H)
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Australian Ace
The Australian Flying Corps' top combat pilot garners a postwar spotlight today. Air Commodore Arthur Henry Cobby, CBE, DSO, DFC & Two Bars, GM; scored twenty-nine aerial victories (all in a Sopwith Camel), while flying for less than a sixth months with No.4 Squadron AFC. Much like America's top ace Eddie Rickenbacker, who achied twenty-six victories also in the last six months of the war, who knows what his total tally would be had hostilities continued beyond November 1918.
(from the Dungog Chronicle, 20 June 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/yY9njr5R/06-20-1919-Cobby-Ace-Dungog-Chronicle.png) (https://postimg.cc/2Vk48TCj)(https://i.postimg.cc/Mp9Bm7WR/capt-a-h-cobby-dso-dfc.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Here's a link to an older post by coyotemagic of one of Cobby's Camels in 1/28 scale (though the images don't show for me): https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=6255.msg114074#msg114074
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"Our Splendid Dead"
These old articles really do come in couplets. Following yesterday's headline on the exploits of Australia'a third-highest-scoring Great War ace A.H. Cobby, today's news announces the death of Australia's second-ranked ace Roderic Stanley Dallas. Already a commissioned lieutenant before the war, Dallas was twice rejected by Britain's Royal Flying Corps before joining Royal Naval Air Service in the summer of 1915. The majority of his thirty-two victories were achieved while piloting a Sopwith Triplane. Upon the founding of the Royal Air Force on April Fools Day 1918, Dallas was given command of No. 40 Squadron.
Dallas' final victory occurred on 27 May 1918 - the same day Australia's ace-of-aces, Robert A. Little (who headlined here last February: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg263176#msg263176), was killed in combat. Three days later a message was sent to Dallas notifying him of a promotion to lieutenant colonel and ordering him to cease flying. Reportedly he never received it and went out flying a solo mission from which he never returned. His defeat has been credited to Leutnant Hans Werner, Staffelführer of Jagdstaffel 14, flying a Fokker Triplane. A fellow airman is noted to have proclaimed "The world is upside down ... Dallas has been killed ... Too good for this world I suppose."
(from the Sydney Mirror, 21 June 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/zX83N1Mj/06-21-1918-Dallas-Death-Sydney-Mirror-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/K4pm7Cmk)(https://i.postimg.cc/BZg4xPYT/06-21-1918-Dallas-Death-Sydney-Mirror-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/LhncS5M5)(https://i.postimg.cc/VsGsxbqY/06-21-1918-Dallas-Death-Sydney-Mirror-3.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/D0DCqctf/06-21-1918-Dallas-Death-Sydney-Mirror-4.png) (https://postimg.cc/WqG6V0Nx)
Here's a look back at forum member RussellSmith's two-dimensional rendering of Dallas' well-known camouflaged S.E.5s: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=4511.msg84206#msg84206
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Leutnant Loerzer
Bruno Loerzer was Germany's eigth-highest-ranking ace of the Great War. He was assigned command of Jagdgeschwader III three months before today's news that he has been wounded in action. No information is shared regarding the circumstances. His most recent prior victory, over a SPAD, occurred one week earlier. His next victory would not be until 26 July, when he will fell a Nieuport 28 over Putnay.
(from the Norwich Bulletin, 22 June 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/HxZ3m4r5/06-22-1918-Loerzer-Wounded-Norwich-bulletin.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Dyg3tmFT/Bruno-Loerzer-02.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ykkGR1kQ)
Here's a look at forum member DaveB's build of the 1/28-scale Revel kit styled as Loerzer's Fokker Dr.1: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14409.msg264899#msg264899
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The Hornets of Zeebrugge
This sextet of shoreside seaplanes from Seeflugstation Flandern I looks to have one black sheep in the foreground - the same Sopwith Bat Boat that coincidently headlined here earlier this month: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.msg266302#msg266302
(from The Land (Sydney), 25 June 1916)
(https://i.postimg.cc/6QPybMw6/06-23-1916-German-Seaplane-Base-The-Land-Sydney.png) (https://postimg.cc/KKnGRrRC)
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First to Fall
Victor Emmanuel Chapman joined the French Foreign Legion on 30 August 1914, and spent time in the trenches before requesting transfer to the Aéronautique Militaire. One of the founding members of N.124, the Escadrille Americaine (also known as the Lafayette Escadrille), he suffered a head would in combat against Walter Höhndorf nine days before today's news. He must have still been recovered from this wound when he was back flying his Nieuport XVI north of Douaumont on the 24th. Here he was intercepted and shot down by German ace Leutnant Kurt Wintgens, in a Halberstadt D.II; becoming the first American pilot to be killed in combat during the Great War.
(from The Evening World, 24 June 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/3w7SqZ8G/06-24-1916-Chapman-Killed-evening-world-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/21c7bhBj)
(https://i.postimg.cc/j53ML0z6/06-24-1916-Chapman-Killed-evening-world-2.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/L5qNPCTc/06-24-1916-Chapman-Killed-evening-world-3.png) (https://postimg.cc/bShxcR4g)(https://i.postimg.cc/gkZgk7rR/06-24-1916-Chapman-Killed-evening-world-4.png) (https://postimg.cc/vcGr03rH)(https://i.postimg.cc/P5n2LM87/06-24-1916-Chapman-Killed-evening-world-5.png) (https://postimg.cc/N5b1SmD8)
Chapman made the new here last July during a memorable outing to Paris: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg256724#msg256724
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Aggressive Salesmanship
Here's a creative way to move a wartime piano inventory. Also insensitive maybe? Considering the first Zeppelin raid on London had just occurred less than one month prior...
(from the Detroit Times, 25 June 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/7h8ytW6k/06-25-1915-Dropping-Bombs-for-Pianos-Detroit-Times.png) (https://postimg.cc/YG3Vh8Yn)
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Unidentified 'Super-Aeroplane'
Anyone have a clue as to what this newly introduced RAF two-seater might be? I'm going to guess our reporter is describing the Airco DH.9A, which first flew in March 1918, with deliveries commencing in June. It's 400hp Liberty engine earned it a top speed of 123 mph, an endurance of nearloy 5 1/2 hours, and a service ceiling of 16,750 ft. Any other guesses?
(from the Abergavenny Chronicle, 26 June 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/FsmbXNqd/06-26-1918-Super-Airplane-Abergavenny-Chronicle.png) (https://postimages.org/)
Check out this D.H.9a in U.S. livery by forum guest 'mike in calif': https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=5106.msg90058#msg90058
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Richtofen's 56th
At 1840 hours on 25 June, while each was piloting a scarlet Albratos in clear skies over Le Bizet, Manfred von Richtofen and wingman Leutnant Karl Allmenröder encountered Leslie Spencer Bowman and James Edward Power-Clutterbuck flying in R.E.8 A3847 while on artillery-spotting duty for No. 53 Squadron RFC. Within moments the unlucky British aviators were sent nosediving into No-Mans Land. This would make for Richtofen's third kill in three consecutive days. What a petrifying sight those two planes must have been! Alas, the duo's winning streak was not to be for long... two kills and two days later - the very day this news went to press - Allmenröder himself would be dead (as headlined here last June" https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg256383#msg256383).
(from the Washington Times, 27 June 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/DZDj9t70/06-27-1917-Richtofen-and-Allmenroeder-Washington-Times.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Hibernian Brothers
History was made last month when the HMS Hibernia hosted the first launch of an aircraft from a moving vessel in May 1912. But you all already know this thanks to forum member lone modeller's newly minted amazing 1/72-scale scratch-built diorama of this subject!: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14511.msg266887#msg266887
Today's news out of Australia announces that achievement, but with one notable difference. The newspaper's image depicts a Short Brothers type S.41 being slung over the Hibernia's starboard side, not the actual first aircraft, which was a Short S.38. There is no evidence that the S.41 actually flew from Hibernia's makeshift launch deck; however, the sibling seaplanes were perched together aboard ship. In addition to the image below there's actually surviving motion-picture footage from that day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aRhjX-WN6A.
(from the Brisbane Week, 28 June 1912):
(https://i.postimg.cc/mDVjRnr1/06-28-1912-Short-Hydroplane-The-Week-Brisbane.png) (https://postimg.cc/XGGdkQdn)(https://i.postimg.cc/sXSGy649/443-2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image: Flight magazine, 1912; via theirflyingmachines.ru)
And just for fun, here's a rough 3D sketch of the S.41 that I've been tinkering with the past few days:
(https://i.postimg.cc/8zM5nKNh/Short-S-41-v20.png) (https://postimg.cc/jDqtDhW5)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Vkph5gCH/Short-S-41-v20a.png) (https://postimg.cc/ZWPHMrjr)
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Where is Baer?
America's first ace is missing. On 21 May 1918, Paul Frank Baer scored his eighth victory with the USAAC's 103rd Squadron when he shot down an Albatros west of Ypres. The following morning he would score again on a scouting mission over Laventie but would not return. It is believed he was downed by German pilot Hans Müller (his 5th victory to date). Fortunately Baer survived his fall to earth, albeit with injury. He served the balance of the Great War as a prisoner, though he did manage to briefly escape before being recaptured. After the armistice Paul Baer took to the sky again fighting Bolsheviks in Poland, as a test pilot in the United States, an air-mail pilot in South America, and in China where he met his fate in 1930 flying after "striking the mast of a boat on the Huanpu River".
(from the New Britain Herald, 29 June 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/d3nKkB1g/06-29-1918-Ace-Missing-New-Britain-herald.png) (https://postimg.cc/BP8zR22C)
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Red Devil
"He spent all his savings and then borrowed more to go to England at his own expense and join the Royal Flying Corps. He enlisted in England early in 1916 as an Air Mechanic, but his brilliance received immediate recognition, and after three weeks he was gazetted Second Lieutenant, and by July 1916, Harry Butler was flying in France.
His second greatest talent proved to be as an instructor....He was soon made Captain and Flight Commander, and during his service as an instructor 2,700 pupils passed through the school to which he was attached. This in itself was a magnificent contribution to the Allied war effort, but Harry Butler adopted an atypical instructor’s routine of his own that added further merit to his service. Butler would fly to France, attach himself to an active Fighter Squadron and join its raids, so that he could study each new German tactic at first hand, work out an effective counter to it and then go back to his school and give further instruction in the light of the information he had gained in battle." (via yorke.sa.gov.au)
After demobilization in 1919, Harry Butler returned home with two wartime keepsakes - an Avro 504k and a Bristol M1 nicknamed 'Red Devil'. He then established the first airport and first passenger-flight business in South Australia. In partnership with Harry Kauper (known for his gun-synchronization design) Butler converted his Avro to seat two passengers, and opended the Captain Harry J. Butler & Kauper Aviation Co. Ltd. Though this operation didn't survive long, the 'Red Devil' survives today as the only extant plane of its kind. It is housed at Harry Butler Memorial, Minlaton, South Australia. Has anyone here ever seen it in person?
(from the Adelaide Observer, 30 June 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/XYmPjmy2/06-30-1917-Midlaton-Airman-Observer-Adelaide.png) (https://postimg.cc/rDGjghjW)
Note: It is believed that this doctored image depicts Butler at the Auxiliary School of Aerial Gunnery No. 2, Turnberrry, Ayrshire in Scotland.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Wb0J3JK0/Bristol-M1-C-shortly-after-its-arrival-in-Australia-being-held-back-for-takeoff-from-a-short-airstrip.jpg) (https://postimages.org/) (image via collections.slsa.sa.gov.au).
A different Red Devil headlined here in March 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg252958#msg252958
Check out forum memer drdave's build of a 1/32-scale Bristol M1C by AlleyCat: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=2711.msg44784#msg44784
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Scrambled Sky Fighters
Have fun with today's challenge!
(source name unknown, June 1935):
(https://i.postimg.cc/vmLnWXhw/07-00-1935-Scrambled-Sky-Fighters-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SXRj46Hg)(https://i.postimg.cc/nr79hkCW/07-00-1935-Scrambled-Sky-Fighters-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GTLmMvPP)
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My not perfect solution to the puzzle:
1. Junker Fokker
2. De Havilland 4
3. AlLbatros ???
4. Aviatik D-two
5. De Havilland 9a
6. AEG BIPLANE
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Well done! I couldn't figure our #6 for the life of me.
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Yank in British Ranks
It's been a week since American Elliott White Springs earned his fourth aerial victory flying an S.E.5a with the RAF's No. 85 Squadron "Flying Foxes" under command of Billy Bishop. Not yet an ace upon the publication of today's article, Springs would soon be transferred to the 148th Aero Squadron. Here he would tally a remarkable string of victories in this same Sopwith Camel. This included ten Fokker D.VII's - with him felling three in just one day! Springs crashed his camel in September 1918, the same month he was promoted to command the 148th.
"He enlisted in the army in 1917 and was sent to England for training with the Royal Flying Corps. In 1918, he was one of several pilots hand picked by William Bishop to fly the S.E.5a with 85 Squadron in France. After recovering from wounds received in action on 27 June 1918, he was reassigned to the 148th Aero Squadron which was still under the operational control of the RFC. When the war ended, Springs returned to the United States where he barnstormed while writing "Warbirds: The Diary of an Unknown Aviator." His book was largely based upon a collection of letters written by his friend, John McGavock Grider, who was killed in action while serving with 85 Squadron. "Warbirds" was a bestseller and Springs continued writing books based on his experiences during World War I. Recalled to active duty in 1941, Springs served with the United States Army Air Corps during World War II." (via the Aerodrome).
"He was also known for carousing, habits he picked up overseas in the War. He toured speakeasies, drank heavily, chased women, and hosted all-night parties. He regularly visited friends "with a five-gallon jug and a strange woman." (via wikipedia)
(from the Lancaster News, 2 Jly 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/s1d21jVs/07-02-1918-Elliot-White-Springs-Lancaster-news.png) (https://postimg.cc/BPp3VGLV)
(https://i.postimg.cc/zXrbJ73W/111-SC-24276-NARA-55208159-cropped.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/s1TDmpYD)
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Mistaken Identity
Coupled with yesterday's post about an American ace flying for Britain, today's topic covers another flying for France. Lieutenant Frank Leaman Baylies had twelve victories to his credit when he was patrolling west of Roye with wingmen François Macari and soon-to-be-ace André Dubonnet. Spotting a formation of Sopwiths on the horizon, the trio steered their SPADS around to join. Upon approach they realized too late that they had actually flown into a flock of four Fokker Triplanes. Baylies then "..stood his SPAD XII on a wingtip and turned away. Three of the Germans dived on him. He looped in behind one, but the fourth Fokker in turn dove on him and shot him down" (via wikipedia). Macari escaped; Dubonnet was also shot down but survived. Baylies' defeat is credited as the second victory for future ace Rudolf Reinau. Ironically, Baylies had been flying for France because he had been rejected by the American air service due to substandard vision.
(from the Breckenridge News, 3 July 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Lsh3wzyW/07-03-1918-Baylies-Dead-Breckenridge-news.png) (https://postimg.cc/mcf9FFW3)
Here's a view of Reinau's Triplane in 1/72 scale by modeler J.R. Boye, over on the old WWI Modelling Page: http://www.wwi-models.org/Images/BoyeJ/German/index.html
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Albatros Apprehended
This doctored photo, published by an American newspaper, looks to depict the German Albatros D.V (serial number D2359/17) flown by Ltn. Otto Hohmuth of Jasta 23b, which was forced to land at Feuchy on 7 March 1918. Does anyone know the ultimate fate of this aircraft?
(from the Evening Herald, 4 July 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Prt2sgCc/07-04-1918-Albatros-Captured-vening-herald.png) (https://postimg.cc/Jt2bjdcc)
(https://i.postimg.cc/QMdx5xnD/Albatros-DVa-D2359-17-Jasta-23b-France-1918.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via ww2aircraft.net)
(https://i.postimg.cc/6QjyqGcn/383833897-699177388908200-1388585504626847219-n.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5HzxkyZ2)
(image my RJM, via facebook)
Here's a look back at an unrelated Albatros D.V modeled by forum member gbrivio: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=7570.msg139149#msg139149
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"Busman's" Holiday
Here's a good read about wounded soldiers being taken up for a 'blip' in a Farman.
(from the Illustrated War News, 5 July 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/mD1hmM4f/07-05-1916-Busman-s-Holiday-Illustrated-War-News.png) (https://postimg.cc/47ZJdYnB)
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Fledgling's Fiery Finale
This wasser doppeldecker of Germany's Kaiserliche Marine looks to be the prototype Gotha WD.7 biplane based out of Seeflugstation Flandern I. The unlucky aircraft was captured by the French on its first combat mission three month's before today's news. Evidently the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing after an engine failed but was able to set the machine alight before capture. Seven further WD.7s were manufactured and were used for training purposes.
(from the Melbourne Argus, 6 July 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/wTD2JNgf/07-06-1916-BEATEN-GERMAN-AIRMEN-SET-FIRE-TO-THEIR-SEAPLANE-Melbourne-Argus.png) (https://postimg.cc/fJTYQJ3m)
(https://i.postimg.cc/tC1QH2d1/Gotha-WD-7-burning-Aviation-and-Aeronautical-Engineering-September-15-1916-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Primer Correo Aéreo
Mexico's Talleres Nacionales de Construcciones Aeronauticas (national aviation workshops) began manufacturing airplanes in 1915. The 19th airplane of their Series A design made history on July 6th when it became the first Mexican aircraft to perform airmail service. One day after the United States' American Expeditionary Force was established to support Allied forces against the German Empire, Lieutenant Horacio Ruiz Gaviño piloted TNCA 6A19, which was powered by a 160 hp Hispano Suiza motor, from the city of Pachuca, Hidalgo to Balbuena airfield (now Mexico City International Airport).
(from the Washington Times, 7 July 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/02W3sVVB/07-07-1917-Mexican-Mail-Washington-Times.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/vHJKT4dr/088.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Fittingly, among the correspondence carried in this inaugural airmail service was a postcard... depicting an airplane! This card was auctioned in 2010 for $3,000.
(https://i.postimg.cc/3NgLzHts/102078N2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rsCM9st3/102078-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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'Terror of the Taubes'
I swear these old articles really do resurface in pairs. Following yesterday's news about the man who made Mexico's inaugural airmail service, today's article is about the man who piloted Australia's first airmail run. As we know from a recent headline here (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.msg266013#msg266013), the French pioneer pilot Maurice Guillaux was making aviation news in Australia just before the outbreak of the Great War. After piloting the first seaplane flight in that country, Guillaux made 'the longest air mail flight anywhere in the world' when he flew from Melbourne to Sydney in July 1914. Fast forward one year and and we learn that he is now back in France and in the cockpit of a Morane-Saulnier monoplane, which is featured in today's photo story. Ironically, Guillaux would die piloting a Morane-Saulnier prototype in May 1917.
(from the Daily Telegraph, 8 July 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/vHrzwVnk/07-08-1915-Terror-of-the-Taubes-Daily-Telegraph.png) (https://postimg.cc/1fz6p4Jr)
(https://i.postimg.cc/W1gbn0dW/1ee8-910c-5da5-b086-1c25770dad3a.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/WpGBXS8J/3e69-3739-5c66-9b35-f65aa6506c4a.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via slsa.sa.gov.au)
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Forbidden First
Another unusual headline today reports the aerial bombardment of the Chinese Forbidden City (紫禁城) in Peking (now Beijing). While Europe remains entangled in total war, and Russia mired in revolution, China is currently in the middle of its short-lived Manchu Restoration. This royalist coup was an attempt to restore the Qing Dynasty by loyalist General Chang Hsun (Zhang Xun; 張勳), whose army seized the capital and briefly reinstalled the last emperor, Puyi.
One dramatic development was the aerial bombardment of the Imperial Palace at 10:30 in the morning of Saturday the 7th. "...a Caudron Type D aircraft, piloted by Pan Shizhong (潘世忠) with bombardier Du Yuyuan (杜裕源) was dispatched from Nanyuan Airbase to drop three bombs over the Forbidden City, causing the death of a eunuch, but otherwise causing minor damage; other sources state that the Caudron aircraft was piloted by the principal of the Nanyuan Aviation School, Qin Guoyong (秦國鏞). This was the first recorded instance of aerial bombardment deployed by the early-republican era Chinese Air Force". (via wikipedia).
"One {bomb} exploded outside the Gate of Heavenly Purity, injured a palace guard and a sedan bearer and killed a dog. The second one exploded in the Imperial Garden and injured a eunuch. The third one landed in a water drum in front of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and thus did not explode. It is said that the Emperor was frightened into disease, and the elderly Palace concubines were so frightened by the incident that yesterday they were unable to eat any food” (via beijing-postcards.com). The Caudron, which was equipped with a six-cylinder Anzani radial was one of three delivered to China in 1912. As noted, the failed coup led to Chang Hsun's resignation. He retreated to civilian life and died in 1923.
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 9 July 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/FRv6VS8v/07-09-1917-Peking-Palace-Bombed-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/NGXzzBRF/71-L2-AIib-F5-L-AC-SL1000.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hPWWj1kt/3-bombs-dropped-in-the-Forbidden-city.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via beijing-postcards.com)
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Death on the Nile
(from the Sydney Morning Herald, 10 July 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/c17hT0Gy/07-09-1919-Brit-Killed-Sydney-M-orning-Herald-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/hhjVtFGp)(https://i.postimg.cc/gjfGn8zQ/07-09-1919-Brit-Killed-Sydney-M-orning-Herald-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/sG9kLBZ4)(https://i.postimg.cc/XqW7T0ZZ/large-7003754.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YGXHWZzk)
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"Sails Through Fire"
During the cover of night, piloting British-designed Sopwith 1A2s, Frenchmen from the Aéronautique Militaire's Escadrille Sop 111 make a seven-hour foray into Germany's industrial heartland. Nocturnal fog would disperse the group, but one flyer will make it to his target - Essen. "Brilliant pilot who, during these last months, carried out a great many bombing raids in an attack sector. On the night of July 6 and 7, 1917, alone on board and despite unfavorable atmospheric circumstances, carried out a bombing raid of more than 750 kilometers, hitting enemy industry in the heart. Holding the air for more than seven consecutive hours, demonstrated, during this magnificent feat, extraordinary courage and endurance." (translated from the French citation of 14 July 1917)
(from The Sun, 10 July 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/cJ8gL0Z9/07-10-1917-Krupp-Bomber-Guided-by-Stars-The-Sun-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/gwmkM9x8)(https://i.postimg.cc/QCPV3ywG/07-10-1917-Krupp-Bomber-Guided-by-Stars-The-Sun-2.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ry9vP4Wj/28587-11-07-essen-bombardc3a9e-photo.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via reims1418.wordpress.com)
Check out forum member coyotemagic's build of a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter in French service: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=7575.msg139192#msg139192
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"Auf und Ab"
Here's a fun photo of an apparently bustling aerodrome from the Eastern Front. Author Ole Nikolajsen, writing in Ottoman Aviation 1911 - 1919, p. 203, cites the image as 'A Rumpler C.I and Pfalz E.I (Lt Henckel) flying over Beersheba Airfield, April 1916', which actually was over a year earlier than today's publication. More information on the Central Powers' aerial presence in the Middle East can be found here: https://alh-research.tripod.com/Light_Horse/index.blog?topic_id=1111256
(from The Aeroplane, 12 July 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/wMPPfr3B/07-11-1917-Germans-Take-Off-The-Aeroplane.png) (https://postimg.cc/GTFq9qF0)
Here's a Rumpler C type built by forum member MS406: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=4735.0
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Ancient Aeronaut
Ever wonder who was the earliest-born person to pilot an airplane? I bet this fellow could be a contender. Nicknamed the 'Dean of Aeronauts', Captain John Berry of the United States was born c.1848 and ranked among the most experienced balloonists at the turn of the last century. In front of a crowd of 40,000 people Berry won the very first race ever held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - in a hot-air balloon. He learned how to fly at age 67. Berry clearly survived today's bruising in East St. Louis and lived until 1931.
(from the Washington Times, 13 July 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/NMMPMf4N/07-13-1917-Ancient-Aviator-Washington-Times.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/zGfrW50g/june-5-1909-balloons-2-980w.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via indymotorspeedway.com)
Fun fact: John Berry's son, Captain Albert Berry is credited made the first parachute jump from a moving airplane in the US on 1 March 1912.
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Pirate Pursuit
(from the World's News, 14 July 1917)
(https://i.postimg.cc/DynXwx47/07-14-1917-Hunting-Pirates-World-s-News.png) (https://postimg.cc/8sX5yBbY)
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B.E. Entangled
Bad luck or poor piloting ended this particular flight for this pole-pitched plane. Though today's photo story was published after the war it must date to a couple years earlier. The location is reputed to be RNAS Cranwell, as evidenced by an original photograph of this incident that was part of an album that resurfaced and was auctioned a hundred years later: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3513666/World-War-One-photographs-not-magnificent-flying-machines-trainee-RAF-pilots-came-cropper.html
(from the Sydney Mail, 16 July 1919)
(https://i.postimg.cc/mkXp8fR3/07-16-1919-Not-Unusual-Mishap-Sydney-Mail-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/p5jBLSmy)(https://i.postimg.cc/JndFMDdV/94035eddae4fe6bc85e95fbd80885cf0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CBk741gm)(https://i.postimg.cc/2jh1Wtgs/7f8ab6707e19b25a8585c7ae32f600a5.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Buk Bridge Bombed
Here's an interesting quote from a post over at greatwarforum.org about this incident as told by an ancestor of the pilot who bombed it in 1916: "The Buk Bridge, mentioned in the Report, was one of several bridges on the Salonika to Constantinople railway line, part of which was a vital logistic route for the Bulgarian Army, which the RNAS spent much of the war bombing and the Bulgarians and Turks rebuilding. My Great Uncle who flew with "A" Squadron from Thasos and Stavros had a crack at the various bridges on several occasions, quite successfully too. The accompanying photo shows Buk Railway Bridge being bombed but it is NOT on the 22nd Sept 1918 but earlier in 1916. Buk is now in Greece and called PARANESTI. A bridge still carries the railway line today but much rebuilt!"
(from the Sydney Sun, 17 July 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Dw6nFNHJ/07-17-1919-100lb-Bomb-Sydney-Sun.png) (https://postimg.cc/zyy9FxJ8)(https://i.postimg.cc/zfHtpbCz/839274497-Buk-Railway-Bridge-thumb-JPG-9f10adb078ab76b68e5c2584d75fcf59.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CZYsxKrX)
I believe the RNAS employed two types of 100lb. bombs in 1916. One being a Hale's Patent variant, the other being a Royal Laboratory high-explosive. Here are two digital renderings I've made in 1/32nd scale depicting each:
(https://i.postimg.cc/XvfyTY1b/Bomb-100lb-Mk-I-C-light-case-1-32-v14.png) (https://postimg.cc/nsLzmptR)
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Mademoiselles Mécanique
Looks like these two ladies are posing by the tail end of a Maurice Farman MF.11 Shorthorn.
(from the Illustrated War News, 18 July 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/zGB7ZM9B/07-18-1917-Women-Mechanics-Illustrated-War-News.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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'Large America'
Here's a factory photo of the Curtiss Model H-12; cousin to Britain's Felixstowe series of long-range flying boats. Nearly five hundred were built.
(from the Columbus Commercial, 19 July 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/jdB7jS5G/07-19-1917-Curtiss-Lifts-a-Ton-Columbus-commercial.png) (https://postimg.cc/JGcn6mjq)
The H-12 also headlined here back in February 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg252696#msg252696
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Cumulus Combat
While no specifics are shared about this overcast encounter between German and French airmen it still offers insight to the thrill of the chase and one's frustrations when the enemy gets away to fight another day.
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 20 July 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/25V80dHb/07-20-1915-Cloud-Chase-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Coming and Going
Here are two views of what looks to be an Franco-British Aviation Type H flying boat in it's natural element. Nearly 2,000 of these craft were produced for eleven countries.
(from the Australasian, 21 July 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/PJ95bYfW/07-21-1917-Seaplane-Shot-Australasian-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/p5QvR9Fr)(https://i.postimg.cc/Dz6fjtyy/07-21-1917-Seaplane-Shot-Australasian-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/4KKTn29r)
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Cayat's Calamity
Lucienne Cayat de Castella ranked among the world's first female parachutists. Alongside her husband and fellow pioneer aviator, Georges Cayat, she made news in May 1914 with a public demonstration at Nevers in central France. Alas, just six days before the outbreak of war, during a demonstration at Stockel race track in Brussels her parachute failed and she fell to her demise. It certainly took daring to have been perched in such a precarious position; "...testing one of the examples made by her husband Georges Cayat, attached by three leather straps under the tail of her robe, the parachute being fixed under a wing and connected by another harness to her armpits, with her hands surrounded by rags so as not to be injured by the cables that she was clinging to. Her husband, inventor of an opening system assisted by compressed air, detached her at an altitude of 800 meters, while her face was barely 50 centimeters from the propeller". (via fr.wikipedia.org)
(from the Daily Capital Journal, 22 July 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/TwXwjpFS/07-22-1914-Parachute-Fails-Daily-Capital-Journal.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/KzgyHXpC/31542162178.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Fun fact: The town of Nevers still maintains a parachuting school today: https://paraparisnevers.fr/
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Death Roll
Here's the who, how, when and where of aviation's first three-hundred fatalities. Click twice to expand image size.
(from the New York Times, 23 July 1913)
(https://i.postimg.cc/xd4CP673/07-23-1913-300-Dead-New-York-Times.png) (https://postimg.cc/1gDsmry8)
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Mysterious Madman
(from the Wheeling Intelligencer, 24 July 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/SsFsr86p/07-24-1919-Great-War-Mystery-Wheeling-Intelligencer-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/ns2pVXSd)(https://i.postimg.cc/VNH4VMfQ/07-24-1919-Great-War-Mystery-Wheeling-Intelligencer-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/CZkjZRnm)(https://i.postimg.cc/C5bN5QjS/07-24-1919-Great-War-Mystery-Wheeling-Intelligencer-3.png) (https://postimg.cc/V0LMH4GV)
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Bid For Supremacy
Here's a great photo story of American-owned Nieuports, officially cited, "Twenty-six aeroplanes in line for inspection, aviation field, Issoudon (sic), France; 4/1918".
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 25 July 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/wjB9583f/07-25-1918-Bid-for-Supremacy-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Check out forum member rhallinger's amazing build or he 1/32-scale Roden Nieuport 27 with markings for the USAS, 3rd Aviation Instruction Center, Issoudun, https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=2490.msg40420#msg40420
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Death of an Airman
(from the Sydney Mail, 26 July 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/0ybXYP1y/07-26-1916-Death-of-an-Airman-Sydney-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/LJFVRdsc)
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Brave Aucklander
"Flight Sub-Lieutenant Norman Reginald Davenport was one of 60 New Zealanders and two Collegians known to have served in the Royal Navy Air Service (RNAS) during the First World War. Davenport gained his pilot or aviator’s certificate on 25 November 1915, and was transferred to the Naval Flying School at Eastchurch in Kent to fine-tune his flying skills. There Davenport met fellow New Zealander Donald Harkness {who}... mentions Davenport a number of times in his wartime diary."
These entries (the latter pertaining to today's news) reveal the "trials of cross-country flights in fragile planes with limited navigational equipment":
"-29 December 1915- ‘Davenport did not return last night as he had lost his way and come down near Canterbury. Today he left there, but owing to engine trouble came down again near Chatham. He turned up here again tonight, but without his machine. He landed near a camp, where a crowd of soldiers gathered round, the great majority of whom he said had never seen an aeroplane before and just gaped open-mouthed’.
- June {1916}, off the coast of Belgium, Davenport’s plane engine failed not long after take-off and his plane fell some 150-200 feet into the sea. Luckily, neither the bombs Davenport was carrying nor his plane exploded and he was found alive but suffering from exposure, shock and severe bruising. He was taken to Alexandria Hospital, Dunkirk and then to Netley Hospital, Southampton for a lengthy convalescence.
Davenport never returned to active duty after his accident; instead he was put on home service testing aircraft engines for the Aeronautical Inspection Department of the Ministry of Munitions. He was invalided home to New Zealand in August 1917 and arrived in Auckland in the October" (via specialcollections.auckland.ac.nz)
Read more on this aviator's story here: https://www.specialcollections.auckland.ac.nz/ww1-centenary/collegians-at-war/their-stories/norman-davenport
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 27 July 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/htXXZpCB/07-27-1916-Brave-Aucklander-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Pxyf5w6y/07-27-1916-Davenport-Injured.webp) (https://postimg.cc/34yQLdQ0)
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Gallant Lad's Final Flight
No name is noted in this one-paragraph post on the purported last mission of an unidentified British aviator. Might anyone know the identity of this anonymous airman?
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 28 July 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/k4DmypMr/07-28-1917-Gallant-Lad-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Nieuport Stalks Seaplane
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 31 July 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/nhbxLKk7/07-29-1916-Nieuport-Loops-to-Victory-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/nCkgRDNc)
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Romanians Rout German Interloper
Here's an interesting snippet on an aerial interception by the little-reported Romanian Air Corps, which at this stage of the war was still neutral and was equipped with only thirty-four airplanes. No machine types are mentioned, but the RAC was equipped with Blériots, Bristols, Farmans Morane-Saulniers, Voisin III/V, a Caudron and an Aviatik.
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 30 July 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/FzYxwLks/07-31-1915-Rumanian-Chase-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)
Read more about the RAC here: https://amnr.defense.ro/webroot/fileslib/upload/files/Revista_Document/Revista_061_2013.pdf
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German Engineering
Here's a comparatively deep dive into mid-war aero design developments.
(from Aviation and Aeronautical Engineering, 1 August 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kj7JznNc/08-01-1916-aviation-and-aeronautical-engineering-content-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jn5z3nmB)(https://i.postimg.cc/vTytp4dJ/08-01-1916-aviation-and-aeronautical-engineering-2content-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ph0jjXrC)(https://i.postimg.cc/26yDnSJf/08-01-1916-aviation-and-aeronautical-engineering3content-3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JyfvLMMT)
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NC-4 Ashore
The beautifully streamlined (at least the hull) Curtiss NC-4 makes a seaside postwar appearance. This aircraft last headlined here in December 2022 (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg250981#msg250981)
(from the Adelaide Observer, 2 August 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/NF774xkP/08-02-1919-NC4-in-England-Adelaide-Observer.png) (https://postimg.cc/MfHQZV4y)
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Kablooey
A sad incident on the British home front is reported today. Shocking that such 'souvenirs' would be allowed to enter private possession...particularly during wartime!
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 3 August 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/QNcj348W/08-03-1915-Dangerous-Souvenir-Cabria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/dDQbR9Tq)
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Flying Sub Gun
"The Davis gun was the first true recoilless gun developed and taken into service. It was developed by Commander Cleland Davis of the United States Navy in 1910, just prior to World War I. Davis' design connected two guns back to back, with the backwards-facing gun loaded with lead balls and grease of the same weight as the shell in the other gun, acting as a counter. His idea was used experimentally by the British and Americans as an anti-Zeppelin and anti-submarine weapon mounted on the British Handley Page O/100 and O/400 bombers and the American Curtiss Twin JN[1] and Curtiss HS-2L and H-16 flying boats." (via wikipedia)
(from the Norwich Bulletin, 4 August 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/3rSC5TCT/08-04-1917-Davis-Gun-Norwich-Bulletin.png) (https://postimg.cc/14FNwbjC)(https://i.postimg.cc/s22GJn1J/57977680a1a37-Davisgunbeingloadeduse-jpg-479deb66b2bdac9276d5ac9106e921b7.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Italian Triumph
Here's a report boasting of Italy's development of their heavy bombing campaign, along with mention of U.S. Colonel Raynal Bolling and his diplomatic mission to study their achievements. Though the article mostly discusses the Italians activity, it also announces that the US Army has finally decided to take aviation seriously enough to cath up with Europe. Bolling was "...appointed to the advisory Aircraft Production Board of the Council of National Defense to head an aeronautical commission to Europe known as "the Bolling Mission," to represent Secretary of War Newton D. Baker and the Board. His commission consisted of himself, two Army pilots trained in aeronautical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, two naval officers, seven civilian industrial experts, and 93 civilian manufacturing technicians. The commission was charged with studying the types of military aircraft being used by the Allied Powers, recommend types to be put into production in the United States, and determine what types should be purchased directly from European sources. Bolling was chosen for his business and legal skills in negotiating prices and royalties. The commission left for Europe on June 17, 1917, and arrived in Liverpool on June 26. After a week in London, where its members fanned out to English airfields and aircraft factories, the commission repeated the process in Paris for two weeks, Italy for ten days, and then returned to Paris. Bolling took advantage of his mission's "quasi-diplomatic" status and his brother-in-law's authority as an Assistant Secretary of State to communicate with Washington using the State Department's transatlantic telegraph cable." (via wikipedia)
(from L'Illustrazione Della Guerra e La Stampa Sportiva, 5 August 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/P5MvngBH/08-05-1917-Italian-Triumph-L-Illustrazione-Della-Guerra-e-La-Stampa-Sportiva.png) (https://postimg.cc/FY7HjBrC)
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MidNight Melodrama
The Great War only weeks old when this unknown artist offered their interpretation of 'things to come' with their depiction of a nocturnal engagement between a battleship ablaze and multiple bombarding biplanes.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 6 August 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/W3zRRYX4/08-06-1914-Modern-Warfare-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/p9wczCNN)
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Voisons Victorious
A trio of French-made bombers in Italian service has attacked a railway station along the coast northwest of Trieste. The exact type of Voisin is not disclosed, but I wonder if these aircraft belonged to La 25ª Squadriglia del Servizio Aeronautico del Regio Esercito, which was equipped with the Type III and which, less than two months from today's headline, will conduct the first Italian night reconnaissance flight over Trieste.
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 7 August 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Px8L5nq2/08-07-1916-Voisins-in-Italy-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/3RgKq8N5/Screenshot-2024-08-08-at-5-01-42-PM.png) (https://postimg.cc/VrkQrcXD)
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The Belgian Balloon Buster is Back
(from the Washington Times, 8 August 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/htYn2zS3/08-08-1918-Willy-Coppens-Washington-Times.png) (https://postimg.cc/CRb91Knj)
Coppens first headlined here back in July 2022: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg246494#msg246494
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Guess Who
Paired with our Voisin article from two days back, today's dispatch describes another Voisin victory - this time an LAS variant flying for France with L'escadrille V106, which was based in the Malzéville Plateau during the summer of 1915. It is a relatively minor incident over Nancy involving the downing of a German Albatros generically dubbed by the reporter as a 'taube'. However, this article marks the first aerial coup (as well as the first naming by the British press that I've yet found) of future-ace Charles Eugene Jules Marie Nungesser.
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 9 August 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/d1ff2Cvq/08-09-1915-Nungesser-downs-aube-08-27-1915-Bigworth-s-False-Claim-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/m2RbtcLv/image6.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via aircraftinvestigation.info)
Nungesser also headlined here back in November 2022: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg249446#msg249446
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Sore Loser
I really enjoy uncovering these old war stories. Sometimes its hard to tell if they've been embellished or are fabricated outright. Today's 'melodrama' initially had me thinking the latter but sure enough this incident (at least the downing of the German plane) actually happened!
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 10 August 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kz9d0Rhv/08-10-1916-Melodramatic-Grmane-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/Ppw3xfqB)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y09WYyMy/e3741d56-80f4-e47f-3e54-496d3514b22e.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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'Wizard of the Void'
Basil Watson's first exposure to aviation occurred in his teens when he witnessed the famous Harry Houdini fly over Melbourne in 1910. In 1914 he sailed to England with Harry Hawker and joined the Sopwith Aviation Company as an engineer and would ultimately follow in Hawker's footsteps as a test pilot. He is shown below piloting a Bat Boat. A smashup in the summer of 1915 rendered Watson unfit for military service so he returned to Australia. Missing out on the fun back in England, he he began construction of his own Sopwithesque biplane in his home. During a test flight in March 1917 he crashed for his final time:
"...Watson proceeded to entertain soldiers stationed at an adjoining A.I.F. camp with a display of his typical aerobatic feats. Having successfully completed a "loop the loop", he banked the plane to enter a steep dive at 2000 ft, when suddenly a small clip securing part of the aircraft gave way and the wings appeared to fold back on themselves, causing the aircraft to plummet headlong towards the ground. Watson could be seen desperately trying to regain control, before realising that all hope was lost, and instead steering the plane away from the crowd of thousands of spectators. The aircraft plunged into the sea almost nose first, crumpling on impact in less than a metre of water close to the shoreline. Basil Watson was severely injured and died moments later as the first witnesses arrived on the scene wading out to the wreckage." (via wikipedia)
(from the Graphic of Australia, 11 August 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/yYMQsVxf/08-11-1916-Basil-Watson-Graphic-of-Australia.png) (https://postimg.cc/gnKqKbvR)(https://i.postimg.cc/wjYVn04Z/0-n-Q-Uoy-RTPq0mndej.webp) (https://postimg.cc/ZCjpdFSx)
(image via museumsvictoria.com.au)
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Improved Aviatik
I'm guessing this article refers to the C type, which was introduced in 1915?
(from the Cambria Daily Leader 12 August 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/zvgsXCnf/08-12-1915-Improved-Aviatik-Cambria-Daily-Leader-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/xN9x6bpr)(https://i.postimg.cc/520mBxRB/08-12-1915-Improved-Aviatik-Cambria-Daily-Leader-2.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/PqGs9FZR/Aviatik-C-I.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via wikipedia)
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'Modern Motoring'
I'd love to know which reporter was using the nom de plume 'Spark-Plug' for today's French-subject photo story. Looks to me to be a Donnet-Denhaut D.D.1 or D.D2 flying boat. A similar image in the collection of the Imperial War Museum tracks this scene to Salonika, 9 November 1916... many months before the article's publication.
(from the Herald of Melbourne, 14 August 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/J4kxZyQH/08-13-1917-French-Seaplane-The-Herlad-Melbourne.png) (https://postimg.cc/nCnqthgn)
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'Poundered to Atoms'
This Welshman's eye-witness recollection brings to life the sounds, sights and dread of being on the receiving end of nightly bombing raids.
(from Yr Adsain, 14 August 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/QxSXhMRw/08-14-1919-After-a-Raid-Yr-Adsain-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/HVcGtTW9)(https://i.postimg.cc/vBWsj8rP/08-14-1919-After-a-Raid-Yr-Adsain-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/34JV0Tbp)
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Eyes in the Sky
(from the Herald, 15 August 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/HkHCBgqW/08-15-1914-War-Balloon-Follow-Army.png) (https://postimg.cc/CzvtxWM9)
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Injured Elephant
I can't tell for sure but that looks to me to be a Martinsyde G.100 Elephant. A copy of this original photograph exists in an album from Sergeant Francis John Bilton, Canterbury Mounted Rifles, presumable taken during his time in Egypt, Malta and Sinai & Palestine. It is held in the collection of the National Army Museum of New Zealand.
(from the Auckland Daily News, 16 August 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Nfr4spQW/08-16-1917-Plane-in-Palestinve-Auckland-Weekly-News.webp) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MZ1Lt6Qc/35688-max.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Raid on Russia
This report from from Eastern Front mentions a naval air attack off the Courland coast, which is presently part of Latvia. Anyone know which aerodrome was targeted?
(from the Martinsburg Evening Journal, 17 August 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/tgZj53ZK/08-17-1917-Russian-Aerodrome-Bombarded-Martinsburg-W-Va-evening-journal-1.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Sammy's Seaplane
Here's a photo story depicting what looks to be a Model F flying boat by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. Though this design had already been in production for five years at the time of publication, it remained in production at least until 1918. Over 150 examples were built.
(from The Mirror, 18 August 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kjy1J7t9/08-18-1917-Uncle-Sam-in-the-Air-The-Mirror-Sydney.png) (https://postimg.cc/34nrwvSp)
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Snippets
This excerpt from a full-page photo story on war activities purportedly shows the 'testing of a captured airplane' (upper left) and, at right, British General Jan Smuts atop an armoured car in East Africa. I believe that's a Rolls Royce.
(from the Weekly Times, 19 August 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/wTCwhjSQ/08-19-1916-Testing-Captured-Plane-Weekly-Times-Melbourne.png) (https://postimg.cc/w7k5zgx1)
Here's a look back at David Wilson's review of the Copper State Lanchester armoured car: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=9750.msg178050#msg178050
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Rush Hour
D.H.4's in action!
(from the Perth Western Mail, 20 August 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/rmtwTFby/08-20-1918-Daylight-Raid-Perth-Western-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/sQsr9ysb)
Check our forum member Early Bird Fan's build of the classic 1/72nd-scale Airfix DH4: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12795.msg238545#msg238545
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Australia's 'First Air War Casualty'
Daylight had yet to arrive when their Caudron took wing from it's makeshift air base at newly occupied Nasiriyeh. They were En route to Basra when engine trouble caused them to land in hostile terrain. While making repairs they were set upon by a band of Bedouin. Armed only with pistols, the two Australian airmen fled for five miles in a running gunfight until Lieutenant W Burn, wounded, could not continue. The pilot, Lieutenant George Pinnock Merz, who was also a medic, chose to stay by his fellow airman's side. They were never seen again, though their troublesome Caudron, now shredded by knives, was salvaged.
" ‘The loss of Burn and Merz was a severe blow. Both were capable pilots, and, as a medical man, Merz had rendered conspicuous service in the understaffed hospital at Nasiriyeh on the night before his last flight.’ The service of both officers is commemorated in the form of the annual rugby match between the RNAF and the RAAF vying for the Burn-Merz Shield established in their memory in 2003. Merz is also remembered as Merz Road adjacent to the Officers’ Mess at RAAF Base Williams, Point Cook; the annual ‘Lieutenant George P Merz Memorial Prize’ awarded to the dux of the Aviation Medical Officer course at the RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine and the George Merz Memorial Lecture sponsored by the Friends of the RAAF Museum ‘dedicated to the first Australian airman to die in combat.’ He was also Mentioned in a Despatch, dated 1 January 1916 ‘for gallant and distinguished service in the Field.’" (via mhhv.org.au/)
(from the Melbourne Herald, 21 August 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/VvxZJ1zF/08-21-1915-Killed-By-Arabs-Melbourne-Herald.png) (https://postimg.cc/8fbmY2JF)(https://i.postimg.cc/G2S2W3Cz/4088144.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via awm,gov.au)
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'Mort pour la patrie'
"I wish you could have known Oliver Chadwick, as I am sure he would have appealed to you as he did to me. He was the kind of a man that it takes generations to make and then you only get them once in a thousand times.", wrote fellow airman Charles Biddle. Chadwick was one of the many American Ivy-Leaguers who volunteered to fly before America entered the war. He learned to fly stateside in 1916 and volunteered for the French Foreign Legion in January 1917 and was ultimately assigned to Escadille 73 of Groupe de Combat 12.
"After some practice flights on SPAD aeroplanes, Oliver took part in patrol flights and was seen to be skilled as a pilot.... On August 14, 1917, he went out on a patrol with other planes from his group. Seeing one of his group being closely followed by a German fighter, Oliver broke off from his patrol to help, but he was shot from behind by other German fighters. One of the German planes was flown by the Ace Wilhelm (Willi) Reinhard, who later confirmed a shootdown of a French SPAD aircraft north of Bikschote at 10:45 a.m. Oliver had made a fatal mistake. Since this was likely one of the first combat flights for Oliver, it is believed he would have been charged by his superiors to follow the patrol and learn the pattern of fighting before going off on his own. But it appears that he made the wrong decision, leaving the patrol to combat the German fighter and following his instinct to help a British Sopwith aircraft in great danger. The Germans coming from behind were all good pilots, very skillful in aviation maneuvers.
Oliver's plane fell an estimated 6,000 feet and crashed... between the lines, closer to the German side, about 25 miles west of Dunkirk. Reports said that both French and German troops tried to reach the wreckage after the August 14 crash... two days later, the French attacked to the south of the brook St. Jansbeek and regained the area of the Ferme Carnot. Charles Biddle found the wreckage of Oliver's plane, No. 1429, and the body of a German soldier, but Oliver was gone. It is believed that the Germans moved Oliver's body during the night of August 14, searched his clothing for official papers, and buried him near the place of the crash but on the north side of the brook, about one kilometer north of Bikschote. '...the whole escadrille went up behind the lines to arrange the graves of the two Frenchmen. I was glad to go and also glad of the opportunity at last to look personally for some trace of Oliver. When we arrived at what the captain thought was the grave of Jolivet, lying scattered about it were the fragments of a shattered plane. I at once searched for a number, and soon found what I was looking for, 1429, almost obliterated by the rains of the past three months. That was the number of Oliver's machine, and in the midst of the wreckage was a rough grave; at its head a wooden cross that someone had made by nailing two pieces of board together, and on the cross written with an indelible pencil, "Ici repose un aviateur inconnu." (Here lies an unknown aviator). All around the grave were a mass of shell-holes filled with water and the other decorations of a modern battlefield.... A flat, low country torn almost beyond recognition by the shells; here and there the dead shattered trees sticking up from the mud and water; occasionally a dead horse, and everywhere quantities of tangled barbed wire and cast-off material.'" (via rootsweb.com)
(from the Richmond Virginian, 22 August 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/wvVj1DTd/08-22-1917-American-Airman-Missing-Richmond-Virginian.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/wv4NZKKP/download.png) (https://postimg.cc/hzxhQ5tb)
(image via loc.gov)
Reinhard's death headlined here back in July 2022: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg246208#msg246208
Read more on Oliver Moulton Chadwick here: https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~boyerlinks/genealogy/parker_long/chadwick.html
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Neue Albatros
Here's what looks to be an Albatross C.III in allied hands being inspected by French high command. A vintage postcard of this scene is currently for sale on eBay for $149.99 (knocking that final penny off is real salesmanship). In the same month the report was published on this two-seater entering captivity, the legendary Albatross D.III fighter was taking flight for the first time.
(from the Illustrated War News, 23 August 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/4d2XJmMw/08-23-1916-Captured-Albatros-Illustrated-War-News.png) (https://postimg.cc/phjwCXPn)
(https://i.postimg.cc/zvtmC65j/s-l960-copy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Unconventional War
Here's an evocative illustration of the early-war Zeppelin raid on Antwerp.
(from the the War Illustrated Album Deluxe, 24 August 1915)
(https://i.postimg.cc/2yPb5nV4/08-24-1914-00-00-1915-zepps-over-antwerp-The-War-Illustrated-Album-Deluxe-published.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4HQNL7vd)
The results of this raid also headlined hear last September: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg259074#msg259074
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Great Escape
Turns out the old 'fake mustache' trick really can work!
(respectively from the Cambria Daily Leader and the Sydney Mail, 25 August 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/vBvjtvWv/08-25-1915-False-Beard-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/jwLZsP3W)(https://i.postimg.cc/HxQ3WTYx/08-25-1915-Allies-Plan-Raid-Sydney-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/WF10XLJL)
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Big French Raid
(from the Washington Times, 26 August 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/jjpdrNBn/08-26-1915-French-Flock-Washington-Times.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Two Against Ten
(from the Cambria Daily News, 27 August 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/K4X5WMKN/08-27-1918-Two-Aginst-Ten-Cambria-Daily-Leader-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/4H5t7nQ7)(https://i.postimg.cc/SNC0xLGm/08-27-1918-Two-Aginst-Ten-Cambria-Daily-Leader-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/VdfZ7CTh)
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Breguet et Bressonneau
Though the newsprint is poor, I love the composition and perspective of this scene from 1916.
(from the Queenslander, 28 August 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/sxxn4GDm/08-28-1918-Breguet-on-Base-QAueenslander.png) (https://postimg.cc/PvGztxDv)
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Gotha Gander
Today we're treated to an interior cutaway of one of Imperial Germany's most dreaded aircraft.
(from the Illustrated War news, 29 August 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/sfL7FJhJ/08-29-1917-Gotha-Cockpit.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SjWJCCVX)
Here's a look back at forum member Jeroenveen1's 1/32-scale Gotha by Wingnut Wings: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=1885.msg30806#msg30806
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Great War Big Boy
Though not the biggest British aerial bomb developed during the WW1, the 1650lb SN was the heaviest to be used operationally. As most of you know, the 'SN' was made specifically for raids on German industrial centers; particularly the destruction of the Essen Munitions Works. Hence the code 'SN'! The only machines capably of deploying this heavy ordnance were the Handley Page Types 'O' and 'V'.
(from the Barrier Miner, 30 August 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/VkhVdh5H/08-30-1919-1650-SN-Bomb-Barrier-Miner.png) (https://postimg.cc/18pHdJGp)(https://i.postimg.cc/sDRpjCyg/Bomb-1650lb-1-32-v7.png) (https://postimg.cc/PN2LycPg)
Here's an updated version of a 3D rendering I created a little while back.
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Strafing a Spotter
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 31 August 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/wTs5NXr6/08-31-1916-Strafing-a-Spotter-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfc7Wdgw)
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Tech Dissected
The flaming Gotha W.D.7 seaplane that headlined here on July 7 (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.msg267180#msg267180), reappears today in this engineering publication. Obviously its torched remains were salvaged and inspected by the French then shared with the allies.
(from Aviation and Aeronautical Engineering, 1 September 1916)
(https://i.postimg.cc/CKvgHpPr/09-01-1916-aviation-and-aeronautical-engineering-content-6-hyfrocontent-6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DWbHnHK1)
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Dying Observer Guides Blind Pilot
(from the Herald of Wales 2 September 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/6qBRnR8N/09-02-1915-Blind-Desire-Herald-of-Wales-and-Monmouthshire-Recorder.png) (https://postimg.cc/njwCtXKd)
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Future US President Almost Killed in Air Raid
"During the winter of 1916 I received word that the King of the Belgians would like to see me the next time I came to France. One day I crossed to Boulogne, having arranged to motor up to the Belgian headquarters the next morning. About midnight the Germans decided to make an air attack on Boulogne Harbor. The one little hotel still open to civilians was inconveniently close to their objective. I got out of bed and from the window was watching the searchlight streamers, listening to the drone of planes and the occasional explosions, when suddenly the window was smashed in and I received my only wound of the war. It was only a cut on the arm from flying glass. I got no wound stripe.
Then a cockney English non-commissioned officer pounded on the doors yelling for everybody to "go to the bisement, go to the bisement." I wrapped a towel around my arm and groped my way in the dark down to the lobby. Under the light of a single candle our cockney was now on a chair yelling, "Into the bisement. Women and children foist. Women, children foist!" A crowd of terrorized women and children were jamming the head of a narrow staircase. The wavering light made an agonizing flash of an inferno such as only Durer could depict. As sound accompaniment to the nightmarish scene came another crash in the streets, a scream from some child, another yell from the cockney, "Women foist, women foist!" There wasn't a man within yards of the staircase. A Frenchman standing next to me said calmly, "Shall we go over and kick him to death?" I felt like that too but instead went back to bed." (The Memoirs of Herbert Hoover, 1951)
(from the Topeka State Journal, 3 September 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/sxK7ZTz5/09-03-1918-Hoover-Bombed-Topeka-state-journal.png) (https://postimages.org/)
"Hoover led the American Relief Administration, which provided food to the starving millions in Central and Eastern Europe, especially Russia. Hoover's chief goal as food czar was to provide supplies to the Allied Powers, but he also sought to stabilize domestic prices and to prevent domestic shortages. Under the broad powers granted by the Food and Fuel Control Act, the Food Administration supervised food production throughout the United States, and the administration made use of its authority to buy, import, store, and sell food. Determined to avoid rationing, Hoover established set days for people to avoid eating specified foods and save them for soldiers' rations: meatless Mondays, wheatless Wednesdays, and "when in doubt, eat potatoes". These policies were dubbed "Hooverizing" by government publicists, in spite of Hoover's continual orders that publicity should not mention him by name. The Food Administration shipped 23 million metric tons of food to the Allied Powers, preventing their collapse and earning Hoover great acclaim". He served one term as the 31st president of the United States from 1929 to 1933, being defeated by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
(https://i.postimg.cc/fy24ghZy/715u-IBTty-SL-SL1500.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/T5DHpFKv)(https://i.postimg.cc/rmZgBydB/save-a-loaf-a-week-frederic-g-cooper-c-1917.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZB3r3SxH)
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Kleiner Vorrat
Can't quite tell from this grainy image exactly what type of bombs are piled up here but I'm guessing they're variants produced by Sprengstoff A.G. Carbonit, based in Hamburg. Maybe 3.5kg? Here's a recent 3D rendering I've made of a similar early-war 'fall projectile', sans fuse.
(from the Brisbane Telegraph, 5 September 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/fRJF4tpc/09-05-1915-German-Bomns-Brisbane-Telegraph.png) (https://postimg.cc/k2PwK4nG)(https://i.postimg.cc/Qx2NVT5b/Bomba-para-aeronave-32-v4a.png) (https://postimg.cc/Wh7cHt5F)
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First Flights
(from the Sydney Mail 7 September 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/T1tygrj3/09-06-1916-Students-First-Flight-Sydney-Mail-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/xNbTSNFw)(https://i.postimg.cc/QC89F6Tz/09-06-1916-Students-First-Flight-Sydney-Mail-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/N9nfVkb8)
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The Cuffley 'Zeppelin'
The Luftschiffbau Schütte-Lanz SL 11 dirigible was the first German airship to be shot down while bombing England. Based at Spich and commanded by Hauptmann Wilhelm Schramm, it was famously intercepted by Lt. William Leefe Robinson, piloting a Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2C, on the evening of 2/3 September. "I flew about 800 feet below it from bow to stem and distributed one drum among it (alternate New Brock and Pomeroy). It seemed to have no effect; I therefore moved to one side and gave them another drum along the side - also without effect. I then got behind it and by this time I was very close - 500 feet or less below, and concentrated one drum on one part (underneath rear). I was then at a height of 11,500 feet when attacking the Zeppelin. I had hardly finished the drum before I saw the part fired at, glow. In a few seconds the whole rear part was blazing. When the third drum was fired, there were no searchlights on the Zeppelin, and no anti-aircraft was firing."
(from the Illustrated War News, 7 September 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/C5LWtz1R/09-07-1916-Cuffley-Zeppelin-Illustrated-War-News-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/MMNPfZ1w)(https://i.postimg.cc/PqjV9PVd/09-07-1916-Cuffley-Zeppelin-Illustrated-War-News-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/3ktZDJHq)
Robinson's deed also headlined here back in September 2023
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'Unbroken Glory'
Flight Lieutenant Charles Herbert Collet DSO earned his Aviator's Certificate (No. 666) in October 1913, and is credited with being the first naval officer to loop-the-loop. Soon after war's outbreak, Collet, flying a Sopwith D.1 tractor armed with 20lb Hale Bombs, participated in Britain's first coordinated air raid - the 200-mile attack the Zeppelin sheds at Düsseldorf and Cologne. Early in 1915 he was transferred with Royal Naval Air Service to the Aegean theatre.
"The land planes of No.3 Squadron in which Collet served, were commanded by Wing Commander E.L. Gerrard, the first Flying Marine. From dawn to dusk they were continuously over the coast in the area of the Helles landings. Later the squadron moved to a small airfield on Imbros which ended on the edge of a cliff. On 19 August Collet was taking off when his engine failed. As he turned to regain the airfield he was caught in an up - draft, crashed and his machine caught fire. (via web.archive.org).
""There was always an undercurrent on the cliffs you had to watch. He hit this undercurrent and instead of going forward he turned and came back, lost flying speed and crashed. George saw it coming and he was in the seat under the engine. On these BE2c if they hit the ground the engine dropped on top of you. When he saw they were crashing he got half way out and it threw him, ooh 50 yards away - compound fractures of both legs but he got no burns. There was Collet trapped in this damned machine. In between where he came down and where we were there was a ravine about 70 feet deep. We had to go down it and up the side a difficult thing to do. When we got to the other side we saw it was on fire and there was Collet trapped in this damned machine. We tried to get him out but we couldn't; we got our hands and faces scarred. This chap Mick Keogh saw what had happened and he had picked up a big black tarpaulin and he wrapped that round himself and went in and pulled him out. He got the Albert Medal for that. But Collett was so badly burned when you'd catch hold of him, you got handfuls of flesh. He was still alive, he said to the doctor, "Put me out, put me out!" We buried him and put his propeller up on the hill there."" (via gallipoli-association.org)
(from the Haverfordwest and Milford Haven Telegraph, 8 September 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/3wZGZVLj/09-08-1915-Collet-Killed-Haverfordwest-and-Milford-Haven-Telegraph-and-General.png) (https://postimg.cc/KKR4Gqh4) (https://i.postimg.cc/nL5dj7f7/knatchbull-m-capt-the-hon-collection-q44296-05e6e0-640.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image: Collett seated at left, July 1915; from the Knatchbull M (Capt the Hon) Collection via garystockbridge617.getarchive.net)
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First Ace Falls
Pioneer pilot Adolphe Célestin Pégoud's aerial feats remain legendary. Some were outlined here last February (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg262815#msg262815). Pégoud earned his wings in March 1913, became a test pilot for Bleriot, and was also a flight instructor before the Great War. He then joined France's Aéronautique Militaire. In less than one month following his first aerial victory, Pégoud became 'the first pilot to achieve ace status of any sort'. By the end of August 1915, with six 'kills' to his credit, he was flying his Morane-Saulnier when he encountered his former flight pupil, Unteroffizier Otto Kandulski in the clouds. Pégoud never returned home. Kandulski was likewise killed in combat just two weeks later.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 9 September 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Hs4Dthx3/09-09-1915-Pegoud-Dead-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Priceless Protection
DaVinci's Mona Lisa, which was stolen in 1911 and had only been returned to the Louvre seven months prior France's declaration of war, is going under wraps along with countless other treasures in anticipation of the air raids to come. The first air raid on Paris came just ten days earlier when a single German plane dropped three bombs - "one on the Rue des Récollets, one on the Quai de Valmy and the third on the Rue des Vinaigriers; the last bomb killed an elderly woman and wounded three persons. City authorities did not allow the casualties to be mentioned in the press. Another plane appeared on August 31 to drop a message with the claim that the Germans had defeated the French army at Saint-Quentin, and a third plane appeared on September 1, this time to drop more bombs that killed one person and injured sixteen. These casualties were also concealed from the public" (via wikipedia).
(from the Atlanta Georgian, 10 September 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/bv61dNGB/09-10-1914-Louvre-Protected-Atlanta-Georgian.png) (https://postimg.cc/bGtZBP9x)(https://i.postimg.cc/HkvLyJ2X/le-louvre-bombardements-paris-1918.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QF5sLdvd)
(image via gallica.bnd.fr)
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Over-Accessorized?
I'd love to see an image of this apparently bedazzled airplane that was brought down near France's northern coast relatively early in the war when the belligerent nations were standardizing their aircraft insignia. Anyone know what type of machine this might have been?
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 11 September 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/W4ZR35Nq/09-11-1915-Extra-Flair-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Pfalz A.II ?
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… with a Garuda propellor.
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Pfalz A.II ?
Hey, could be! This one has a few extras.
(https://i.postimg.cc/MpjTTjN9/download.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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"Everybody's Doin' It"
Like the title of Irving Berlin's hit ragtime song, the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company jumped on the triplane craze of 1917 with a number of concepts, including their Model FL. Evidently only this one example was built. "...a good example of Curtiss innovation - the mixing of major components of two existing models to form a new one. A set of stock Model L wings on the hull and powerplant of the Model F flying-boat resulted in the entirely logical designation of FL for the single experimental model produced in 1917. It was owned by the American Trans-Oceanic Corp and was advertized for sale in September 1919 at $6,000." (P.Bowers, Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947, Putnam)
(from the Sydney Mail, 12 September 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/kgZTQLjn/09-12-1917-Curtiss-Triplane-Sydney-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/XrfK31Sh)
(https://i.postimg.cc/26CQFsKJ/s-l1600.webp) (https://postimg.cc/jWknRFKQ)
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Fatal R.E. & Fee
Tough times this Tuesday on the British home front for pilots of two Royal Aircraft Factory Machines.
First in the news is the demise of Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.7 No. 2199, which crashed due to an in-flight wing failure over Aldershot. Test pilot Geoffrey Launcett Railton and RAF draughtsman Frederick Williams were killed. "Something was seen to go wrong with the right wing, the machine spiralled and then corkscrewed to the ground. Evidence was given that the machine had flown for 36 hours previously and was then all right. It was thought that the accident was due to the failure of a steel fitting, supporting the outer end of the top right hand wing. There was a flaw, which could not be detected from the outside. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned". (via asn.flightsafety.org)
The second story pertains to the loss of the newly introduced F.E.8 No.6395, of 41 Squadron, RFC, Gosport; piloted by Oliver Hugh Ormrod, who had only transferred to the Royal Flying Corps four months prior, had recently 'earned his wings', and was set to depart to France. "In an inquest on September 13th relative to the fatal accident, on the previous day, to Captain Oliver H. Ormrod, R.F.C., it was stated that the machine rose with one wing down, presumably through insufficient flying speed, and at a height of 40 feet, the machine side-slipped and made a nosedive to the ground, Captain Ormrod's skull being fractured. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned". (via asn.flightsafety.org)
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 13 September 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/sg03pQKh/09-13-1916-Three-Airmen-Killed-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/HrXGmLqY)(https://i.postimg.cc/HskxXgHF/Bangor-Oliver-Hugh-Ormrod-002-e1388921499702.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Check out forum member IanB's brilliant 1/72nd-scale vacform F.E.2b by Scaleplanes: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11763.msg219414#msg219414
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'Teuton' Improvements
Here's a fairly in-depth article on the structure and technological status of the German Luftstreitkräfte around the arrival of American Forces to the Western Front.
(from the Ocala Evening Star, 14 September 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/qMwGnkpf/09-14-1917-Teuton-Improvements-Ocala-Evening-Star-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/9r4THH41)(https://i.postimg.cc/VkHBGDSD/09-14-1917-Teuton-Improvements-Ocala-Evening-Star-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/K1BM47DM)(https://i.postimg.cc/mrHMdRWg/09-14-1917-Teuton-Improvements-Ocala-Evening-Star-3.png) (https://postimg.cc/1gyftkzk)
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Champion at Rest
"This is ever so annoying", wrote the British Empire's top ace to his wife after he received orders to leave the western front. The government had grown increasingly concerned about the effect his death might have on public morale, so William Avery Bishop was to be sent home by noon on 19 June 1918. That morning, whether out of 'annoyance' or for one last hurrah, Billy Bishop took to the air and shot down five enemy planes in just fifteen minutes - earning him 'ace in a day' status on what would prove to be his final combat mission. What might have happened had Bishop remained in France? Perhaps he might have surpassed Richtofen's record; perhaps he would have fallen in action? Bishop continued to serve into the Second World War and was ultimately promoted to air vice-marshal in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
(from the Daily Ardmoreite, 15 September 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/mD5H3tRV/09-15-1918-Bishop-on-Leave-Saily-Ardmoreite-1.png)(https://i.postimg.cc/MHfj9qpw/09-15-1918-Bishop-on-Leave-Saily-Ardmoreite-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/tZFJpRsV)
Fun fact: only fifteen Great-War pilots achieved 'ace in a day' status. Two accomplished this feat twice!
Check out forum member Carpo's take on the Billy Bishop figure by Model Cellar: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=1792.msg29226#msg29226
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Königsberg Surveillant
This photo spotlight attributes a Short Type 81 'Folder' (serial #122) to have flown reconnaissance during the Battle of Rufiji Delta from October 1914–July 1915. The story rather enthusiastically implies that this airplane was perhaps more impactful than it likely actually was. "The British made several attempts to sink Königsberg including one to slip a shallow-draught torpedo boat (with escorts) within range, an operation easily repulsed by the force in the delta. A blockship, the Newbridge, was sunk by the British across one of the delta mouths to prevent her escape; however, it was soon realized that Königsberg could still escape through one of the delta's other channels. Dummy mines were laid in some of these alternatives, but they were considered a doubtful deterrent. A civilian pilot named Cutler was hired to bring his Curtiss seaplane for reconnaissance; his plane was shot down, although the presence of the elusive cruiser was verified. A pair of Royal Naval Air Service Sopwith seaplanes were brought up with the intention of scouting and even bombing the ship, but they soon fell apart in the tropical conditions. A trio of Short seaplanes fared a little better, managing to take photographs of the ship before they were grounded by the glue-melting tropical heat and German fire." (via wikipedia)
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 16 September 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/C18hps18/09-16-1915-Short-v-Konigsberg-Auckland-Weekly-News-copy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The aforementioned Cutler and his crippled Curtiss headlined here last January: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg262200#msg262200
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Mining the Air
Here's an evocative interpretation of how to defend one's airspace published when the war was just still weeks old. Barrage balloon aprons were indeed experimented with by the British even after the war.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 17 September 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/xC2zbZHt/09-17-1914-Mining-the-Air-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/vmbcXVqv/68429832-495785077838546-6166750567998685184-n.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bZVywsjG)
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Shattered Foes
Two takes make today's news on a dogfight between a Belgian Nieuport and German two-seat Rumpler.
(respectively from the Hawaiian Gazette and the Tulsa Daily World, 18 September 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/SR30gVnj/09-18-1917-Three-Mile-High-Death-Duel-Hawaiian-Gazette.png) (https://postimg.cc/bSxFJxHj)(https://i.postimg.cc/Bvm1X18M/09-18-1917-Belgian-Tricks-Tulsa-Daily-World.png) (https://postimg.cc/Z9yqQnxd)
Check out forum member drdave's amazing diorama of a crumpled Rumpler: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=8016.msg149021#msg149021
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Seaplanes vs. Seaplanes
Plenty action all along the Adriatic coast this month.
(from the Hawaiian Gazette, 19 September 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/6Q4GQtDS/09-19-1916-Austrian-Seaplane-Bases-Hawaiian-Gazette.png) (https://postimg.cc/FfmKW5Fg)
Here's an example of an Italian seaplane by forum member Alexis: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=3660.msg63339#msg63339
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Seaplane vs. Shrimper?
It's a double-header of seaplane action this week... with today's battle occurring off England's East Coast. This time a low-flying aircraft of unknown type loses in a direct mashup with the mast of an anonymous shrimp boat.
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 20 September 1918)
(https://i.postimg.cc/8PCqJLbs/09-20-1918-Seaplane-v-Shrimper-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/w3SWnyZd)
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Danger Without Thrills
"Balloon Busting' is commonly recalled in history books as dangerous business. Airmen braved dense ground fire to attack these well-defended observation stations. Today's article empathizes with the largely unsung observers who risked their lives as targets by climbing into the air in these highly flammable hydrogen-filled 'gasbags'. The last paragraph succinctly describes the balloonists' ratio of risk and reward in contrast to aviators. The image below shows one such balloon ironically rising above a makeshift cemetery.
(from the Observer & Pensacola Journal, 21 September 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/bwS2WY4Y/09-21-1918-Balloon-Observer-Pensacola-Journal.png) (https://postimg.cc/87D5rG1x)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ncB19kcG/observation-balloon-ascends.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via sos.oregon.gov)
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Great Russian Raid
"The German seaplane base on Lake Angern posed a threat not only to the aviation presence on Runo Island but also to the passage of Russian naval vessels in the gulf.... On September 4, 1916 (N.S.), four Il’ia Muromets aircraft left the Zegevol’d Aerodrome near Pskov under the command of Lieutenant Georgii I. Lavrov. The detachment flew to Lake Angern and dropped seventy-three bombs on the German station, which housed seventeen seaplanes. Observers on the Russian aircraft confirmed the destruction and fires that consumed aircraft, hangars, and various structures. Multiple machine guns on the four reconnaissance-bombers suppressed enemy antiaircraft fire from the ground. As the Russians headed back to their aerodrome, they noted that columns of smoke were rising where the German seaplane station had been. The four large planes suffered no damage and returned safely from their mission to Zegevol’d." (via weaponsandwarfare.com)
(from the Carmarthen Journal, 22 September 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/pVkFX0Kn/09-22-1916-Russian-Raid-Carmarthen-Journal.png) (https://postimg.cc/G982Xx7c)(https://i.postimg.cc/yNJMWrJ6/0001im1a.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image: via imperialairpowerrussia.blogspot.com)
Here's a sketch rendering of an Oranosvsky-type bomb that would have equipped the Ilya Murmomets, which I've been tinkering with. Colors are speculative.
(https://i.postimg.cc/gjSJmTXy/ORM-Oranovsky-FAB-2-32-v14.png) (https://postimg.cc/n9mZ1T1M)
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Hand-Picked Men
The United States joined the Great War in April 1917, with the first soldiers having arrived in France just three months before today's publication. The first air unit to arrive was the 1st Aero Squadron, commanded by recently promoted Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Royce, on September 1917. This unit remains in operation today as the USAF 1st Reconnaissance Squadron.
(from Popular Science, September 1917).
(https://i.postimg.cc/dVT8Fjc7/09-00-1917-Hand-Picked-Men-Popular-Science.png) (https://postimg.cc/VJmSBM61)(https://i.postimg.cc/L6f10BdN/111-SC-19035-NARA-55198092-cropped.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Tpd1Kb3D)
(image: Royce, at left, standing aside Benjamin Foulois (who headlined here last September: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg258788#msg258788), 1918; via wikipedia)
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Kampflugzeuge
I'm always searching for articles representing every nation from the Great War. Here's a survey of aerial warfare from a German-American perspective, though it's a bit difficult to read. One of the images depicts the British 10lb. Hale's bomb; which was pretty much obsolete by the time of this publication.
(from the Deutsche Correspondent, 24 September 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/85FvyQhY/09-24-1916-Kamphfluzeuge-Der-Deutsche-Correspondent-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/N9cLMnC8)
(https://i.postimg.cc/4ySFDTMh/09-24-1916-Kamphfluzeuge-Der-Deutsche-Correspondent-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/GTvQD6bc)
Here's a group of 10lb. Hale's that I designed and printed in 1/32 scale. Haven't quite finished painting them.
(https://i.postimg.cc/7h8ph4X8/10lb-hale.png) (https://postimg.cc/CB7vrWWm)
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Mechanics of War
These Austrians are at alert with this aircraft-detection system.
(from the Sydney Mail, 25 September 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/gjCdX7nx/09-25-1918-Mechanics-of-War-Sydney-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/hQ1NNp8n)(https://i.postimg.cc/yNDHjBcD/Dw-N14-J1-X4-AA1-Np6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SXb3QBZ4)
(image: 'Headlights with hearing device for pilots', via x.com
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Aftermath of the Attack
Lots of aerial action in today's recollection of Britain's ambitious if not wholly successful raid on on Zeebrugge.
"The plan needed a rare combination of wind, tide and weather; to obtain surprise the monitors would need to be in position before dawn. Mist and low cloud would make artillery observation from an aircraft impossible and the wind would have to be blowing from a narrow range of bearings or the smoke screen would be carried over the ships and out to sea, exposing them to view from the shore. The bombardment force sailed for Zeebrugge three times but changes in the weather forced a return to England each time. On 11 May, Bacon ordered another attempt for the next day... The bombardment ships had taken position, the Motor Launches had formed a line, ready to generate the smokescreen and the escorts formed a square around the monitors. Five destroyers zigzagged around the flotilla as a screen against U-boats, the minesweepers began operating around the monitors and the covering force cruised in the distance, ready to intercept a German destroyer sortie.
Two Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) artillery-observation aircraft from Dunkirk, which had taken off at 2:00 a.m., had to wait from 3:00 a.m. over Zeebrugge for almost two hours. The aircraft were met by seven Sopwith Pups from 4 (Naval) Squadron RNAS, which patrolled the coast from 5:45 a.m. as six Sopwith Triplanes of 10 (Naval) Squadron RNAS flew over the fleet. One of the artillery-observation aircraft had engine trouble and force-landed in the Netherlands; the other ran short of petrol. Firing from the monitors was opened just after 5:00 a.m. and at first fell short; many of the shells failed to explode, which left the aircraft unable to signal the fall of shot. The accuracy of the bombardment improved soon after; Marshal Soult hit the target with its twelfth shell and Erebus with its twenty-sixth. Terror was most hampered by the loss of one of the aircraft and by dud shells; only forty-five of the 250 shells fired were reported and the observation aircraft had to return because of fuel shortage at 5:30 a.m., leaving the last half-hour of the bombardment reliant on estimated corrections of aim. Two relieving aircraft also had engine trouble and failed to arrive.
In the first hour... German retaliation was limited to anti-aircraft fire and attempts to jam the wireless of the artillery-observation aircraft. When the Pups from 4 (Naval) Squadron arrived, twice their number of German Albatros fighters engaged them and some of the aircraft from over the fleet, which joined in the dogfight. The British claimed five German aircraft shot down and the fleet was able to complete the bombardment. A third patrol later shot down a German seaplane into Ostend harbour and lost one fighter. At 6:00 a.m. the ships weighed anchor, just as the Kaiser Wilhelm battery opened fire. Two seaplanes which attempted to approach the fleet were driven off by British fighter seaplanes, which escorted the fleet home. Bacon returned with the impression that the bombardment had succeeded but aerial photographs taken the following week revealed that about fifteen shells had landed within a few yards of the lock gates on the western side and four shells had fallen just as close on the eastern side. The basin north of the locks had been hit and some damage caused to the docks but Zeebrugge remained open to German destroyers and U-boats. The Admiralty concluded that had the monitors been ready to fire as soon as the observer in the artillery-observation aircraft signaled or if the shoot had been reported throughout, the lock gates would have been hit." (via wikipedia)
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 26 September 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/26PRdjTd/09-26-1918-Zeebrugge-Blocked-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/ydtxJS57/zeebrugge-raid-8636ab4b-947d-406f-958a-7220d91f4c6-resize-750.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Berlin Bounty
Lamenting the loss of fellow Americans aboard the Lusitania, one exasperated executive is offering a Liberty Bond bonus to the first U.S. airman to bomb Berlin. I don't think this happened during the Great War, though the next generation of yankee flyers dished it out pretty generously.
(from the Bendigo Advertiser, 27 September 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/brpFF1jT/09-27-1917-Bomb-Bonus-Bendigo-Advertiser.png) (https://postimg.cc/jw3XDw2w)
Just for the fun of it, today you can spin your turrets and shake your engines to Glenn Miller's less-remembered WWII masterpiece 'Pistol Packin' Mama', which swings the story of a bombing raid on Berling while riffing off a country-music composition by Al Dexter. After an atmospheric orchestral interlude the action starts at around the 2-minute mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEZqOUcwC28
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Disastrous "Air Holes"
A letter home from an Australian Airmen stationed in Palestine reports on the recurring danger of vertical drafts, as evidenced in this fallen Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2e.
(from the Adelaide Chronicle, 28 September 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/FRbn73zS/09-28-1918-Coming-ro-Grief-Adelaide-Chronicle.png) (https://postimg.cc/YG9xP412)
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Another Russian Raid
One Week after our last headline from the Eastern Front we have a report of another Russian strategic incursion against German targets. Perhaps it is not as successful as this story suggests. "In order to distract the Germans in the north from a planned Russian offensive, the EVK decided to put on a show of force by sponsoring a major air attack against the headquarters of a German reserve division near the town of Boruna, just below the Russian offensive. The attacking force comprised four Il’ia Muromets planes and sixteen Morane-Saulnier French fighters, built by the Russian Dukh Company. The planes took off separately on September 25, 1916 (N.S.). Unfortunately, both the plans and their execution failed. The fighters missed linking up with the bombers and three of the larger aircraft never reached the target. One of the three Il’ia Muromets planes encountered German fighters supplied with explosive ordnance. An intercepted radio message later revealed that the Germans had lost three of their planes in the air battle; however, enemy bullets exploded one of the Russian bombers’ fuel tanks. The plane crashed, killing the entire crew, including its commander, Lieutenant Dimitrii K. Makhsheiev. Only the IM Kievskii completed the mission in triumph; overall, the show of airpower miscarried miserably" (via weaponsandwarfare.com).
I believe this was the only Ilya Muromets bomber that Imperial Russia ever lost to enemy aircraft fire (this occurred on 12 September in the Julian calendar). More information on the Morane Parasol that was lost would be welcome.
(from the Evening Star, 29 September 1916)
(https://i.postimg.cc/tgttVNzp/09-29-1916-Russian-Parasol-Lost-Evening-Star.png) (https://postimg.cc/nsrQy75P)(https://i.postimg.cc/tJPc1m2D/image-65227c9da8d15ad0a75b68235f0208d7.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via www.renderosity.com)
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Albatros Lasso?
In the spirit of Dirigible-Al's recent post on old magazines' far-fetched science schemes (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14624.0), here's a sure-fire stratagem to fight your aerial foes.
(from Electrical Experimenter, September 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y2LW2kFg/09-1918-Lassoing-Aeroplanes-Electrical-Experimenter.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/6Tw3zkY5)
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Where Eagles Dare
Looks like this French Farman was the victor in this sad head-on collision.
(from the Evening Capital News, 1 October 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/XqtNkrCC/10-01-1916-Eagle-Entangled-Evening-capital-news.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Gontrode Rush
Before the end of 1914 the Germans established Gontrode aerodrome in occupied Belgium. Within a year it became an airship base kitted with a 180-meter-long hangar, nicknamed the 'Het Kot'. Eventually Gontrode would be home to Kagohl 3 / Boghol 3 and Rfa 501 for harassing Britain with Gothas and Zeppelin-Staaken 'R' planes. This made the aerodrome a natural target for enemy aircraft. One early and well-remembered raid was conducted by Captain Lanoe Hawker, of No.6 Squadron RFC, in April 1915. Today's news marks the beginning of the end of the airfield's practical use due to its increasing vulnerability.
"...beginning on 25 September Kagohl 3's aerodromes were attacked by the Allies nearly every day and night for over a week. The RFC concentrated on Gontrode dropping hundreds of darts in addition to high explosives, and on 29 September the old airship hangar was set on fire. Gontrode was raided the following evening while the Gothas were attacking England, although damaging hits were few. This steady Allied bombing forced the dispersal of the Kasten concentrated at Gontrode, and so Kasta 15 and Kasta 16 were moved to Mariakerke, causing Kasta 17 and Kasta 18 to relocate from Mariakerke to Oostakker. In addition, Stab Kagohl 3 moved from the Villa Drory, near Gontrode, to a large house owned by Countess Hemptin in Ghent itself. This left some of the R-planes of Rfa 501 still at Gontrode, where they remained until 7 March 1918, when the increased intensity of Allied raids obliged them to transfer to Scheldewindeke, which was equipped with a specially constructed concrete apron. The Germans finally vacated Gontrode in October 1918, and after the ceasefire they destroyed most of what was left, including the large hangar. In 1920 the airfield was almost completely demolished leaving only two concrete shelters, which can still be found just west of the village of Gontrode." (via airhistory.org.uk)
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 2 October 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/23pD95qn/10-02-1917-11-Tons-of-Bombs-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/y3TtksyN)(https://i.postimg.cc/DyQRgWL3/Gotha-s-1917.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bsJ6Ywmm)(https://i.postimg.cc/6Q8HDT23/006.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(images respectively via mentalfloss.com and hetvliegveldvangontrode.be)
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Star Struck
The familiar star-in-the-circle that emblazoned United States aircraft upon its entry into WWII was also its official insignia upon entering the Great War. However, the original star would be stricken by February 1918. "To avoid confusion with German cross, and for commonality with Allied air forces during World War I, the US changed its roundel to the disused Russian design. Colors were to be based on US flag but availability resulted in considerable variation in hues" (via wikipedia). The star would be reintroduced in 1919 and endured until being retired in May 1942.
(from the Sydney Mail, 3 October 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/XJZCHvW3/10-03-1917-American-Emblem-Sydney-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/tZjJ7p7m)
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"Avion-Canon"
Despite it not making a significant impact in the war, the Aéronautique Militaire's Voisin IV, with its forward-firing Hotchkiss gun, must have looked fairly intimidating when it first appeared early in the war. Some backstory:
"Captain Jean Faure... has been seconded to the Aeronautics service and assigned to the Military Aviation Laboratory. He is responsible for the manufacture of aviation projectiles (bombs, flechettes) and the development of launch devices. With the support of his superiors, he got in touch with the manufacturer Voisin so that it could install a 37 mm Hotchkiss cannon, weighing 100 kg, on its aircraft. ...the tests of the first Voisin Canon began in May 1914 at Issy-les-Moulineaux, near the Voisin factories, with the pilot Rugère. The only safety measures consisted of the presence of two orderlies at each end of the field to "recommend passers-by to move away from the targets", and simple white canvas signs placed on the ground.
On November 5, 1914, a new test was scheduled with the engineer captain Rémy , pilot ( below ). The latter knew the terrain well, quite cramped, and knew that the weight of the cannon on the front of the plane had an impact on the flight characteristics. The tragedy occurred during takeoff, at full load, when the plane hit a hangar (or a house, testimonies differ), costing the lives of the two aviators." (via historim.fr)
(respectively from the Cambria Daily Leader and Scientific American; 4/7 October 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/DZZTFp2c/10-04-1915-New-Battle-Plane-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/LXbMsk5F/10-04-07-1915-New-Developments-Scientific-American.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LYLWC1jx)
(https://i.postimg.cc/fWSxRwq6/frantz-voisin-canon-g.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via historim.fr)
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American Dreaming
Our recent headline reported that the Curtiss Aeroplane & Motor Company was caught up in the 1916 Triplane craze by adding a wing to their popular hydroplane design (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.msg269121#msg269121). Here's a bombastic broadcast about another ambitious three-wing attempt to keep up with European designs. This particular 'Zepp Chaser' could well have been one of Curtiss' 'S' series scouts. Just looking at the impractical machine-gun setup, one could assume that, despite this article's claims, the concept was doomed to failure. "In 1917, the S-3 became the first triplane in service in the United States. In 1918 and 1919, Curtiss experimented with seaplane versions of the S-3, designated S-4 and S-5. The S-6 was intended to be an improved S-3, but performance was poor and of the 12 ordered by the USASC, only 1 was delivered" (via wikipedia). Shown here us the Model S-6.
(from the Grand Forks Herald, 5 October 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Z5bqQx4h/10-05-1916-Zeppelin-Chaser-Grand-Forks-Herald.png) (https://postimg.cc/4m0Z7tY8)(https://i.postimg.cc/zvWTBScf/iouh.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Oopsies
Two unrelated reports remind us how rudimentary bombing practices among belligerents over Belgium could lean to unintended results.
(respectively from the Commonwealth, 5 October 1917; and the Omaha Daily Bee, 6 October 1914)
(https://i.postimg.cc/yY0JWxWd/10-05-1917-Friendly-Fire-Commonwealth.png) (https://postimg.cc/dLtQxq2P). (https://i.postimg.cc/SxpMG8HC/10-06-1914-Brits-Bomb-Maastricht-Omaha-Daily-Bee.png) (https://postimg.cc/fJByz3zR)
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Night Terrors
These evocative early-war cover pictorials are two among many that helped imprint internationally upon our collective culture the enduring vision of the dreaded Zeppelin lurking in the dark above amidst the clouds.
(Respectively from Aircraft and La Guerra Europea, October 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/mD0Rph1H/10-00-1914-Zeppelin-Raid-on-Antwerp-Aircraft.png) (https://postimg.cc/BLcdXSgS)(https://i.postimg.cc/5NrD4RSS/bub-giornali-guerra-la-guerra-europea-mi-jpg-b80930e69efdabc73205e8b8674b6e3d3507af25-geu-10-jp2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zVnxppMy)
This raid has headlined here back in August and in September 2023:
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.msg268607#msg268607
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg259074#msg259074
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Beauchamps et Daucourt
Deux daring Frenchman of L'escadrile 23 conduct a lengthy raid deep into German territory to bomb the Krupp works in Essen. Though their mission caused nominal damage, it was harbinger of raids to follow not just in the Great War but also WWII. Though a Nieuport is depicted in the article below, the made the journey in two Sopwith Strutters. One week previous this event was also reported in The Spectator:
"Lieutenant Daucourt, made a successful flight—two hundred and fifty miles each way—to Essen, the seat of Krupp's works, and returned safely after dropping bombs. The raid is officially recorded by the Germans, who admit that small bombs were dropped by several enemy airmen in the centre of the town, while minimizing the results—" most of them caused no damage." The French airmen, both of them already distinguished by their fine records, are to be congratulated on their daring and skill. Their exploit is a most encouraging earnest of further and more serious attacks on the heart of the German war industry".
Also noted on albidenis.free.fr: "On September 23, 1916, to test his Sopwith 1A2, Capt. Robert-de-Beauchamp dropped five bombs on the Spincourt forest. The next day, he took off at 11 a.m., followed by Lieutenant Pierre Daucourt. At 5 p.m., they returned to the field, very tired, after a 700-kilometer mission flown between 4 and 5,000 meters above sea level. The target of the two planes was the Krupp arms factories near the city of Essen. Twelve bombs were dropped. Certainly a very negligible quantity but which shows, for the time, the possibility of bombing cities far from the front."
(from Le Miroir, 8 October 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/nL5RgDQ4/10-08-1916-Nieuport-and-Zeppelin-Le-Miroir-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/KKPDg4fj)(https://i.postimg.cc/nzXzV6r8/10-08-1916-Nieuport-and-Zeppelin-Le-Miroir-2.webp) (https://postimg.cc/8JVDtXLw)
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Old-School Dogfight!
This postcard is one of several shared by forum member Jamo back in 2014 (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=3215.0). I've a soft spot for these artist depictions of early aerial encounters.
(vintage postcard dated 9 October 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/44chtZYd/10-09-1914-c3057bf7438ada08b5543f44e781827d.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Parachute Show-Off
Parachuting was still a novel pastime shortly after the Great War. This particular stunt in front ot Lady Liberty was performed by an interesting character - Thomas Orde-Lees. Orde-Lees was a veteran of Britain's Royal Navy and also Ernest Shackleton's failed Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition aboard the Endurance before the war. "On Orde-Lees' return to England, World War I was raging. By now an honorary major, Orde-Lees returned to active service with the Royal Marines on 12 November 1916. After serving on the Western Front in the Balloon Corps, Orde-Lees, with the assistance of Shackleton, secured a place in the Royal Flying Corps on 1 August 1917 where he became an enthusiastic advocate for the use of parachutes. He jumped from Tower Bridge into the River Thames to prove their effectiveness and a Parachute Committee was formed with Orde-Lees as secretary to investigate the use of parachutes for pilots. After the war, however, Orde-Lees resigned his commission on 25 April 1919 (reportedly rather than facing a Court Martial after his involvement with a parachuting course for women sponsored by the Daily Mail) and moved to Japan where he taught parachuting techniques to the Japanese Air Force. In 1922... he was one of the first non-Japanese-born men known to have climbed Mount Fuji during the winter." (via wikipedia)
(from the Alaska Daily Empire, 10 October 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/DfBLr5wS/10-10-1919-Jumps-Near-Liberty-Statue-Alaska-Daily-Empire.png) (https://postimg.cc/V50J1qMw)
(https://i.postimg.cc/kg1TT8Fc/Thomas-Orde-Lees.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VJt96Jhr)
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Posthumous Praise
Otto Parschau was already a member of Die Fliegertruppen des deutschen Kaiserreichesachieve when Germany entered the Great War. He ultimately achieved eight aerial victories until falling in combat against the Royal Flying Corps (as headlined here in July 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg257444#msg257444). "Parschau retained enough control to land his plane behind German lines. He was rushed to a field hospital but died on the operating table." (via wikipedia)
(from The Aeroplane, 11 October 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/13gCh75T/10-11-1916-Parschau-Aeroplane.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G4CJvQDJ)
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'Hurricane of Shrapnel'
This collection of dispatches from over the Western Front vividly portrays the perils of air combat during the fall of 1915.
(from the Mortlake Dispatch, 12 October 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Ghbf5m7h/10-12-1915-Serial-Cruiser-Mortlake-Dispatch-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/jCkvWtYG)(https://i.postimg.cc/3JLtfC0n/10-12-1915-Serial-Cruiser-Mortlake-Dispatch-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/8j6djvH6)(https://i.postimg.cc/3xv2jgXy/10-12-1915-Serial-Cruiser-Mortlake-Dispatch-3.png) (https://postimg.cc/3k3yY0b7)
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Big Bird
A handful of headlines recently reported on triplane developments from the second half of the war. This article's title first had me envisioning the curious Nieuport Triplane designed by Gustave Delage. But the publication date plus the claimed speed and endurance don't really align. I wonder if this mystery machine is Voisin's 'Tetra Moteur Triplan' that would evolve into their model E.28 in 1916? Similar in shape to the contemporary Siemens Shuckert R.I. Truly a rare aero!
(from the Tamworth Daily Observer, 13 October 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/sx19WbfS/10-13-1915-French-Tiplane-The-Tamworth-Daily-Observer.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/gc6dWsPt/Voisin-model-1915.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/L5SxGmSp/Voisin-Triplane-Bomber.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via wikipedia)
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'Dove of Steel'
(from the illustrated War News, 14 October 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/631g78DL/10-14-1914-Dove-of-Steel-Illustrated-War-News.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/njB0ghVC)
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Tail End
Even Google Lens was tricked into thinking this airplane carcass was some sort of oil derrick! Can anyone identify what type of machine this was?
(from the Construction and Local Government Journal of Australia, 15 October 1917)
(https://i.postimg.cc/yNN6Vmsf/10-15-1917-Towering-Inferno-Construction-and-Local-Government-Journal.png) (https://postimg.cc/G4ZnKsBY)
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Can anyone identify what type of machine this was?
Friedrichshafen FF33E. The two oblong objects are parts of the floats.
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Friedrichshafen FF33E. The two oblong objects are parts of the floats.
Brilliant! Thanks!
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Though the dreaded 'Fokker Scourge' was largely over by the fall of 1916, thanks to the arrival of newer aircraft and synchronization gear, this article suggests the allies were still facing a tough fight. Several makes are mentioned here: Caudron, Nieuport, Morane, Avro, Vickers, Martinsyde, Sopwith and Royal Aircraft Factory. As one might expect in hindsight the two types suffering the most losses were the RAF B.E.2 and F.E.2.
(from the New Britain Herald, 16 October 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y00WYsJJ/10-16-1916-Allies-Lose-74-Planes-New-Britian-Herald.png) (https://postimg.cc/rR6sLQyJ)
Here's a fond look back at a Nieuport in RFC service during the twilight of 1916, as modeled by our recently departed forumite Old Man: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=3736.msg63416#msg63416
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Forever Grounded
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 17 October 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/y8X6hP5s/10-17-1918-Propeller-graves-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(an original print of this image, titled 'Graves of airmen near Hesdin, 14 July 1918', exists in the National Army Museum, Chelsea, London.
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Flying By Instrument
With endless stories on the glory of air combat it's early to overlook how demanding a job it was just to fly an airplane in those days.
(from the Seward Gateway Friday, 19 October 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/yNGbXPLx/10-18-1918-Compass-Care-Seward-Gateway-Friday-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/1gpByph1)(https://i.postimg.cc/BbT73G4P/10-18-1918-Compass-Care-Seward-Gateway-Friday-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/vxmt7k1G)
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Wasps of War
Anyone know of any real incidents where a pilot used 'smoke balls' to 'imitate an octopus'?
(from the Perth Daily News, 20 October 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y2473qY9/10-20-1915-Gunbus-v-Albatros-Perth-Daily-Ne3s.png) (https://postimg.cc/K4yCcb9S)
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Dangerous Deperdussin
I'll always love this well-known early-war press photo pondering what was expected to be the future of aerial combat.
(from the Illustrated War News, 22 October 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/hPn1qvQ0/10-21-1914-Armed-Deperdussin-illustratedwarne1121lond-0539.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9zx7dWp4)
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Oopsies, Part 2
Paired with our recent friendly-fire headline of an aeroplane accidentally bombing their fellow troops below (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.195), here's an equally unfortunate episode with gunners on the ground downing an allied airman.
(from the Daily Telegraph, 22 October 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/nhbzW9sH/10-22-1915-Friendly-Fire-Daily-Telegraph.png) (https://postimg.cc/Cz7SB1Ht)
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Manuevering over Mudros
This grainy but interesting image looks to depict a Nieuport VI.H, which was used operationally by British and French air services.
(from the Mirror of Australia, 23 October 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/NMjVZrf5/10-23-1915-Manouevering-over-Mudros-Mirror-of-Australia.png) (https://postimg.cc/Z9XVdnNS)
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Two to the Death
Several recent articles have reported on accidental shootings or have carried themes of man vs. machine, or vs. nature. Today's news recounts a short but savage straight-up combat between American observer Paul O'Donnell of the 96th Aero Squadron and a German assailant during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. The former being mortally wounded before summoning his last life force to shoot his aerial adversary through the head with a tracer bullet. Both would be dead before returning to earth. Though the two-seater is not identified, it was almost certainly a Breguet 14B.2, which likely was part of a formation of six bombers that was reportedly set upon by ten Fokkers and Pfalz scouts. This was a bloody day over the Western Front... at least 26 airplanes were shot out of the sky... including six felled by Rene Fonck alone!
(from the Chattanooga News, 24 October 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/wxQdrf5x/10-24-1918-Dying-Aviator-Wins-Chgattanooga-News.png) (https://postimg.cc/F1zqdxnw)(https://i.postimg.cc/qvzVzpPg/55958421-bca21d32-37db-4a0d-9d34-72c2d9821a4b.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/NjShXWtD/55958421-24b71778-baaa-472a-9639-888c1fbaf244.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jDHk03Ln)
(images vie findagrave.com)
Here's a look back at forum member andonio64's 1/48 Breguet 14B.2 by Hi-Tech: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=8779.msg160821#msg160821
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Boelcke's 38th
The second of two victories claimed on the same day by this legendary airman was a Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12 (serial #6694) flown by 2nd Lt. W.T.W. Wilcox, No. 21 Squadron RFC. The incident occurred southwest of Bapaume. From a post over at the aerodrome.com: "Next it would seem Js 2 stalked a 4 strong B flight OP of 21 Sqn. These were aware of upwards of 10 HA scouts flying above them in two groups. Unfortunately 2Lt Wilcox seems to have paid no heed as he broke formation to attack two 2-seaters (Boelcke identified them as LVG's). These fired white lights and two HA came down on the BE12 of Wilcox. The two HA drove him down and he crashed in a shell hole near Warlencourt - resulting in him being thrown from the machine - whereupon he was taken pow. Even though two HA were clearly involved Boelcke took full credit. The point being that despite clearly having numbers on their side, and fighting over their own side, there was no attempt by the Js 2 pilots, on their vastly superior Albatros D's, to engage the RFC formations in a proper dog fight - but rather to pick off isolated machines."
Boelcke, who was then the leading ace of the war, would only score two more victories before his demise in action. Also mentioned in today's news is fellow Pour le Merite recipient Wilhelm Frankl, who scored his 15th victory on 22 October.
(from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 25 October 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/6p54fmCG/10-25-1916-Boelcke-s-38th-Honolulu-Star-Bulletin-1.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/4xSybNJr/10-25-1916-Boelcke-s-38th-Honolulu-Star-Bulletin-2.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/SxBqxXQN/10-25-1916-Boelcke-s-38th-Honolulu-Star-Bulletin-3.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Casualties of War
This German-language American newspaper from the state of Iowa offers their spin as to the Deutsche Luftstreitkrafte's mid-war capabilities with a tally of allied airplane types that were shot down the previous month over the Western Front. You might recall reading a similar article back on the 17th. This report includes the same dig at British Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, whose party had become increasingly out of favor for failed Dardanelles campaign. Winston Churchill had already resigned his position as First Lord of the Admiralty and Asquith would be forced out two months hence. Ironically, the Luxemburger Gazetter would also soon become a casualty of war as its opinions in support of Germany and criticisms of President Woodrow Wilson became too controversial after the U.S. joined the war in April 1917. Its final issue went to press only two months later. Loosely translated:
"On the Air War: The successes of the air campaign in September, the First World War agency reported on the 17th. The German military authorities have compiled a detailed list of all the aircraft that were either shot down or otherwise fell into German hands during the month of September. The total is 74, including 21 French and 58 British. The French included nine Caudron aircraft, eleven Nieuports and one Morane, and the British included one Nieuport, one Bristol, three Avros, seven Vickers, seven Martinsydes and one Sopwith, as well as eleven aircraft from the B.E. (Bleriot Experimental), eleven from the F.E. (Farman Experimental), two Farmans and one aircraft of unknown origin. "This list," the report adds, "is indicative of the value of Prime Minister Asquith's recent statement in the House of Commons that British aircraft had achieved complete dominion over the skies."
(from the Luxemburger Gazetter, 26 October 1916)
(https://i.postimg.cc/J0L9PfnW/10-26-1916-Air-Kreig-Luxemburger-Gazetter-1.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/mZ3xtgXZ/10-26-1916-Air-Kreig-Luxemburger-Gazetter-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/CdKr2Sp9)
For an example of what the Germans were flying to victory in September 1916, here's a look a forum member coyotemagic's Albatros D.I 390/16, flown by Otto Hohne, of Jasta 2. The future ace scored his first two combat victories in this debut design that month. One was an F.E.2b (serial #6999), the other a B.E.12... both must be included in this very list from today's news!: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=7577.msg139251#msg139251
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Drachen Dare
Here's an amazing observer's account of the strategic importance assigned to taking down enemy surveillance balloons. This particular exploit involved four attack attempts, skating through sea clouds, falling out of an airplane, and enduring a gauntlet of enemy aircraft and groundfire.
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 27 October 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/ncbyhts7/10-27-1915-Balloon-Busted-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/yWjQLtyY)
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Drag Bombers?
Hard to believe that in this later stage of the Great War such fanciful ideas were still making front-page news. This pictorial underscores America's lingering naivete when it came to the rapidly evolving techniques and engineering around aerial combat.
(from the World's News, 27 October 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Prcmr1bN/10-27-1917-Screenshot-2024-02-12-at-8-05-14-PM.png) (https://postimg.cc/vcr10gNd)
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St. Paul's Survives
The Great War was mere months old when this pictorial was published. I initially intended to share this article because I've admittedly become a bit ordnance obsessed lately in regards to scale modeling, but then I noticed the secondary theme of the story. Today's montage depicts a German bomb droppers venturing 'into the heart of London' and unwittingly suggests that St. Paul's Cathedral would make an 'admirable' target. While this foreshadows the air raid soon to come, the author could never have predicted the scale of the attacks on the heart of London again during the next conflict. Many of you will recognize this famously real image from that war: "'St Paul's Survives' is a photograph taken in London during the night air raid of 29-30 December 1940, the 114th night of the Blitz of World War II show in St Paul's Cathedral, illuminated by fires and surrounded by the smoke of burning buildings. It was taken by photographer Herbert Mason." (via wikipedia)
(from the Day Book, 29 October 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/brR5b4Gg/10-27-1914-Into-the-Heart-of-London-Day-Book.png) (https://postimg.cc/JHGKC65H)
(https://i.postimg.cc/KcgBznXK/Air-Raid-Damage-in-Britain-during-the-Second-World-War-HU36220.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/grmntL2d)
(image via wikipedia)
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Boelcke Dead
As hinted back on the 26th, Oswald Boelcke's career as the war's leading ace has come to end. A massive service in his honor was held at Cambrai cathedral (depicted in the Sanke card below).
(from the Daily Gate City and Constitution, 30 October 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/XvNHLzHQ/10-30-1916-Boelcke-Dead-Daily-Gate-City-and-Constitution.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/wMJYzrdD/boelckecam.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Boelcke's burial was also noted here last November: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg260323#msg260323
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Aero Ancestor
This mid-war spotlight depicts a pre-war Bleriot XI in action over Adelaide, Australia. I'm not 100% certain but I believe this very aircraft exists today in the Powerhouse Collection. Can anyone confirm? Details here: https://collection.powerhouse.com.au/object/288461
(from The Critic, 31 October 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/cJ5wJH4p/10-31-917-Aeroplane-Over-Adelaide-The-Critc.png) (https://postimg.cc/CZkzPw87)
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'Death Dealers'
For Handley Page fans, here's an American article on these 'bomb-dropping' 'night birds' and 'how they work'.
(from Popular Science Monthly, November 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/dV8RQvz6/11-00-1918-Bomb-Droppers-Popular-Science-Monthly-1-american.png) (https://postimg.cc/CRxnmyMn)(https://i.postimg.cc/tT1zFcrm/11-00-1918-Bomb-Droppers-Popular-Science-Monthly-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/N9cTcdv1)
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Dashed in a Deperdussin
A double dose of death is recounted in today's pre-war article on a failed flight over Oxford. Full story here: https://the-lothians.blogspot.com/2012/03/captain-patrick-hamilton-of-royal.html
(respectively from the Adelaide Register, 2 November 1912; and the Daily Mirror, 7 September 1912)):
(https://i.postimg.cc/QCctKTgf/11-02-1912-Hero-Deaths-Adelaide-Register-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/N2fYWLzX)(https://i.postimg.cc/gkqjY32J/11-02-1912-Hero-Deaths-Adelaide-Register-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/kBGqs683)(https://i.postimg.cc/jSMjfKNY/11-02-1912-Hero-Deaths-Adelaide-Register-3.png) (https://postimg.cc/QFWsL20f)(https://i.postimg.cc/cC4v2cVP/11-02-1912-09-07-1912-dailymirror.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YGZ2mQ2x)(https://i.postimg.cc/1z3YR8L6/deperdussin2small.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via the-lothians.blogspot.com)
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Aeroplane Shortage
(from the Singleton Argus, 3 November 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/FFSfCD7d/11-03-1917-Aeroplane-Shortage-Singleton-Argus-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/0r82bGGP)(https://i.postimg.cc/CKc3DzXC/11-03-1917-Aeroplane-Shortage-Singleton-Argus-2.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/FFdMdFZc/11-03-1917-Aeroplane-Shortage-Singleton-Argus-3.png) (https://postimg.cc/7b4sjkjY)(https://i.postimg.cc/P5h9RWkz/11-03-1917-Aeroplane-Shortage-Singleton-Argus-4.png) (https://postimg.cc/3dStyDNd)(https://i.postimg.cc/63D1LR0Z/11-03-1917-Aeroplane-Shortage-Singleton-Argus-5.png) (https://postimg.cc/bD9TqZ4Y)(https://i.postimg.cc/26fZQSW6/11-03-1917-Aeroplane-Shortage-Singleton-Argus-6.png) (https://postimg.cc/bG3r883c)
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Courteous Combatants
Another article underscoring the sporting reputation of Allied airmen appear above a notice that French ace Maxime Lenoir has gone missing. Lenoir's exploits headlined here last November: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg260542#msg260542. Speaking of gentlemanly behavior, he was called a "Pursuit pilot beyond compare, setting the highest example of energy and self-sacrifice. During eleven months of uninterrupted service in his Escadrille, he has had 91 successful combats, returning frequently with his plane riddled by bullets." (via wikipedia)
(from the Cambria Diy Leader, 4 November 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZnDdGFW7/11-04-1916-Sporting-War-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/wRLMJNcL)(https://i.postimg.cc/vmbHYxwG/World-War-One-Personnel-French-Aviator.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CRrVJ1K2)
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"In the Aerial Blue"
"In 1914 the Royal Navy separated the Naval Wing from the Royal Flying Corps, naming it the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). In July {Charles Rumney} Samson was appointed Officer Commanding the Eastchurch (Mobile) Squadron which was renamed No. 3 Squadron RNAS by September 1914." (via wikipedia). Here's a motley gathering of British aircraft including a Farman HF.20, Commander Samson's Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2a, an Astra-Torres airship (HMA No.3), a Sopwith D.1 three-seater, and a Short Bros. S.60 Tractor Biplane sans floats.
(from the The War Illustrated Album DeLuxe, 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y0sF9Swt/00-00-1915-warillustratedal01hammuoft-0297.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hQVvZcjY)
Here's a look back at forum member lonemodeller's remarkable scratchbuilt B.E.2a at Eastchurch in1914: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13719.0
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Captured C-Type
(from the Richmond Palladium and Sun-Telegram, 6 November 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/hvt4xVqV/11-06-1916-Study-German-Plane-Richmond-palladium-and-sun-telegram.png) (https://postimg.cc/JDSWCD0h)
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"Broke Like a Butterfly"
Two tidbits today. First is a busted B.E. in Australian hands within British-controlled Palestine. Next up is news that Naval Flight-Lieutenant Arthur Frank Brandon, another Aussie, is dead from an air accident while piloting a Sopwith Pup (serial no.N6466), which collided at 500 feet with a Sopwith Triplane (No.N5382). For those who don't know his name you might recognize another Sopwith that he flew to victory over an invading Gotha just months before (pictured below).
(from the Sydney Mail, 7 November 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/0y9m4wnJ/11-07-1917-In-Palestine-Sydney-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/N5P59LWg)(https://i.postimg.cc/DydmLnDc/Sopwith-Camel-F1-no-B3834-Wonga-Bonga.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via manstonhistory.org.uk)
Check out forum member KrzysiekK's build of 'Wonga Bonga', based on the 1/48th-scale Eduard kit: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13198.0
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Airco Action
Great profile of the D.H.2 fighter. Fourteen pilots garnered ace status flying this machine. This particular plane looks like it may be the same as one pictured in some images shared by Dave W a little while back: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12114.msg225796#msg225796
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 8 November 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/3Rwkmjx7/11-08-1917-DH2-Auckland-Weekly-News-copy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Here's a look back at a D.H.2 by fellow forumite Odysseus: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=4743.0
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'Rumanian' Morane
Here's a neatly nuzzled Morane-Saulnier L on parade, presumably not long after Romania entered the Great War on the Allied side on 28 August 1916. This machine was one of four monoplane Moranes from a total of fourty-four aircraft then in service with Romanian Air Corps (ten more than when the RAC last headlined here: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.msg267835#msg267835). This would make for a great diorama!
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 9 November 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/pTQPcfKh/11-09-1916-Roumania-Readies-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Farman Experimental
Paired with Friday's pusher pictorial featuring an Airco D.H.2, here's it's kindred single-seat scout to round out the weekend - the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8. While the first 'Fee' took to the sky only ten days after the Airco, it took six extra months to reach the front in significant quantity. Nearly 300 were manufactured. Does anyone recognize the pilot? Almost looks like Marty Feldman!
(from the Observer, 10 November 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/vTXhh26z/11-10-1917-FE8-Observer.gif) (https://postimages.org/)
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In Remembrance
"Sombody's Darling, Friend of Foe"
(https://i.postimg.cc/qRbbVZDD/398880833-742091844613292-5865502077544971188-n.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via facebook)
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Conspicuous Gallantry
Another pusher scout in the news this week. This time one flown by Group Captain Lionel Wilmot Brabazon Rees, VC, OBE, MC, AFC of No. 32 Squadron.
(from the Glamorgan Gazette, 12 November 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/br9nC17H/11-12-1915-Welshman-s-Feat-Glamorgan-Gazette.png) (https://postimg.cc/p5yyy5Xp)
(https://i.postimg.cc/wM1KFkyn/Airco-DH-2-of-the-32-Squadron-RFC-at-Vert-Galand-1916.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via ww1aircraft.net)
Rees headlined here once before in May 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg255479#msg255479
Have a look back at forum member DaveB's build of Rees' D.H.2 based on the the 1/32 Roden kit: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12487.msg233543#msg233543
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Fernlenkboot!
The remote-controlled ''FL-boat' was the Kaiserliche Marine's ambitious project produced by Siemens-Schuckertwerke to sink British Royal Navy monitors operating off the Flanders coast. "They were driven by internal combustion engines and controlled remotely from a shore station through spooled wire unwound behind the boat. The wire was 20 kilometres (12 mi) long and the spool weighed 800 kilograms (1,800 lb). An aircraft could be used to signal directions to the shore station by radio." (via wikipedia)
This article the 'New Hun Device' likely pertains to one such attack on HMS Erebus (second image below), which occurred two weeks prior on 28 October. That ship was damaged but not sunk. Might anyone know what type of airplane was used for spotting during this incident?
(from the Malaya Tribune, 13 November 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/L6JghgCQ/11-13-1917-Remote-Control-Malaya-Tribune.png) (https://postimg.cc/zV1Gcv1T)(https://i.postimg.cc/qMBd4Wwp/Screenshot-2020-02-05-at-16-31-47.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9M1qSv1r/HMS-Erebus-I02.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(iage via wikipedia)
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"H" Bomb
Epithets like 'boche' and 'hun' were widely bandied in the English-speaking press during the war and long after. Just yesterday, the news headline lead with the "H" bomb. Today's unlucky aviator has been sentenced to a year in prison for unsportingly writing this verboten word on a rescue note being borne by a carrier pigeon!
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 14 November 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/SRQBkhN9/11-14-1917-The-H-Word-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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LVG in Captivity
London's annual Lord Mayor's Show dates way back to the 13th century. First featured on the BBC in 1937, it remains the longest-running television broadcast worldwide. The 1916 edition featured what looks to be a wingless Luft-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft C.II on display.
Thankfully this parade was preserved for posterity by British Pathe in motion picture format. This doppelldecker war prize can be seen (with wings in tow) at the 20-second mark: https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/76169/
(respectively from The Aeroplane and the Illustrated War News, 15 November 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/5ynCdGtg/11-15-1916-LVG-Trophy-Aeroplane.png) (https://postimg.cc/BPP62mHP)
(https://i.postimg.cc/G2sKRv8V/11-15-1916-Captured-in-London-Illustrated-War-News.png) (https://postimg.cc/7Gw0MGNn)
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As Above, So Below
Made unfit to fly from a forced landing following a fight, this winged American aviator gets revenge by joining an anti-aircraft battalion.
(from the Evening Currant, November 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/FH3RTWYd/11-16-18-1918-Wants-to-Get-Even-Evening-Current.png) (https://postimg.cc/DSfnZcdn)
Further recounted: "Soon after the war between Germany and Great Britain started I became enthused over the cause of the British and without waiting to see what our country was going to do I went across and joined the British flying corps and soon became an aviator. One day, while flying over the Germans my machine was shot down. I managed to glide back into the British lines, but was rather badly bruised up in the fall. After spending a while in a hospital, I was discharged for physical disability, and returned to my home in Chicago some months ago. I registered, of course, and not long ago was drawn in the draft, and, somewhat to my surprise, but much to my satisfaction, was accepted by my local medical board, and have now been passed by the camp medical board... I will probably never do any more flying. and I would like to handle an anti-aircraft machine gun and get a chance at a German aviator some day, so that he may know how it feels to be shot down."
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'Fee' Flipped
Overturned by a gale. Air mechanics of No. 18 Squadron working their magic; said to be Lavieville Aerodrome, November 1916.
(from the Australasian, 17 November 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/wM74gymZ/11-17-1917-Fe-2b-turtle-The-Australasian.png) (https://postimg.cc/zHYFkfpF)
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Over the 'Iron Wall'
This boastful bulletin depicts three layers of Britain's Royal Navy. Atop looks to be Sopwith Bat Boat, which is credited as 'the first successful flying boat and amphibious aircraft built in the United Kingdom'. Six were manufactured between 1912-1914. The longest serving Bat Boat remained in use until six month before this article's publication date. I'm not sure if this photograph has been doctored or not, but it's an impactful composition, including the seagull captured flying midpoint between the Sopwith and the submarine.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 18 November 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/hGPZggFY/11-18-1915-Iron-Walls-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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South African Action
A single sentence can be all it takes to send me down the retro-news research-rabbit hole. I don't always have time to dive deep and some searches yield little, though it's always fun to try and connect all those historical dots out there. Such is the case with today's early-war snippet out of sub-Saharan Namibia. The common quietude of colonial campaigns in contrast to the intensity of operations along the Western Front could occasionally cause minor incidents to become newsworthy. As recounted in the diary of eyewitness Cpl, Douglas Scott King of the Kaffrarian Rifles:
- Thursday, 12 November 1914... 'German aeroplane passed over our heads before breakfast. My piquet never saw it - althou' we heard it. Fired on by camp.
- Sunday, 29 November 1914... 'This morning the aeroplane paid us a second visit. Jove! but it was a lovely sight seen miles off high in the air about 4 000 ft. and getting more distinct as it neared us. On the approach to our camp - which by the way is called Haalen Burg - we just walked a few yards away from our lines. It flew right over our camp and was greeted with a regular hail of rifle shoots [sic] but all to no purpose. It flew on and on till It appeared a mere speck over Kolman's Kop. Now the fun commenced - as it flew over us it very calmly dropped two bombs and shells on us. One exploded and the other failed - no damage was done. But laugh! Pheeeeeuw!. I've never laughed so much in all my life. The shell that exploded took 12 seconds to fall to the ground - and world's records were broken by dozens whole-sale. Fat omcers legging it for "dear life". (via samilitaryhistory.org)
The anonymous aviator in question was likely German civilian Willy Truck, piloting an Aviatik (see images below).
(from the Barrier Miner, 19 November 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/DZfJyvnt/11-19-1914-AEROPLANE-RECONNOISSANCE-Barrier-Miner.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/BQ163hd5/Screenshot-2024-11-19-at-9-17-39-AM.png) (https://postimg.cc/mtBRNSZh)
(https://i.postimg.cc/htLtzX4f/Screenshot-2024-11-19-at-9-22-49-AM.png) (https://postimg.cc/w1BpnTmp)
Read more on this Willy Truck's story and other events surrounding Luderitz Bay on these two well-written websites (from where these images derive):
- http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol053sm.html
- https://aviationaoi.com/en/namibia-campaign/
You can also 'connect more dots' via this brilliant 2015 post by our recently departed forum member Old Man (James Berkman), which features his wonderful scratch-built French Farman, which operated in the same area as Truck's Aviatik: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=6507.msg119089#msg119089
Model on everyone!
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Inside a Zeppelin 'Brain'
A grainy but groovy interior view of L49's "commander's cabin". Registered as LZ.96, the airship came to grief on Saturday, October 20. "LZ-96 participated in two reconnaissance missions around the North Sea and one raid on England, dropping 2,100 kg of bombs. While returning, it was forced to land by French Air Force aircraft squadron SPA152 near Bourbonne-les-Bains on 20 October 1917 and captured almost undamaged.... The 19 occupants were taken prisoner by French armed forces. Plans derived from LZ-96 were later used in the United States for construction of the first US "zeppelin", USS Shenandoah (ZR-1)." (via asn.flightsafety.org)
(respectively from the Illustrated War News, 21 November 1917; and L'Illustration, 3 November 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/L6Jx4ndf/11-20-21-1917-Zeppelin-Brain-Illustrated-War-News.png) (https://postimg.cc/fJhcBWRT)(https://i.postimg.cc/3RHrp3Px/82e97b2b994d5dc31aca683b04074237.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5HnMWW4h)
(https://i.postimg.cc/wBPbY9Qh/image5.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Pathos in Pursuit
Transcribed combat reports rarely were printed by the press during wartime. Here are three from an American pursuit squadron. This first provides a visual description of a German 'Rumpler' encountered that day... "camouflaged in green and black diamonds with white tail... the cross on the tail, on upper and lower wings, No.8". I wonder if anyone can identify it?
(from the Forest City Press, 21 November 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/7hDZYnYn/11-21-1918-Battle-Pathos-Forest-City-Press.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/Fs6XTx5C/11-21-1918-Battle-Pathos-Forest-City-Press-2.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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'Terrific Attack'
Connecting more dots today. This article of attacks on Ottoman areas includes minor mention of a British aviator being shot down while bombing a railway station. This was the now-legendary incident from three days prior involving the valorous rescue of Sub-Lt. Gilbert Smylie RNAS by Squadron Commander Richard Bell Davies. Recap:
"Bulgaria's entry into the war had widened the conflict and the Royal Naval Air Service with fresh targets. This included a bombing attacks designed to disrupt communications between Turkey and her new ally. Aircraft attacked the railway station at Ferejik; in the course of the attack Bell Davies saw that one of his colleagues, Sub-Lt. Gilbert Smylie, had been compelled to force-land. Smylie, seeing a unit of cavalry approaching, set fire to the aircraft and prepared to escape on foot; but Bell Davies landed in a dried-up watercourse and picked up his fellow pilot, who had to cling to the upper wing of the biplane as Bell Davies took off under heavy fire as his passenger found his way into the second cockpit, which had been covered with a spare engine cowl.
On the 19th November, these two officers carried out an air attack on Ferrijik Junction. Flight-Lieutenant Smylie?s machine was received by very heavy fire and brought down. The pilot planed down over the Station, releasing all his bombs except one, which failed to drop, simultaneously at the station from a very low altitude. Thence he continued his descent into the marsh. On alighting he saw the one unexploded bomb, and set fire to his machine, knowing that the bomb would ensure its destruction. He then proceeded towards Turkish territory. At this moment he perceived Squadron-Commander Davies descending and fearing that he would come down near the burning machine and thus risk destruction from the bomb, Flight Sub-Lieutenant Smylie ran back and from a short distance exploded the bomb by means of a pistol bullet. Squadron-Commander Davies descended at a safe distance from the burning machine, took up Sub-Lieutenant Smylie, in spite of the near approach of a party of the enemy, and returned to the aerodrome, a feat of airmanship that can seldom have been equalled for skill and gallantry." (via the Gallipoli Association / Facebook)
Bell Davies was awarded the Victoria Cross for his deeds, the news of which headlined here back in January: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg262001#msg262001
'from the Daily Capital Journal, 22 November 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/7PcHBXPC/11-22-1915-Terrific-Turk-Attack-Daily-Capital-Journal.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Hott's Hawkeye
I'd love to know more about this French aviator and his Farman pusher.
Loosely translated: "Warrant Officer Hott, of whom we recall some memories, in particular that of the plane he shot down, aboard his Hawkeye biplane".
(from La Guerre aérienne illustrée , 23 November 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/mDpG4h32/11-23-1916-L-ADIUDANT-HOTT-La-Guerre-ae-rienne-illustre-e.png) (https://postimg.cc/mz9nNL60)
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"For Conspicuous Skill and Gallantry"
This week Britain's revered aviator, Albert Ball, was received at Buckingham Palace and invested with the Military Cross and two DSOs by King George V at Buckingham Palace. Tomorrow he will receive another bar, making hi the first three-time recipient of the award. These and his other hard-earned medals remain on display at Nottingham Castle Museum.
(from the Abergavenny Chronicle, 24 November 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/mg10pBh9/11-24-1916-Ball-s-3rd-DSO-Abergavenny-Chronicle.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/VNLTmzns/Albert-Ball-medals.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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'Manurewa'
"More than 800 New Zealanders served as air or ground crew with the Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Air Force. Sixty more joined the Australian Flying Corps. Of these numbers only about 250 of the air and ground crew actually saw service with operational squadrons". Harold Winstone Butterworth was one who became a 'flying bird'.
Butterworth made his first solo flight at Brooklands Aerodrome on 9 July 1915. In the coming months he would note in his personal diary (readable online: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/getmedia/9e0bf3dc-ff62-4322-b884-40f70e41462d/MS996), experience with multiple aircraft types, including various Farmans, a Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2C and B.E.8, a Curtis JN, and Avro, an Armstrong Whitworth, a Martinsyde Scout, a Voisin, and a Vickers Scout and Gunbus. On the day this spotlight went to press Butterworth would find himself in a bit of a pickle on the homefront:
"I was busy instructing this morn when an inlet valve broke & the machine caught on fire. I landed straight away & with the help of the pupil managed to get the flames out in about 5 min. I managed to keep the flames off the planes & there was not more than 5/- worth of damage done. I landed quite well but the machine had to be towed back because of the engine being broken." (quotes via aucklandmuseum.com)
Ultimately Butterworth was sent to France with No. 18 Squadron RFC and fought in the skies during the Battle of the Somme. He would never return from his final mission on 16 July 1916.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 25 November 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Rh1NyLCW/11-25-1915-Butterworth-in-a-Farman-Auckland-Weekly-News-copy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/t48DX9tF/Screenshot-2024-11-25-at-10-03-07-PM.png) (https://postimg.cc/3kC215qw)
(image from Butterworth's personal collection via aucklandmuseum.com)
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'Fell Like a Stone'
The demise and funeral of German ace Kurt Wintgens was widely reported in the international news of the time and has headlined here before. Today's news recounts details of his final flight - 12,000 feet in the air over Villers-Carbonnel.
(from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, 26 November 1916:
(https://i.postimg.cc/5Nh8W8r4/11-26-1916-Wintgens-Killed-Richmond-Times-Dispatch.png) (https://postimg.cc/0bCzpKxF)(https://i.postimg.cc/5287h4nr/Screenshot-2024-11-26-at-10-49-07-AM.png) (https://postimg.cc/SnNf8h0L)
(image: Wintgens in front of an enwreathed doppeldecker two days after his dual victories of 21 July 1916, via alexautographs.com)
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Gallipoli Fire Bomb
"The world we're destroying..." wrote Frenchman sergent pilote Henri Dumas of Escadrille MF 98 T in a letter from Tenedos as he described the photograph he took of today's news subject. "...the one in the middle weighs 135 kilograms ? a world record? the world we?re destroying? ? the small one weighs 15 kilos, the medium-sized one 75 kilos. That is the one I use. The head of the British squadron is Commander Samson, who has made very fine aerial attacks in Europe, notably at night on Dusseldorf and Brussels. He has with him Lieutenant Marix, another of the heroes of Dusseldorf and other long-range bombing raids." (via aegeanairwar.com)
This one-of-a-kind field-made incendiary bomb is indeed believed to be then the heaviest bomb ever deployed operationally. These multiple images illustrate the ongoing inventiveness of the RNAS wing under Commander Charles Rumney Samson in their strategy of bringing the war to the enemy during the conflict's early phase. This nearly 500lb bomb was ultimately strapped to the belly of a a Voisin but reportedly failed to explode upon deployment. Flanking it in some photos here are a 20lb Hale bomb and a 112lb H.E.R.L. bomb. I also believe possible the dog posing in the growing airplane boneyard behind the bomb in the second image is 'Growler', who was rescued in the field. That also looks to be the carcass of a B.E.2 in the background... possibly the fuselage of Samson's old workhorse #50. May even be Samson himself in that cover page. Might anyone know?
(from the Illustrated War News, 24 and 27 November 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/MH1GR8Hf/11-27-1915-gallipoli-bomb-illustrated-war-news-1.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/8zz1kvR6/11-27-1915-gallipoli-bomb-illustrated-war-news-2.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/C1z7wc1Q/knatchbull-m-capt-the-hon-collection-q44277-c5e414-640.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/fRp64SBZ/71.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/2ygXsP7G/Screenshot-2024-11-27-at-10-55-33-AM.png) (https://postimg.cc/Pvz4ZVcv)(https://i.postimg.cc/Nf6KMFLF/379178646-696223179214122-7859710644342496433-n.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2V5k9zQN)
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Giving Thanks
There was much for the victors to celebrate over Thanksgiving Day in 1918. And who better to carouse with than America's ace-of-aces Eddie Rickenbacker - Commanding Officer of the United States Army Air Service 94th Aero Squadron? The group had just settled into the formerly German Noers Aerodrome situated on a plateau one mile southwest of Longuyon, in what just two weeks prior was occupied France. So, brush your uniform and grab your swagger stick for today's festivities! Here's the program for the grand dinner put on by the 'Hat in the Ring' Squadron:
(https://i.postimg.cc/DfHLsDyF/download-4.png) (https://postimg.cc/vD74w0VS)(https://i.postimg.cc/8Cp6Ngwd/download.png) (https://postimg.cc/9DkMYS6z)(https://i.postimg.cc/nz5j4jxT/download-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/0MYyxNbJ)(https://i.postimg.cc/PJwL2XrH/download-3.png) (https://postimg.cc/YLtqSwWD)
(https://i.postimg.cc/vZd2shj7/download-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/tY2Nd397)
(images courtesy of the Ohio History Connection)
Alas, there is no one alive to recount the 'rumors de merde' they shared, what dances were performed, or which solo the violinist played... though it might have sounded something like this serenade, which was recorded on this day, 27 November, in 1918: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHWnf3FcIck.
Fun Fact: Not in attendance was the 94th's former commanding officer Major John W. F. M. Huffer who had previously been relieved of duty and will facing be court martial tomorrow for bringing 'a common prostitute' to another dance 'with other U.S. officers and civilians present'. Here's a build of Huffer's Nieuport 28 by forum member RAGIII: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12119.msg225953#msg225953
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm thankful to be among so many fine folk here on this forum.
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Crazy Bravery
In an age when only a minuscule percentage of the world's population had ever flown, simply viewing a 'sea of clouds' at height must have been captivating. Beyond this initial wonderment that draws anyone airborne, early wartime pilots started to strategize how to use this new terrain to their advantage. Today's caption (loosely translated): "Generally flying at an altitude of two thousand meters, the aviators ingeniously take advantage of the curtains of clouds, abundant at this time of year, to escape the enemy's gaze. Then, at the opportune moment, diving through a gap, they launch their projectiles with astonishing precision. If we only hear briefly about them at the moment, the Germans are well aware of the skill and the crazy bravery of these aerial scouts who each carry out up to three or four successful reconnaissances each day".
(from Le Miroir, 29 November 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/rwGMFZy8/11-29-1914-Crazy-Bravery-Le-Miroir.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HrLf627K)
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Dogfight... In No-Man's Land
Yesterday we soared up among clouds. Today we're down in the notorious Dodengang (Trench of Death) witnessing another act of 'crazy bravery'. This time it's a violent battle between Belgians and Germans to reach a downed British plane and its stricken crew. Remnants of the Dodengang exist today as a tourist attraction of sorts: https://darktourists.com/dodengang-the-trench-of-death-travels-in-diksmuide/
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 1 December 1916)
(https://i.postimg.cc/YCZbDXvg/12-01-1916-Dead-in-No-Mans-Land-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/CRCGzsHL)(https://i.postimg.cc/1trxQxFb/Screenshot-2024-12-01-at-9-36-23-AM.png) (https://postimg.cc/62qbrmYh)
(image: 'Ramscappelle, Belgium. 1916-05-12. A Belgian Army sandbagged trench near the railway station', via awm.gov.au)
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School Days
Here's a transcript of a letter home from Australian Flight-Lieutenant Harry Butler, who at this point of the Great War was stationed at the Royal Flying Corps Hythe School of Aerial Gunnery. Here Butler describes his duties and a Staff Instructor and recounts experiences a few aircraft types. Quite cleverly, the school's eponymous aerial camera guns closely resembled the standard Lewis machine gun that observers used in combat. Though commonly called Hythe guns they were manufactured by Thornton Pinkard. One hundred year later the Hythe gun again made news in Australia when one was surrendered to local police who initially mistook it for an actual firearm! That story: https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/10/03/australian-cops-mistake-lewis-hythe-mk-iii-gun-camera-firearm/. Who knows... perhaps it was another wartime keepsake brought home by Butler (who headlined here last June: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.msg267014#msg267014).
(from The Pioneer, 2 December 1916)
(https://i.postimg.cc/QMGnDWBF/12-02-1916-Airmen-Mishaps-The-Pioneer-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/18BKcXrS)(https://i.postimg.cc/t45BxR2T/12-02-1916-Airmen-Mishaps-The-Pioneer-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/sMMPFzFd)
(https://iili.io/2GcAV6l.md.png) (https://freeimage.host/i/2GcAV6l)
anonymous image hosting (https://freeimage.host/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/C5T24PDL/Hythe-gun-camera-and-photo-of-a-Be-2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via blogger.googleusercontent.com)
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Was ist Das?
Caption call this carcass a 'Taube monoplane' said to have been downed in La Ferte-Milon. Looks more like an Albatros C.1 maybe? Anyone know for sure?
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 3 December 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/j5cgHMZN/12-03-1914-German-Wreck-Auckland-Weekly-News.webp) (https://postimages.org/)
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Need For Speed
It's been a year since Fast Eddie completed his fourth race in the Indianapolis 500. It's been half a year since he publicly proposed creating an air corps of race car drivers (as headlined here back in April 2022: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg242309#msg242309). With his recently anglicized surname Edward Vernon Rickenbacker is now half way to achieving his ambition of becoming a combat pilot. At the time of this publication he's been stationed at the U.S. Air Service 3rd Aviation Instruction Center Issoudun. Already trained to fly, in few weeks he will report to the French aerial gunnery school at Cazaux. Under the guidance of Raoul Lufbery of the 94th Aero Squadron, Rickenbacker will go on to score his first aerial victory on 29 April 1918.
(from the Tacoma Times, 4 December 1907):
(https://i.postimg.cc/FzBgFNMR/12-04-1917-Too-Slow-for-Fast-Eddie-Tacoma-times.png) (https://postimg.cc/xNLbtDTD)
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Bedfordshire Battleplane
A real rarity is revealed in the bottom two images from today's news - The Dyott Type AT. Two examples of George Dyott's five-machine-gun monster were produced by Hewlett & Blondeau at their factory in Leagrave, Bedfordshire. Though conceived as early as 1914, the prototype did not fly until the summer of 1916. Alas, by this time the big biplane proved underpowered and obsolete in light of the evolving air war. Read the full story of this off bird here: https://dingeraviation.net/articles/dyott.htm
(from the Sydney Mail, 5 December 1917):
(https://iili.io/2EyqYBt.md.png) (https://freeimage.host/i/2EyqYBt)(https://iili.io/2Ey52pt.md.jpg) (https://freeimage.host/i/2Ey52pt)
(image via airandspace.si.edu)
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Nieuport Duet
'Wonderful snapshot' is a perfect caption for this cloud-filled composition, which appears to have caught a quiet dialogue between two planes on patrol.
(from the Illustrated War News, 6 December 1916):
(https://iili.io/2GlwLTg.md.jpg) (https://freeimage.host/i/2GlwLTg)
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Skyway Robbery
Who knows if this crazy story is true? I'm happy to be 'stolidly duped' even if this tale of downed RFC 'desperadoes' a total fabrication. Most entertaining regardless.
(from the El Paso Herald, 7 December 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/brr5dHGQ/12-07-1918-Highway-Robbery-El-Paso-Herald.png) (https://postimg.cc/1VxBjFrt)
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Long-Distance Legend
Giulio Laureati was already forty years old and a veteran pilot of five years at the time of these publications. The Italian first entered military service in 1897 and first flew in 1912. Laureati headlined here last May for surviving a brutal air combat in early 1916: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg263501#msg263501. Today he is back in the news for this pioneering flight between Turin and London that lasted nearly 7-1/2 hours. It was one of several long-distance efforts he would make during his career. "On September 24, taking off from the Mirafiori airfield in Turin, with mechanic Corporal Michelangelo Tonso on board, he completed the Turin-London non-stop flight in the record time of 7 hours and 22 minutes. When he arrived in the British capital he was received by King George V, who awarded him the Royal Victorian Order, while an image of him was exhibited at the famous Wax Museum in London." (via visitgrottammare.it)
(from the World's News, 9 December 1917; and the Marquess, 5 December 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/mZy8RGSv/12-09-1917-Turin-to-London-World-s-News.png) (https://postimg.cc/HjjQ4RRz)(https://i.postimg.cc/Vs00B9JD/12-09-05-1917-Marquess-Giulio-Laureati-Italian-Air-Service-and-his-observer-Michael-Angelo-Tonz.gif) (https://postimg.cc/MXxGzQbQ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/FsWB0Q8M/DC-1917-40-v.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zVh714J7)
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Where Eagles Dare
It's not always 'man v. man' up there. An anonymous airman recounts his acrobatic contest above the clouds with an enthusiastic eagle. As a bonus, below right is the secret trick to stop influenza dead in its tracks.
(from the Evening Star, 10 December 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/66czfPBK/12-10-1919-Aviator-vs-Eagle-Evening-Star.png) (https://postimg.cc/bdGQz3GV)
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Casualties Off Calais
Here's a grim report of a German Gotha bomber crew that survived a mission over enemy territory only to succumb to the mists of Mother Nature.
(respectively from the Illustrated War News, 12 December 1917; and the New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 7 February 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/PqhkBnxy/12-12-1917-Gotha-Rammed-Illustrated-War-News.png) (https://postimg.cc/mPdqHq71)(https://i.postimg.cc/05HKxc7D/NZISDR19180207-2-29-1-a1-700w.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/d3ZXh53D/end-german-plane-enemy-plane-twin-engine-gotha-36365021-jpg-copy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image: "The End of a German Plane; An enemy plane, a twin-engine gotha, which had flown over Calais on the night of November 3 to 4, 1917, crashed, around one o'clock in the morning, against the cliffs of Blanc-Nez, near Sangatte, about 12 kilometers away from Calais, after getting lost in the thick fog that stretched over the strait. Four men were inside: a pilot, an observer officer and two bombardiers. All four were drowned by the rising tide which enveloped the craft, 1917"; from L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919, vol. 2, 1924]
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Not So Great R.E.8
Here lies a downed Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8. A photograph of this image, titled 'A crashed RE.8 aircraft beside a road near Boezinge, 16th August 1917', and attributed to Lieutenant Ernest Brooks is in the Imperial War Museum Collection. At least a half dozen of these two-seaters have been shot down by German aces along the Western Front in the days surrounding this incident. Julius Buckler of Jasta 17 clipped one near Spermalie on the 11th. Erich Lowenhardt destroyed one west of Flanders on the 14th. Fritz Rumey earned his second-ever victory over R.E.8 #A4266 over Epephy on the 19th. On the 21st Otto Konnecke (Jasta 5) downed another northwest of Vaucelles Wood. And Karl Menckhoff (Jasta 3) defeated one near Langemarck on the 26th.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 13 December 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/XqqKm3QG/12-13-11917-Not-so-Great-Re8-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Ca.1 Introdotto
Though the exact identity of the aircraft introduced here is not stated, it must refer to "Gianni" Caproni's tri-engined, twin-boom biplane with tricycle landing gear. This odd bird ranked among the largest airplanes in the world when it first flew in late 1914. It was the progenitor of a successful line of heavy bombers that took wing during the Great War, with many being converted to civilian transport in following years. "The Ca.1 entered service with the Italian Army in the middle of 1915 and first saw action on August 20, 1915, attacking the Austrian air base at Aisovizza. Fifteen bomber squadrons (1-15 Squadriglia) were eventually equipped with Ca.1, Ca.2, and Ca.3 bombers, bombing mostly targets in Austria-Hungary. The 12th squadron operated in Libya. In 1918 three squadrons (3, 14 and 15) operated in France." (via wikipedia)
from the Cambria Daily Leader, 15 December 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/d00Gy4r2/12-15-1914-Italian-Armored-Airplane-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/21PqpdHy)
Check out forum member Tim Mixon's build of the 1/72 Ca.3 by Meikraft: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13296.msg247333#msg247333
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Over Halifax
It's been ten days since a French cargo ship collided with a Belgian Relief vessel in Halifax Harbor. The ensuing explosion was equivalent to roughly 3 kilotons of TNT, creating a blast that billowed 20,000 feet above the city and cast a 60-foot tsunami. It dwarfed the discharge caused by the Mines in the Battle of Messines, which just five months earlier was the largest man-made explosion in history. Around 2,000 people died. Halifax remains mankind's greatest artificial accidental explosion. To make it more miserable, "by afternoon, temperatures dropped to -4 C as the winds intensified from the northwest to 55 km/h, with gusts over 90 km/h, producing wind chills of -15 C. A combination of blowing and drifting snow gave blizzard-like conditions, and by the end of day, 40 centimetres of snow had fallen over the city." (via cbc.ca)
How does this pertain to us? Though censored to some extent during the war, scenes of the disaster were captured by American aviator Harry Crandall. Here's some surviving archival footage for you (though I'm uncertain if any of it is his): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PImhLMxTXc
(from the Evening Star, 16 December 1917).
(https://i.postimg.cc/8z4wrRDR/12-16-1917-Aero-Over-Halifax-Evening-Star.png) (https://postimg.cc/Yv4Q5mv0)
(https://i.postimg.cc/gjRn6bXx/Untitled-design-1.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via weebly.com)
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Bounty on Bomber Builder
The introduction of Gianni Caproni's first heavy bomber headlined here just two days ago. Clearly Caproni's continued success as an aeronautical engineer must have made an impression on Italy's foremost foe, for the Austrian government has put a bounty on the head of the aircraft designer. The $120,000 prize would be roughly worth $3m today. No one met this claim and Caproni lived to contribute to the next war... that time allied with Austria. He died aged 71 in 1957
(from the Ogden Standard, 17 December 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/bvWDw0LN/12-17-1917-Bounty-on-Caproni-Ogden-standard.png) (https://postimg.cc/PLbr6wBB)
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Paris Burns
Interesting wartime snippet of statistics on the exponential growth of German bombing on Paris.
(from The Sun, 19 December 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZRQG3Y3z/12-19-1918-Paris-Raids-The-Sun.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/9Myk4PWZ/paris-air-raids-map.png) (https://postimg.cc/YGqRZWLC)
(image via geographicalimaginations.com)
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'Hush-Hush' War Wonder
Launched in August 1916 and commissioned the following June, HMS Furious was built by Armstrong Whitworth first as a Courageous-class battlecruiser but was converted to an aircraft carrier mid-construction. The aquatic aerodrome was involved in history's first carrier-launched airstrike - Operation F.7 (the Tondern raid) four months to the day before this news article went to press, while the Great War was still raging. HMS Furious remained in active service into the closing months of WWII.
(from the Gazette Times, 19 December 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/GmTWGBJ3/12-19-1918-Aerodrome-Ship-Gazette-Times.png) (https://postimg.cc/Snq1pxvH)
Here's a look back at forum member macsporran's 1/48-scale build of a Sopwith 2F.1 Ship's Camel (N6605) flown from the deck of HMS Furious on the Tondern Raid:
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=645.msg211942#msg211942
And check out this 1/192-scale model in the Imperial War Museum collection: https://stefsap.wordpress.com/2015/10/31/hms-furious-1918-1192-model/
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British Battleplanes
This sextet of images depict two aircraft types borne of pre-war designs by Captain Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, during his tenure at the Royal Aircraft Factory. Both below are B.E.2c's. Atop is a relative rarity - the Airco D.H.1a (cousin to the R.A.F. F.E.2) in its operational prime and with multiple pillar gun mounts. "The DH.1 saw operational service only in the Middle East theatre, where six Beardmore-powered DH.1As arrived in July 1916. These were used by No. 14 Squadron RFC as escorts for their B.E.2 reconnaissance aircraft. An Aviatik two-seater was claimed by a 14 Squadron D.H.1A on 2 August 1916 for the only known victory of the type. The last known action by a DH.1 was on 5 March 1917, when one was shot down during a bombing raid on Tel el Sheria. No. 14 Squadron became an R.E.8 unit in November 1917; it seems probable that the last operational DH.1 had gone before that date." (via wikipedia)
(from the Sydney Mail, 20 December 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/xdL1MfCc/12-20-1916-East-of-Suez-Sydney-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/f3TshhYN)
Want to see a D.H.1a up close? Have a gander at this scratch-built beauty in 1/32 by fellow forum member lone modeller: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=10930.0
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Hot Scoops
Clearly these topics are ranked in order of increasing newsworthiness.
(from the Snowflake Herald, 21 December 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/VsHTVQGK/12-21-1917-Hot-Scoop-Snowflake-Herald.png) (https://postimg.cc/gr8Nx5Ph)
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Hot Scoops, Pt. 2
Geez.... I guess it really was top news! Might anyone know who the unfortunate occupants of this unnamed two seater were?
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 22 December 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/zGzbZp1d/12-22-1915-Capsized-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Hot Scoops
Clearly these topics are ranked in order of increasing newsworthiness.
(from the Snowflake Herald, 21 December 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/VsHTVQGK/12-21-1917-Hot-Scoop-Snowflake-Herald.png) (https://postimg.cc/gr8Nx5Ph)
As a reformed journalist this is amusing and feels very pointed! ;D
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As a reformed journalist this is amusing and feels very pointed! ;D
hahahaha
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Bound for the Front
Another grainy photo... anyone recognize this aircraft or the location?
(from the Evening Star, 23 December 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/BbfM8f8H/12-23-1917-German-Plane-Transport-Evening-Star.png) (https://postimg.cc/phkD77JL)
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Imperial Air Routes
With war wound up, a race begins to link by air Europe's colonies not properly serviced by railways. One of Britain's leading proponents was Air Chief Marshal Sir William Geoffrey Hanson Salmond, KCB, KCMG, DS. Born way back in 1878, Salmond was awarded Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate no. 421 on 18 February 1913. He served as a senior commander in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War and he held appointments in the Middle East, Great Britain and India.
"While holding the command of the Middle East, he had laid out an airway from Cairo to South Africa, clearing a chain of aerodromes in Central Africa. His idea was to send a demonstration flight or flights of RAF aircraft across Africa, thus providing the link of which Cecil Rhodes had dreamed in a Cape-to-Cairo railway. Salmond contemplated flights by both landplane and flying-boat. He was not destined to put his idea into execution, though his airway was used by Sir Pierre van Ryneveld and Sir Christopher Brand on their first flight to South Africa. In 1918, he flew the route from Cairo to Delhi in under two days. He was appointed a Grand Officer of the Egyptian Order of the Nile on 9 November 1918, a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1919 New Year Honours, and a Grand Commander of the Greek Order of the Redeemer on 5 April 1919. He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George on 3 June 1919 and mentioned in despatches on account of his services in the Middle East on 28 June 1919." (via wikipedia)
Fun fact: Though Salmond was born 146 years ago, his daughter Anne Baker, who was born before the outbreak of WW1, is sill alive. A supercentenarian, she was fundraising for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children as recently as 2019 - 100 years following the publication of today's article. She wrote a biography of her father in 2003.
(from the Farmer and Settler, 24 December 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/wMmksbk8/12-24-1918-Cairo-to-India-The-Farmer-and-Settler.png) (https://postimg.cc/RJvtkd8X)(https://i.postimg.cc/8Cby43Wh/710-AJJq6-Mk-L-SL1500.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/t1YtCBBT)
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Season's Greetings
(https://i.postimg.cc/FK5n71CP/243-C5-B3300000578-0-image-m-26-1419365280146.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/t4tFNTCv/cdb8217baf4767fb99b4ee8d0137525a.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Yv04ptFQ)(https://i.postimg.cc/vB8hVnrv/HG-Xmas-not-peace-card.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/1RjB8ffp/ww1-christmas-greetings-postcard-14352106-jpg.webp) (https://postimages.org/)
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Ready to Raid
The oft-seen image shows a line-up of seventeen Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a's.
(from The Herald, 26 December 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/pLmNrpZF/12-26-1918-Ready-for-Bombing-Raid-The-Herald.png) (https://postimg.cc/xXVpFjBf)
Here's a look back at a 1/144th-scale S.E.5a scratch-built by forum member ondra: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=8583.msg157996#msg157996
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Back to Business
An Albatros crew of two graces the cover page with this staged shot depicting the dropping of a carbonit fliegerbombe.
(from Unsere Krieger Bilder aus Groszer Zeit Heft, 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/NFVJLbXP/00-00-1916-bomb-Unsere-Krieger-Bilder-aus-groszer-Zeit-Heft.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tn3tM32h)
Here's a recent rendering of some carbonit variants I've been tinkering with. Prints are in 1/32:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Pr6yP4gM/10kg-Carbonit-32-v11.png) (https://postimg.cc/XpCdPw7Z)(https://i.postimg.cc/sXzrLsDK/Full-Size-Render.avif) (https://postimg.cc/R3gy6rtn)
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Loving the posts as always :)
Is it me or does it look like that bomb is about to be dropped through the lower wing...? :o
Cheers
BC
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Brad, luckily there is a huge rectangular cut-out in the lower wing of the Albatros B.
Here's a recent rendering of some carbonit variants I've been tinkering with. Prints are in 1/32:
(https://i.postimg.cc/sXzrLsDK/Full-Size-Render.avif) (https://postimg.cc/R3gy6rtn)
I would love to include that lovely chair in my order :)
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Brad - Even with that wing cut-out... little room for error!
Borsos - The bistro chair and refectory table are test prints from a group of 'aerodrome furniture' we're brainstorming. The table is entirely my creation, derived from a period carpentry book. The chair design I sourced online for free and simply scaled down to 1/32. If you'd like one with your order you can have at no extra charge. PM me if you like.
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Neue Albatros
And other fun stats about the Luftstreitkr?fte from the dawn of the first winter of the first air war. Perhaps the Albatros type mentioned was a W.2?
(from the Cambria Daily News, 28 December 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/J41z2rD0/12-28-1914-Misc-News-Cambria-Daily-Leader-6.png) (https://postimg.cc/NLztywxv)(https://i.postimg.cc/NjBCXnzW/12-28-1914-Misc-News-Cambria-Daily-Leader-7.png) (https://postimg.cc/8jXbQZDH)
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P.M. sent :)
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Famous Face?
Upon first glance I thought this photo depicted the well-known portrait of pilot Miodrag Tomić of the Serbian Army in his Bleriot XI-2 (who headlined here in June 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg255783#msg255783). Rather, it purports to portray a 'Lieut. Castien' - a name I couldn't chase down despite the magic of the internet. Can anyone here identify this aircrew?
(from the Sydney Mail, 29 December 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZRYjsm5z/12-29-1915-Famous-Belgian-Sydney-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/kVZxDkST)
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Pilota Finito
Luigo Olivari first headlined here last May after scoring his sixth aerial victory over a Lohner T.1 near Grado (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.msg265799#msg265799). The Italian ace would achieve two more confirmed kills two weeks following. His final confirmed win was over a Hansa-Brandenburg C.I - possibly the carcass pictured below. But that is not the subject of today's news. Alas, our 'hero and martyr' has been killed in a non-combat crash- his SPAD VII stalled during take-off on the morning of 13 October. Today the Ghedi Air Base is named in his honor.
(from L'Italia, 30 December 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/brPZ0Vd5/12-30-1917-Luigi-Olivari-L-Italia.png) (https://postimg.cc/JDT7MqN3)
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Marooned in the Maldives
The Hilfskreuzer SMS Wolf has been at sea for nearly a year now. With aid from her Friedrichshafen FF.33e seaplane Wolfschen (which headlined here last March: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg263796#msg263796), the Q-ship is on track to sink fourteen ships totalling 38,391 gross register tonnage. The 450 mines aboard this notorious commerce raider will sink another thirteen ships, grossing a further 75,888 GRT. Sixteen of these victims are sailing under the British flag.
Naturally the havoc caused by this single ship is of great strategic concern to the British Admiralty. So the seaplane-carrier HMS Raven II has been dispatched to the Indian Ocean to hunt down the Wolf. Ironically both vessels are wartime conversions of German merchant freighters. For this mission Raven II has brought a Sopwith Baby and two Short Admiralty Type 184s. And this brings us to today's news that highlights a series of adventures experienced by the two-man crew of one of the Shorts, which inspired Rudyard Kipling's story A Flight of Fact.
"On a late afternoon on 21st April 1917, two pilots, 29-year-old Captain Abbott Mead, and 22-year-old co-pilot Smith were on a search mission from Male to Ari Atoll. The crew ran into a storm and were driven off course and lost all radio contacts with the naval ship. Eventually, they were forced to land near one of the remote islands as darkness approached. The seaplane was stuck at first due to low tide but managed to move around once the tide began to rise. They taxied around in search of a channel with no luck and eventually decided to taxi at high speed over the reef and into the calm waters inside the lagoon.
'There was nothing but the lightning to help us beach the machine beneath a bank of white coral sand crowned with coconut trees, which grew right down to the water's edge. We roped her to one of them. Then as the storm increased in violence, we spend a miserable night lying along the lower plane in an attempt to get some little shelter from the driving rain' - Captain Mead"
There was no food or water available on the island. The following morning with the rising sun the crew departed again in search of the mainland running very low on fuel. Eventually, they ran out of fuel and landed near the Filitheyo island. The wind and tides then pushed the seaplane to a reef nearby. Exhausted from trying to keep the seaplane off the reef and with night approaching, the two pilots decided to swim towards the island in hopes of receiving assistance... They reached the island after a mile and a half long swim. Once ashore they managed to find three huts with coconuts inside and drifted off to sleep. Late in the night, they were awakened by sound of locals" (via aviatorsmaldives.com)
What happened to the Short seaplane? How did the crew manage to meet the Sultan? Did the Raven and the Wolf ever duel?
Read the full account here: https://www.aviatorsmaldives.com/post/the-story-of-how-a-british-seaplane-was-stranded-on-a-remote-island-in-faafu-atoll-in-1917. And more here: https://www.kipling.org.uk/rg_flightfact1_p.htm
(from the Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 30 December 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/KYdffSm7/12-31-1918-Maldives-Visit-Singapore-Free-Press-and-Mercantile-Advertiser.png) (https://postimg.cc/XZk9NPGX)(https://i.postimg.cc/MG6NN3rf/1d4dda-d048f55862174ebc8dc82bc79684acd0-mv2-1.webp) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via aviatorsmaldives.com)
Hare's a look back at forum member IanB's build of a Short 184 in 1/72 scale by Aeroclub:
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=5132.0
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Happy New Year
(https://i.postimg.cc/bvNfGQSb/128464ex1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LJ7bwgT6)
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Wings and a Prayer
If you had the luxury of purchasing a Kodak Brownie camera during wartime 1918, your acquisition included a complimentary one-year subscription to Kodakery magazine - a journal for amateur shutterbugs. Page 13 of your January 1919 issue would have seized your glance with this now-familiar photo of a chaplain among seated servicemen. The recent rotogravure was snapped in September 1918, and depicts the Venerable James Rowland Walkley CBE of the relatively recently rechristened Royal Air Force preaching from his perch in an F.E.2b pusher of the relatively recently rechristened Royal Aircraft Establishment at the recently relocated No. 2 Aeroplane Supply Depot, RAF Le Bahot, France. Below are two less-seen views from this Sunday ceremony showing Rev. Walkley leading the servicemen in song.
Fun fact: Rev. Walkley played rugby at Cambridge and became the fencing champion at RAF Uxbridge for a spell.
(from Kodakery, January 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/pLZZrFMw/01-00-1919-fe2-Kodakery.jpg)
(https://postimg.cc/pmm81yTC)
(https://i.postimg.cc/TYWH96Kt/s-l1600.webp) (https://postimg.cc/bspTy4Hn)(https://i.postimg.cc/wMmRS7p4/chaplain-leads-singing-no-13779875-jpg.webp) (https://postimages.org/)
You can almost hear their hymn echoing now via this build from forum member PrzemoL and his brilliant 1/32-scale F.E.2b:
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11810.msg220145#msg220145
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Seaplane Centerfold
Which would top your build list? I'd go for the Burgess-Dunne flying wing on the left. The FBA would be a fun one too. The only one I've done is the Sopwith 807.
(from the Supplement to The Aeroplane, 3 January 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/m2JMB0ZF/01-03-1917-Some-Seaplanes-aeroplan121917lond-0060.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F7b1xCL9)(https://i.postimg.cc/63M2SP1q/01-03-1917-Some-Seaplanes-aeroplan121917lond-0061.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/N9rj2dtv)
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Lohner is at the top of the list!
Very nice poster, tanks!
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Messenger of War
Here's an interesting blurb suggesting the significant role that aerial reconnaissance played since the earliest phase of the Great War. Through the thicket of pickelhauben appears a rather rare aero. This looks to be a variant of the pre-war Plage-Court 'Torpedo' monoplane fitted with a hefty propeller. Might anyone know the full story of this particular streamlined Luftaufklarung machine?
(from The War of the Nations, vol. 7, 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/pXCzwdtJ/00-00-1915-taube-the-war-of-the-nations-vol-7-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Bombarding Przemysl
"It is a strange unpleasant feeling if the aeroplane appears above oneself high in the skies. You get the impression it tracks you personally although it is not able to distinguish individuals because of its height of 2,000 metres...", witnessed Richard Stenitzer, an Austrian army doctor trapped in the Russian siege of Przemysl (via historynet.com).
The identity of these Russian bombers is unknown. At war's outbreak the Imperial Russian Air Force had the largest number of aircraft on strength of the entire Entente, with several types in operation. Could they have been two Sikorsky Ilya Muromets? Two were available as of August 1914. The first designated bomber squadron was established on 23 December (its 100th anniversary was just celebrated in Russia as the 'Day of Long-Range Aviation'. However, it is recorded that Russia's first major bombing raid occurred in February, 1915, when the Austrian railway station in Willenberg was attacked. Can anyone confirm any the aircraft types involved?
(from the Evening Public Ledger, 5 January 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/85qDbCVS/01-05-1915-Russians-Bomb-Austria-Evening-Public-Ledger.png) (https://postimg.cc/G8JZLd27)
Here's some historic footage of the bombardment of Przemysl in 1915: https://youtu.be/Ly8wm-oas9I?si=Cv70zknhvSE_JtJ-
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Fight Above the 'French Frontier'
Today - just some journalist's jottings of an aerial joust.
(from the Chickasaha Daily Express, 6 January 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/KYddYtRy/01-06-1916-Duel-in-the-Air-Chickasha-Daily-Express.png) (https://postimg.cc/Z9xf7B8f)
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Vickers Victorious
Though the text of this ghostly newsprint is near impossible to read we can clearly see the action shot above. It shows a Vickers F.B.5 Gunbus strafing a German staff car. I've yet to unearth the backstory on this article, though one or two such incidents have headlined here before. Anyone recognize the artist or characters portrayed?
(from the Perth Western Mail, 7 January 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/L6Zm6hMc/01-07-1916-Vickers-Gunbus-getbetter-image-Perth-Western-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/tYyKBqJk)
See those Union Jacks in come alive in full color on the underwing of this 1/48-scale Blue Max 'Gunbus' by forum member Tim Mixon: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13649.msg252528#msg252528
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Whitehead's Highlight
"Despite having neither a company nor any evident experience of running a factory, in 1915 John Alexander Whitehead managed to win a contract from the Ministry of Munitions to build six BE2b biplanes. Some time in the 1890s Whitehead set off alone for North America. Exactly what he did there remains a bit of a mystery but by the time he returned to England on 31 May 1914 he had become a cabinetmaker, an American citizen, and the divorced father of three children, of whom he had custody. On 29 August he enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service as a Petty Officer Mechanic, but was discharged on 26 September. During his short service he had been to Dunkirk, where the Eastchurch RNAS Squadron (No 3 Squadron) under Wing Commander Charles Samson was based. After his discharge he got work as a carpenter at the Grahame-White Airplane Company factory in Hendon
Throughout 1917 Whitehead's business continued to flourish. By August his company had around three-thousand employees, was producing planes at the rate of about two per day, and was achieving national prominence." (habitatsandheritage.org.uk/)
Like many manufacturers his wartime enterprise failed in 1919. Following a string of failed ventures he ultimately ended in apple orchard management on his family estate. Read more on this ambitious entrepreneur: https://habitatsandheritage.org.uk/blog/whitehead/
(from the Mirror of Australia 8 January 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/wT6wcZD9/01-08-1916-Latest-B-E-2c-Mirror-of-Australia.png) (https://postimg.cc/CdQCwvv2)(https://i.postimg.cc/Vv48Khg2/04-03-1918-aeroplan141918lond-0049.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/q6tSRj9G)
Here's a Whitehead Sopwith Pup like with one shown in the above advertisement by forum member Kalt: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=9695.msg177247#msg177247
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Original Spy Basket
Here's an inspiring illustration of an early form of Spahkorb or observation gondola used by various airships in German service. The capture of more futuristic design headlined here back in September 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg259367#msg259367
(from The War of the Nations, Volume 8, 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/SK87cbNQ/00-00-1915-re6-the-war-of-the-nations-no-8-vol-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2qkZfJZg)
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Aerodrome Aerial
This particular photo was published in The Story of the Great War, Volume V with the caption 'The thoroughly organized French Aviation camp near Verdun, as seen by an aviator flying at a height of 500 meters (about 1640 feet)'. I think i see some Farmans to the lower left? Anyone recognize this exact locale?
(from The Aeroplane, 10 January 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/PqxNkm9g/01-10-1917-French-Aerodrome-The-Aeroplane.png) (https://postimg.cc/JsfRNB1x)
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Die alte Schule
An immediate post-war full-page tribute to the art of German airmanship.
(from Leslie's Photographic Review of the Great War, 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/4340X16Q/00-00-1919-german-flying-school-Leslie-s-photographic-review-of-the-great-war.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PCcy4YFC)
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First of the Eight
Daniel Murray Bayne 'Nigger' Galbraith trained to fly at a private school in the United States alongside fellow Canadian friends Stearne Edwards and Roy Brown (who headlined here in June 2022: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg244673#msg244673). "Galbraith earned Aero Club of America certificate no. 356 on 3 November 1915. He joined the Royal Naval Air Service and was stationed at Dover Seaplane Base on 29 May 1916. Shortly thereafter, on 12 June, he was sent to 1 Naval Wing. Three days later, while flying a Nieuport fighter, he flamed a German seaplane. He destroyed another on 28 September, before switching to the newly formed 8 Naval Squadron and its Sopwith Pups. He added four more wins in a month, from 22 October to 23 November 1916. He was withdrawn from combat for a rest on 1 December. After a spell as an instructor, he flew anti-submarine patrols in Italy in 1918" (via wikipedia). Read more Galbraith's time with the Naval Eight: https://www.naval8-208-association.com/HistoryWWI-Galbraith(1).pdf
(from the Bismarck Tribune, 12 January 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/zBxQ0cRb/01-12-1917-Galbraith-Bags-Three-Bismarck-tribune-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/tZVDgDkp)(https://i.postimg.cc/htV3Hjdq/01-12-1917-Galbraith-Bags-Three-Bismarck-tribune-12.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/zfGDB953/galbraith-3.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Prosecco Bombs
The night before last was busy. Austrians attacked Aquileja, seaplanes were shot down, and Prosecco was bombed by the Brits. At the turn of 1917, Prosecco, a village within the province of Trieste was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Located 435 kilometers north-northwest of Rome, Prosecco was also home to Trieste-Prosecco, Sgonico airfield, which, "was in use by a reconnaissance and artillery fire-adjustment base. After 1918 the region became part of Italy and the airfield fell into disuse until 1920. From 1920 until 1934 the airfield was used as an explosives storage site. A large explosion took place at the site in 1929. Between 1935 and 1940 the airfield was reverted to grassland. Between 1940 and 1943 the field became a fuel depot for the Italian Engineer Corps. After the fall of the fascist state in 1943 the base was abandoned again." (via forgottenairfields.com)
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 13 January 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/mgLsrYqT/01-13-1917-Prosecco-Shots-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/xc47xznZ)(https://i.postimg.cc/2jT3m727/Aerocampo-Prosecco.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hhzK1TFX)
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Aviation's First Machine Gun
Here's a prewar photo story of things to come. Here we have a double-decker arrangement allowing for the testing of a jacketed Lewis gun. The gunner is low enough to the ground that he could also be employed to assist with takeoff and landing - Flintstone style. I believe the first occurrence of the use of a Lewis gun in an aircraft occurred in 1912 in a Wright Model B in the United States.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 15 January 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/W31W4HYj/01-15-1914-New-Aeroplane-Gun-Auckland-Weekly-News-copy.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/p93YGqt1)
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White Eagles
This interesting image showing a flock of forfeited Fokkers under armed guard. The caption attributes the location as 'near the Forest of Ardennes'; however, the aircraft (at least the first two) exhibit the insignia of the not-quite-three-month-old Republic of Poland.
"Poland used a heterogenous mixture of equipment scrounged from the arms dumps of Prussia, Russia, and Austria or rushed from Allied surplus stocks. Initially, Austrian Oeffag-Albatros D.IIIs were the backbone of the Polish fighter force. These were supplemented by Fokker D.VIIs and D.VIIIs taken from Germany or her eastern allies and by French types. Nieuports and SPAD 7s left by the Czar's air force or captured from the Bolsheviks. A solitary Sopwith Camel served with the Kosciuzko Squadron, but this was the personal property of its American pilot. German and Austrian two-seaters were used in large numbers. Once the Allied advisory missions arrived, these types were supplemented by SPAD XIII fighters, Breguet XIV.A2 reconnaissance machines, and Italian Ansaldo A1 fighters." (via worldatwar.net)
"In January 1919, Greater Poland Branches at the Ławica Airport captured three Fokker D-VII aircraft. Lieutenant Norwid Kudło was the first Polish pilot. These aircraft became part of the 4th Squadron of Greater Poland, which was formed on March 25, 1919. Fokker D-VII planes also became part of the School of Pilots in Lawica. One of these planes was the personal machine of Adam Haber-Włyński. Until April 1919, the Greater Poland Army had a maximum of 10 Fokker D-VII aircraft. Further Fokker D-VII aircraft were bought in France from the stocks received by France under the Versailles Treaty. Poland also bought Fokker D-VII planes from the Germans who produced them at the Ostdeutsche Albatros Warke factory in Piła. There were about 50 Fokker D-VII aircraft in total in Poland. About 20 Fokker D-VII aircraft were used during the war with the Bolsheviks. In 1921, Fokker D-VII aircraft went to the 15th Fighter Squadron and all Aviation Schools. In Poland, planes were used until 1926. The last linear unit was the 116 Squadron from the 4th Air Regiment in Toruń. Fokker D-VII aircraft were operated at the School in Grudziądz until 1932." (via polot.net)
(from the New York Times Midweek Pictorial, 16 January 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/DysvH3GK/01-16-1919-Fokkers-Siezed-midweek-pictorial.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nCFf95Td)
Here's a handful of postwar Polish Fokkers in 1/72 scale by forum member hadzi: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11699.0
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Fallen 'French' Mystery Machine
It took some sleuthing to deduce the design of this supposed 'three-engined French biplane' carcass. Weren't too many of three-engined French machines flying in those days... let alone any service aircraft flying multiple Salmson motors! The Breguet XI prototype bomber had three engines, though they weren't radials. The article's publication date made it too early for the Caudron C.23 long-range night bomber, which only had two Salmons. Presumably this was a license-built Caproni Ca.3 of Italian design operating in French service with modified powerplants. Those twin petrol tanks suggest so, as do the biwheel landing gear and central pusher motor. Below is an example of Caproni Esnault Pelterie CEP 1 Bn 2 unusually equipped with two Le Rhone 80 rotary engines plus purportedly one Canton-Unne radial. Can anyone confirm this rare bird's identity?
(from The Aeroplane, 17 January 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/yYmS5Tff/01-17-1917-French-Bomber-Down-The-Aeroplane.png) (https://postimg.cc/mtrD17WM)(https://i.postimg.cc/gcvsWzhz/Screenshot-2025-01-18-at-1-24-54-PM.png) (https://postimg.cc/pyLzQtk4)
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White Eagles
This interesting image showing a flock of forfeited Fokkers under armed guard. The caption attributes the location as 'near the Forest of Ardennes'; however, the aircraft (at least the first two) exhibit the insignia of the not-quite-three-month-old Republic of Poland.
It may be a correct description. I think I once read a discussion if one photographed Fokker was Polish. Some German planes had black-white chequerboard emblem painted on them too. Also the first Fokker on photo clearly has a chequerboard painted directly on the top of hull too, which is uncommon for Polish Fokkers.
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It may be a correct description. I think I once read a discussion if one photographed Fokker was Polish. Some German planes had black-white chequerboard emblem painted on them too. Also the first Fokker on photo clearly has a chequerboard painted directly on the top of hull too, which is uncommon for Polish Fokkers.
Good insight!
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Friedrichshafen Found
Another mystery machine in need of identification! Based on the reportage I'm guessing this adrift seaplane might have been a Friedrichshafen F.19. It is surmised that the aircraft was 'connected with the raid on Cuxhaven' (which headlined here two years back: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg251267#msg251267). According to the great and wise oracle (wikipedia):
"Built in small numbers, the aircraft first flew in 1914 and saw service during the early months of World War I, mostly conducting maritime patrols over the North Sea, although they did attack British ships participating in the Raid on Cuxhaven at the end of the year. The British... {tenders positioned} north-east of Heligoland to hoist out their floatplanes on the morning of 25 December. The Germans had been alerted to the possibility of an imminent attack on their North Sea ports and were launching Zeppelins to search for any attackers that morning. A FF.19 on patrol spotted the Harwich Force after they had begun to move westward and had to return to Heligoland to deliver its report since it lacked a radio. The base alerted L.6 via searchlight to the presence of the British ships. As the Zeppelin attempted to close the range on the British, the carrier Empress, the slowest of the carriers, was lagging behind. It was unsuccessfully attacked by a FF.19 with six 4.5-kilogram (9.9 lb) bombs from an altitude of about 2,000 feet (610 m) and then by a Friedrichshafen FF.29 with two 10-kilogram (22 lb) bombs that landed closer, but failed to inflict any damage before the airship could attack. Later that morning, after the carrier Riviera had recovered the only aircraft to return to the carriers, {one who didn't return headlined here in January 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg251186#msg251186}, the Harwich Force was again attacked by FF.19s from Heligoland. One aircraft dropped five bombs on destroyers and the other attacked a cruiser with two bombs, none of which hit their targets. During this operation one FF.19 remained airborne for five hours and 52 minutes."
Might anyone have further info on this incident?
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 18 January 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/FszPxwMS/01-18-1915-Derelict-German-Seaplane-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/nC8YFScV)
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Albatros Apprehended
News from the Eastern Front of a captured German plane.
(from the Australian Town and Country Journal, 19 January 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/SKh9d9wY/01-19-1916-Russian-Booty-Australian-Town-and-Country-Journal.png) (https://postimg.cc/QFfVxFNj)(https://i.postimg.cc/tTVsWt5x/1551821533133990466.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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White Warbird
"On no front, not on the sun-scorched plains of Mesopotamia, nor in the frozen Mazurian marshes, nor in the blood-soaked mud of Flanders, does the fighting man lead so arduous an existence as up here on the roof of the world."
This is journalist E. Alexander Powel's 1917 description of the 'White War' between Austria and Italy - a conflict spreading along the Dolomites and Alps, often at an altitude above 2,000m. And ascending all that allegedly flies an Austrian aviator as he's 'assailed' by allied anti-aircraft guns. I suspect this picture story, which appears to show a Bleriot XI, is apocryphal. Was the Kaiserliche und Konigliche Luftfahrtruppen ever equipped with Bleriots? How many Bleriots were still in service anywhere in 1916? Interestingly the Alps were famously traversed by a Bleriot XI (piloted by Swiss pioneer aviator Oskar Bider) before the Great War. The following 1913 photo of his exploit show him piloting his monoplane... at the exact same angle as the baby Bleriot aloft in this photo. Hmmmm...
(from the Bendigonian, 20 January 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/4NVZnMw6/01-20-1916-Over-the-Alps-Bendigonian.png) (https://postimg.cc/8jpx0Z2c)(https://i.postimg.cc/ZqxYDQXP/Oskar-Bider-1913-Bern.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VS5cJKf5)
Further reading: Melting Glaciers Have Exposed Frozen Relics of World War I
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/08/world/europe/italy-glacier-wwi-artifacts.html
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Poison Voisin?
A celebrated cricketeer and Coldstream Guard, Esme Fairfax Chinnery earned Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate #210 piloting a Deperdussin monoplane in April 1912. Thereafter he transferred to No.4 Squadron Royal Flying Corps. On the first day of the 1913 Army Manoeuvres that September he and future Air Marshall sir Patrick Playfair survived a crash landing in a stalled Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2a (serial #227). By September 1914 Chinnery had crossed the Channel with the British Expeditionary Force and promoted to Captain and Flight Leader. Alas, he was the first of several No.4 Squadron's pilots to fall in the new year of 1915... though ironically in this instance as a passenger. Flight magazine delivers the details while faulting shoddy factory work:
"A Voisin biplane with two aviators fell in Paris at the Pont de Grenelle on January 18th, owing to the breaking of the controls. The accident was attributed to a broken control wire, but one report from a reliable source states that a brazed joint in the control pillar gave way, and the whole thing came adrift in the pilot's hands. He endeavoured to reach the Seine with rudder control only, but struck the bank only a few yards from the water which might have saved them both. The petrol tank took fire, and the passenger, Captain Chinnery, was burned to death. The pilot, named La-Porte, had both legs broken, and received internal injuries to which he succumbed in the Boucicaut Hospital. The first Voisins of the big type were fairly well made, but one learns that in the later ones, probably owing to pressure for delivery, the workmanship is appalling, and the detail design is distinctly dangerous. In fact, they have been described to the writer as veritable death-traps."
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 21 January 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/mDCgTj88/01-21-1915-Voisin-Crash-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/pTH4wJ7f/IMG-4376-1100x733-inset.webp) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via thebignote.com)
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Mid-Air Maintenance
This looks to be a Parseval semi-rigid airship. But are they really replacing a propeller?
(from The War of the Nations; No. 12, Vol.1, 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/cJpVDkYS/00-00-1915-seaplanes-the-war-of-the-nations-no-12-vol-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5Hm7y3n7)
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I somehow doubt it, unless they happened to be carrying a spare propeller on board. Maybe a drive shaft problem?
You can do in-flight repairs in a dirigible craft. Not so easy to do on an airplane!
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I somehow doubt it, unless they happened to be carrying a spare propeller on board. Maybe a drive shaft problem?
You can do in-flight repairs in a dirigible craft. Not so easy to do on an airplane!
haha True!
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Manufacturing Monocoques
This streamlined fuselage lineup looks to be a string of LWF Model V biplanes. 130 examples of this type were built; most serving domestically in the United States. The Czechoslovakian Air Force (Československ letectvo) acquired twenty-eight second-hand airplanes, a few of these were subsequently operated third-hand by the Soviet Glavvozduhflot Air Force upon capture.
The Lowe, Willard & Fowler Engineering Company was founded in December 1915. Within months Fowler and Willard left and the acronym was repurposed to refer to 'Laminated Wood Fuselage' or 'Linen, Wire and Fabric'. By the time of today's publication Lowe had also departed the company. It underwent bankruptcy in 1924.
Fun fact: A modified Model V became the first airplane to fly using the famous 400 hp Liberty L-12 motor.
(from the Australian Town and Country Journal, 23 January 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/HLr4yRBD/01-23-1918-American-Planes-Australian-Town-and-Country-Journal.png) (https://postimg.cc/LqM1dycN)
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Winged Warriors Fight at Heaven's Gate
If you were one of the 14,000 citizens of Keokuk (Iowa's southern-most city) and caught today's front-page story you would have been introduced, possibly for the first time, to the thrills of air combat. Of course the war was barely six-months old and aerial combat had yet to be codified. The article includes mention of two future airmen of note - Vice Admiral Richard Bell Davies VC, CB, DSO, AFC (who first headlined here last January. https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg262001#msg262001); and Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Edmund Charles Peirse KCB, DSO, AFC. Their deeds one day prior to this publication will earn them both the DSO.
Fun fact: One of Keokuk's residents was nine-year-old Howard Hughes. Fifteen years on he will produce and direct the legendary WW1 air-combat epic 'Hell's Angels'. Perhaps today's news inspired him?
(from the Daily Gate City, 24 January 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/HnD4yDpv/01-24-1915-Flock-of-Seagulls-Daily-Gate-City-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/sQmZkLG5)
(https://i.postimg.cc/zDcxq6Zh/01-24-1915-Flock-of-Seagulls-Daily-Gate-City-2.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hGmX7Jfg/01-24-1915-Flock-of-Seagulls-Daily-Gate-City-3.png) (https://postimg.cc/VSYfxkqH)(https://i.postimg.cc/vH6wy5jQ/01-24-1915-Flock-of-Seagulls-Daily-Gate-City-4.png) (https://postimg.cc/SJqv7Yk5)
Today you can get a glimpse of some Hell's Angels action in full color thanks to this brilliant build by forum member KitRookie37: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13110.msg244361#msg244361
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Rat Dropping
There's a stowaway aboard the world's largest operational aircraft on an epic historical 'first' flight. 'Old Carthusian' (serial #J1936) was with a trio of brand-new Handley Page V/1500 bombers delivered to No. 166 Squadron during the final weeks of the Great War with a special mission to bomb Berlin (as reported here in December 2022: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg250116#msg250116). One month after the Armistice this particular 'Super Handley' was assigned to make the first flight from England to India. The multi-week through route departed from England with layovers in Rome, Malta, Cairo, and Baghdad, before reaching Karachi. Somewhere en route a four-legged critter hitched a ride and was heard 'nibbling' (possibly on the mail being carried aboard?) for some time. In five months' time Old Carthusian will be in the skies over Afghanistan for a bombing raid on Kabul.
(from the Herald of Wales, 25 January 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/RZzTk0m9/01-25-1919-Rat-Stowaway-Herald-of-Wales.png)[url=https://postimages.org/](https://i.postimg.cc/C1XmQHJL/IMG-20200821-0002-jpg-12ecf8025a5850bce470e6318a09c982.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YhbggMjy)
Following is an image of an original air-mail photo-postcard (showing a different machine) that was auctioned somewhat recently for AUD $6,000.
(https://i.postimg.cc/43GsHpTM/Screenshot-2025-01-31-at-9-52-58-PM.png) (https://postimg.cc/PCSBBpJz)
Bonus: here's some archival film footage of an HP alighting in Calcutta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGeBmDjKxJk&t=2s
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Billy Bishop
This post-war photo portrait spotlights the great Canadian ace. For those who may not know: "After the war, Bishop toured the principal cities in the United States and lectured on aerial warfare. He established an importing firm, Interallied Aircraft Corporation, and a short-lived passenger air service with fellow ace William Barker, but after legal and financial problems, and a serious crash, the partnership and company were dissolved." (via wikipedia)
(from The Sun, 26 January 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/nh4g952K/01-26-1919-Bishop-Portrait-The-Sun.png) (https://postimg.cc/NK0pWdWL)
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Wasser Doppeldecker
These two takes on the same subject one day apart show differing depths of journalistic detail. The first one seems like they faked it on the exam with the claim: "The driver's seat is above that of the observer" and "The guns being in the boat below"? :o
(respectively from the Auckland Weekly News and the Sydney Mail; 27, 26 January 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Qx00L3fy/01-27-1916-Abatros-Floatplane-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/mDfS32rt/01-26-1916-Albatros-Hydroplane-Sydney-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/1gB6sSwQ)
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'How Bombs Are Dropped'
If you think yesterday's reportage from the Auckland Weekly News was suspect, what's your opinion of their story today?
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 28 January 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/1tsq5gtc/01-28-1915-How-Bombs-are-Dropped-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Big Bomb
Just four days back we read about one of the Super Handley V/1500 prepped to bomb Berlin on the very last night of the War to End All Wars. Today's post purports to show one of the bombs intended for that raid. Though the article describes the subject specimen as 15ft long and 3,300 lbs, which are the measurements for the 'Major SN' to have been introduced in that aborted raid, this looks to be more like the 1650b SN bomb. It remains the largest aerial ordnance used operationally during WWI. Dimensional differences between these two types were pictured in this past post: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg250116#msg250116. Looks to be a captured German machine in the immediate background. Anyone recognize it?
(from the Sydney Mail, 29 January 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/bJK381K6/01-29-1919-1650-Bomb-for-Berlin-Sydney-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/JD5b5H7J)
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Hurrah For The Next Man Who Dies
(from the Illustrated War News, 30 January 1918)
(https://i.postimg.cc/pT1Z246Y/01-30-1918-Mesopotamian-Grave-Illustrated-War-News.png) (https://postimg.cc/9RZTb8Vr)
For further reading on sepoys in service: https://www.livemint.com/Politics/isDpzUX2Qp71kvpLPWauvI/Indian-sepoys-who-bore-the-white-mans-burden.html
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Pane via Aeroplane
Just over a week ago we received a report on the 'White War' between Austria and Italy, which featured a rather spurious photo story. Today's artist interpretation of another aircraft engagement in an actual event that looks much more convincing.
"The Battle of Vittorio Veneto was witness to what must be considered the first successful resupply by air of four Italian divisions cut off by flooding and lost pontoon bridges. Critically short of ammunition and food, Italian aircraft supplied tons of material via parachute and airdrop to the beleaguered troops. As much as Verdun or Gallipoli, the attrition on Monte Grappa embodies the Great War. But this rarely mentioned battlefield has another quality that makes its story additionally dramatic. Imagine the Somme with a two thousand foot elevation gain for every mile." (via mrburnsenglishclass.com)
(from the Aukland Weekly News, 31 January 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/RVBVZhxh/01-31-1918-Bread-Bombc-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Read more on this conflict here: https://mrburnsenglishclass.com/wp-content/eng4/FarewellWebsite/MonteGrappaH.pdf
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Eleven From the Fifth
The latest in prewar aero-engine technology is on display at the fifth and final Paris Air Show before the Great War's interruption. Number 7 is of course my personal fave. The next show will not occur until 1919. How many of these motors have you built?
(from Aircraft Magazine, February 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/BZT9nCg9/02-00-1914-aircraft419131914newy-0317-copy.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Lh80yLwN)
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Americans 'War Birds' Abroad
Some interesting views of a 'hydroplane camp'.
(from Leslie's Photographic Review of the Great War, 1919):
((https://i.postimg.cc/k4GjNtY7/00-00-1919-Italian-war-birds-Leslie-s-photographic-review-of-the-great-war.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CByHSdV2)
To go along with today's story, here's an amazing build of an Italian Macchi M.5 in 1/32 by forum member Mike Norris (UK):
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14355.msg264026#msg264026
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View From a Gun
This anonymous artist's interpretation on a 'battle-plane duel' puts us viewers behind the trigger of a Lewis 'automatic gun' in what looks to be the tub of a British 'gunbus'... but with a canard configuration? Regardless of inaccuracies, it provides insightful perspective on what the thrill of air combat during the height of the 'Fokker Scourge'.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 3 February 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/GmhyqBsf/02-03-1916-View-from-a-Gun-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rK3spwjG)
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Vedrines' Victories
The first man to fly faster than 100 mph is being feted for his flying feats with multiple medals. He soon will have spent over 1,000 hours in the air for the French military. Though France's famous pioneer pilot Jules Vedrines never attained ace status he survived the war... only to be killed soon after in a flying accident. A story we're read here before many times. Below he is shown sporting his medals aside his Morane-Saulnier monoplane.
(from the Washington Times, 4 February 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/VLc6ZYrb/02-04-1915-Vedrines-Honored-Washington-Times.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/TwVwfSBP/1915-Aviateurs-7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gX0dKMz9)
(image via histoire-de-la-douane.org)
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Enemy Overhead
(from the Abergavenny Chronicle, 5 February 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Hkv39vZj/02-05-1915-Head-Up-Abergavenny-Chronicle.png) (https://postimg.cc/rDWS8jLL)
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"Avanti Ancora Italia"
Though this photo is low-resolution it clearly demonstrates the dimensional differences between this Caproni couplet. The first looks to be a Ca. 4, and the second a Ca.18.
(from the Illustrated War News, 6 February 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/VNdSXDpf/02-06-1918-Caproni-Illustrated-War-News-copy.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Fallen Friedrichshafen
Though generically dubbed a 'Gotha' in today's pictorial, this machine looks more to me like a Friedrichshafen G.III in need of a nose job. Over 730 varying examples of the type were built. Supposedly downed near Soissons... anyone know more about this incident?
(from the New York Times Midweek Pictorial, 7 February 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/T2CVZT5h/02-07-1918-sim-midweek-pictorial-1918-02-07-6-23-0019.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/z3HHhZj1)
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Short Story
Risk your chances remaining adrift in wintry North Sea waters or face prison for the foreseeable future... which would you choose? This steadfast crew of two in their downed Short Folder chose the former until being assuaged by their would-be Dutch rescuers that they would be release upon arrival at Rotterdam. Brave souls as far as I'm concerned.
(respectively from the Auckland Weekly News, 8 February 1915; and the Daily British Whig, 21 January 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/1zfyxMcX/02-08-1915-Picked-up-in-the-North-Sea-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/Fswb8bdZ/01-21-1915-Brits-Rescued-Daily-Brittish-Whig.png) (https://postimg.cc/xcybbzPJ)
Though unrelated to our story, this is the second time in three months the steamship Orn has made international news. Read more here: https://meelzak.annelienvankempen.nl/blogeng/thanksgiving-ship-orn/
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'Brotherhood of Fractured Birdmen'
Are you eligible?
(respectivel from the Aspen Democrat, 9 February 1915; and Hearst's Sunday American, 31 January 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Bnc0M80v/02-09-1915-Brotherhood-of-Fractured-Birdmen-Aspen-Democrat-Times.png) (https://postimg.cc/xXChd1qr)(https://i.postimg.cc/y8zKmm25/01-31-1915-Birdmen-Hearst-s-Sunday-American.png) (https://postimg.cc/vcXCMVYL)
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Wonderful Woman
Katherine Stinson, the 'plucky' pioneer 'aviatrice' first headlined here back in 2022 when she was denied the right fly and fight in the United States Army Air Service: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg250923#msg250923).
Today she flies over Tanforan Park, located outside San Francisco, California. Tanforan hosted the second-ever aviation event in the United States in January 1910, just one week after an inaugural show in Los Angeles. It was converted into a military training camp in the summer of 1917. The 'Grizzlies' mentioned in today's news were a volunteer regiment organized as the 144th Field Artillery of the United States Army. About 1500 Grizzlies served overseas. Stinson's fund-raising aerial exhibitions there also set a nonstop solo flight distance record of 610 miles (from San Diego) in the process. Also mentioned is fellow pioneer pilot Tom Gunn, who headlined here back in December 2022: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg250070#msg250070.
Stinson looks to be posing on the wheel of an LWF biplane, which made news here last month: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.msg272486#msg272486.
(from the Birmingham Age Herald, 20 February 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/QdTCP33H/02-10-1918-Stimson-medal-Birmingham-age-herald.png) (https://postimg.cc/5XffYDjV)
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Meanwhile, Back East...
What's going on with the canted corners on this German airplane's insignia? Loosely translated: "GERMAN AIRPLANE DESCENDED BY THE RUSSIANS Russian aviators carry out very bold re-acquaintances. Their devices, equipped with machine guns, also allow them to hunt the 'Tauben'"
(from J'ai vu, 11 February 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/sgd5SZHH/02-11-1915-wreck-J-ai-vu-copy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Reversal of Fortune
These Germans have turned the tables on their French adversaries using their own firepower with a captured anti-aircraft gun.
(from Truth, Perth; 12 February 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/t48wkvCW/02-12-1916-Captured-French-Gun-Truth-Perth.png) (https://postimg.cc/hXb2Prmt)
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Cool Audacity
(from Llais Llafur, 23 February 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/t4mbdgWv/02-13-1915-Cool-Russian-Llais-Llafur.png) (https://postimg.cc/WdrxTT90)
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Ace Lost at Sea
New Zealander Lieutenant Carrick Stewart Paul DFC piloted his Bristol F.2 Fighter (serial #C4627) to acedom over Palestine during the summer of 1918.
"...Paul claimed two victories on 23 May 1918, near Nablus. One of the two Albatros D.Vs was piloted by German ace Gustav Schneidewind, who was wounded in both arms. Paul then destroyed Rumpler reconnaissance planes on 13 June, 28 July, and 16 August 1918. The July win was shared with Alan Brown and Garfield Finlay. Paul and his observer William Weir were jointly awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 8 February 1919. Paul never knew of the honor; while on the voyage home to New Zealand, he drowned on 22 January 1919." (via wikipedia)
Paul is said to have fallen overboard from his transport ship 'after overbalancing while recovering a quoit that had gone under a lifeboat. He was seen in the water after falling in, but could not be found when the ship returned to pick him up'. Painfully, today's news snippet notes his wartime achievements not realizing he was already dead.
(from the Melbourne Herald, 14 February 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/5Nc2SxYp/02-14-1919-Carrick-Paul-Melboure-Herald.png) (https://postimages.org/)
Paul's particular plane was known among his Turkish adversaries:
"The 'Yellow Peril' - I've forgotten her number - was not the easiest machine to fly, but no-one wished her any harm, with the possible exception of the enemy. (Carrick ) Stewart Paul and his offsider Bill Weir, could handle the Peril, and knew how to use their guns. I remember seeing, from a grand stand seat, the Yellow Peril and it's crew demonstrate how the job should be done. They were, or rather the Yellow Peril was, on the tail of a Hun two-seater. The poor wretch tried hard to dive away, but after Paul had fired about ten rounds it disintegrated. Just fell to bits. However the speciality of the Yellow Peril was a cavalry camp, and when it swooped down hectic things used to happen. I mentioned that Paul and Weir could use their guns. Because of it, this anti-cavalry turn of theirs earned them a unique distinction. They were specially mentioned in Turkish orders as follows; 'All ranks are instructed to take immediate cover upon the approach of the YELLOW ENGLISH AEROPLANE.' Paul and Weir certainly wrote that name on the Turkish memory in letters of fire - machine gun fire. This idividualising of machines was not cofined to squadrons in the line." (via militarian.com)
Here's a build of 'Yellow Peril' by modeler VickersVandal over at the Unofficial Airfix Modeller's Foum:
(https://i.postimg.cc/8cddPZf6/20210508-164803-copy-800x451.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Quiet Conqueror
"He never spoke about it. He just said I was in the war and that was it.", recalled Jean Yearsley one-hundred years after her uncle, Second Lieutenant Ian Vernon Pyott, single-handedly shot down Zeppelin L-34 on the night of 27 November 1916. Pyott was piloting a Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c (Serial #2738) armed with incendiary bullets - a recent innovation. Upon interception, "Both Pyott and the airship turned sharply eastwards and flew next to each other for about five miles during which stage he fired 71 rounds at the airship. "I was aiming at his port quarter and noticed first a small patch become incandescent where I had seen tracers entering his envelope. ?I first took it for a machine-gun firing at me, but this patch rapidly spread and the next thing the whole Zepp was in flames", he said. The last bomb had barely exploded on the ground when the airship was completely engulfed with flames. The engines could still be heard and the doomed airship continued on its easterly course, passing almost directly over St Hilda?s Church tower in Hartlepool. L-34 plunged into the sea a 915 metres from the shore and sank where the water was in 40 fathoms deep. During its decent it assumed a perpendicular position, falling nose first, and breaking in two with the largest section falling faster and burning much more fiercely. Hollander, watching from the Zeppelin L 22, described the scene. ?There appeared a crimson ball of fire, which rapidly increased in size. "A minute later we recognised the glowing skeleton of an airship falling in flames," he said.". (via aircraftinvestigation.info)
Pyott's feat did not earn him the fame of prior 'Zeppelin Killers' such as Reginald Warneford or William Leefe Robinson; both of whom were awarded the Victoria Cross. Pyott doesn't even have his own wikipedia page. He subsequently flew on the Western Front achieving just one more aerial kill later that year. After the Armistice he returned home to South Africa and ran a factory; dying in 1972. "To hear what he actually did is wonderful", his niece noted near the centenary of his first victory.
(from the Bryan Daily Eagle and Pilot, 15 February 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/gjkThP18/02-15-1917-Pyott-Gets-Zepp-Bryan-Daily-Eagle-and-Pilot.png) (https://postimg.cc/0MFnghky)(https://i.postimg.cc/cCPyMQ6M/488658-a49cec4b1c85439f857def833013cb77-mv2.avif) (https://postimg.cc/JH32RHNG)(https://i.postimg.cc/NF9ZM5by/Le-Petit-Journal-December-21-1916-Cropped.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LgSxQ4cR)
Fun fact - the neice of Pyott's opponent, Kapitanleutnant Max Dietrich, commander of the L 34, was screen-legend Marlene Dietrich who would later go on to renounce her German citizenship and support the allied cause in the next world war.
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'Blimps'
Another great Great War sobriquet surfaces in the press today. One of those words that everyone knows yet none can pinpoint its origin.
"non-rigid airship," 1916, of obscure origin, with many claimants (even J.R.R. Tolkien had a guess at it). "One of the weird coinages of the airmen" [Weekley]. Common theory (which dates to 1919) is that it is from the designers' prototype nickname Type B-limp, in the sense of "without internal framework," as opposed to Type A-rigid; thus see limp (adj.), but references are wanting. There apparently was a type b in the U.S. military's development program for airships in World War I." (via etymonline.com)
"The Oxford English Dictionary notes its use in print in 1916: "Visited the Blimps ... this afternoon at Capel". In 1918, the Illustrated London News said that it was "an onomatop?ic name invented by that genius for apposite nomenclature, the late Horace Short". Barnes and James in Shorts Aircraft since 1900 {state}: In February 1915 the need for anti-submarine patrol airships became urgent, and the Submarine Scout type was quickly improvised by hanging an obsolete B.E.2c fuselage from a spare Willows envelope; this was done by the R.N.A.S. at Kingsnorth, and on seeing the result for the first time, Horace Short, already noted for his very apt and original vocabulary, named it "Blimp", adding, "What else would you call it?" (via wikipedia)
Just for fun, here's a chart below that tracks the vernacular usage of 'blimp' over the past century.
(from Leslie's Photographic Review of the Great War, 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/R0Yn1MjB/00-00-1919-Blimp-Hunt-Leslie-s-photographic-review-of-the-great-war.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3ygRYH8S)
(https://i.postimg.cc/PqKn0Jdg/Screenshot-2025-02-16-at-7-10-39-PM.png) (https://postimg.cc/Fff6L9dp)
(image via etymonline.com)
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Wight Goes Wrong
"Flying is cruel..." laments a young pilot in a letter home. "...no fun at all". This poignant passage portrays the unease early aviators faced - exposure to bitter elements, placing one's fate in the hands of mechanics, learning to 'loop the loop', disparity of pay among pilots, and of course - machine failure. That is what happened to Lieutenant W.S. Miller during the winter of 1915-1916.
Though this article's headline reads 'With the Royal Flying Corps', Miller was actually one of a hundred men alongside thirty-one aircraft then stationed at Great Yarmouth Royal Naval Air Station. Miller also shares his experience taking a 'dip' in the English Channel in a Wight Admiralty Type 840 that ended up "on the bottom of the North Sea". This may be serial #1303, which is recorded has having been 'wrecked off Great Yarmouth' on 10 December 1915.
(from the Auckland Star, 17 February 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/L8CfHsqF/02-17-1916-Wight-Seaplane-Auckland-Star-1.png) (https://postimg.cc/Sn9jdk7g)(https://i.postimg.cc/J73CSDg0/02-17-1916-Wight-Seaplane-Auckland-Star-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/G9pfy2bn)(https://i.postimg.cc/GmWYfmHL/imgexec-13213.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4Y1m7Z6q)
(image via ukairfieldguide.net)
(https://i.postimg.cc/BZHk6MrN/aeroplane111916lond-0119.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PNf2Vzr8)
(image: The Aeroplane, 19 July 1916)
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Allenby's Albatros
"At 7.30am Oberleutnant Gustav Adolf Dittmar of Fliegerabteilung 300 stepped into his Albatros (serial # 636/17) along with a comrade piloting another aircraft. This morning as he flew into the air, he did not know of an event that was to change the nature of the air war in Palestine - the introduction of the Bristol to the air strip at Deir el Belah. That morning Second Lieutenant RC Steele [a Canadian] and Lieutenant JJ Lloyd-Williams from 111 Squadron took off from Deir el Belah with two other aircraft for their morning patrol.
At 8am the three British aircraft came into contact with the two Taubes. Much to the shock of Dittmar, he was outgunned and outmanoeuvered by this new aircraft. A bullet through his petrol tank and another through the radiator ended his flight. The aeroplane glided to a smooth landing between Goz el Basal and Karm.
Some men of the 9th Light Horsemen who were on outpost work on the west side of Goz el Basal immediately mounted and galloped out to where the aeroplane had landed. They arrived at the same time as Dittmar was attempting to set light to the aircraft. A couple yelled instructions and a few rifles waving wildly convinced Dittmar that his downed aircraft was not worth dying for so he awaited capture. It didn't take long for dozens of men to arrive and marvel at the captive aeroplane. A gun limber was brought up and the aeroplane attached like a jinker on the limber and was carted off to British lines. Later on the aeroplane was dismantled and sent to London for examination. As for Dittmar, he spent his first night of captivity as guest to the British at Deir el Belah and then onto a POW camp in Egypt where he spent the rest of his war." (via alh-research.tripod.com)
What happened to the three main subjects of today's story? Dittmar was released from British captivity at the end of 1919. In the Second World War he reported to have worked for Junkers Flugzeug und Motorenwerke AG, and was a 'political counterintelligence officer presumably kidnapped by the russians in 1945'. Edmund 'The Bull' Allenby was promoted to Field Marshall and created Viscount Allenby in 1919. He left quite a footprint in the Middle East, eventually becoming the defacto governor of Egypt for a spell. Bits of the captured Albatros survive, such as the fabric sample shown here (via adf-serials.com.au).
(from the Illustrated War News, 18 February 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/qRKvfHb8/02-18-1918-nsillustratedwar08londuoft-0162.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/47JgtqTd)
(https://i.postimg.cc/d1cjcwQF/downed-plane1-web.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via anzacs.org)
(https://i.postimg.cc/c4Wknq36/P025170-me.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)key tester (https://keyboardtester.co/keyboard-tester)
A photograph of the same image from today's headline is in the Australian War Memorial collection is captioned: "Weli Sheikh Nuran, Palestine. 10 October 1917. A German Air Force D III Albatros Scout aircraft, D636/17, flown by Oberleutnant Gustav Adolf Dittmar of Fliegerabteilung 300 unit. The aircraft had been shot down, practically intact, into AIF Light Horse lines near Bersheeba by a Bristol fighter aircraft flown by Lieutenant R. Steele a Canadian pilot with No 111 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. No 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, members recovered the machine and moved it to their airfield where repairs, including a bullet holed radiator, were carried out returning it to flying condition. This photograph shows General Allenby inspecting the aircraft; by this time British Palmer cord aero tyres had been fitted."
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'Wings of Love'
While the air war rages over Europe across the Atlantic love is in the clouds. It's an American news story we've read before - rich guy marries movie star. Only this time the groom is aviation pioneer Lawrence Burst Sperry, inventor of the autopilot and the artificial horizon. Two days prior the war film 'From Two to Six' starring the bride, Winnifred Allen, had just been released. Sperry, who as one point was the youngest licensed pilot in America, has been recently involved in the design work of what was then commonly called an 'aerial torpedo' - the Hewitt-Sperry Automatic Airplane and the Curtiss-Sperry Flying Bomb (shown below), which three week's hence will achieve "For the first time in history, an unmanned, heavier-than-air vehicle had flown in controlled flight" (per wikipedia). In this midst of all this the couple found time to enjoy the first 'honeymoon in the clouds'. I love how the reporter suggests that anti-aircraft guns would be needed to throw rice on the newlyweds! This nuptual novelty reminds me of the autogyro wedding scene from the film 'It Happened One Night': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUVwHGpoasM.
(respectively from the South Bend News-Times, 19 February 1918; and the Meade County News, 28 March 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/pVwRr0sX/02-19-1918-Wings-of-Love-South-Bend-News-Times.png) (https://postimg.cc/SjfwtG0w)(https://i.postimg.cc/HWQP0BpL/02-19-03-28-1918-Honey-Moon-in-clouds-Meade-County-news.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/GtkCZ54p/440px-From-Two-to-Six-1918-poster.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/pTptkdQR/Sperry-add.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/nhSxm770/curtiss-sperry-n9-copy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via airminded.org)
Fun Fact: Speaking of 'wings of love' and 'aerial torpedoes', Lawrence 'Burst' Sperry is renowned for another pioneering aviation achievement - being considered the founder of the 'Mile High Club'! However, his historic 'first' was not achieved on his honeymoon flight with Winnifred Allen, but rather two years earlier with a different socialite. "Pilot/engineer Lawrence Sperry and socialite Dorothy Rice Sims have been described as the first persons to engage in sex while flying in an airplane; the two flew in an autopilot-equipped Curtiss Flying Boat near New York in November 1916". Sims was described in the contemporary press as "an expert in motorcycle racing, flying and sculptoring, but her bridge ability was just moderate". (per wikipedia). Perhaps now we know what inspired Sperry to invent the self-flying airplane? Alas, just five years later in 1923 he was disappeared while flying across the English Channel in his Sperry M-1 Messenger biplane and was never seen again. One wonders if his autopilot was on?
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Air Warriors
Two views today of Austro-Hungarian aviators posing for the photographer.
(from Unsere Krieger Bilder Aus Groszer Zeit Heft, 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/wx0NDMw7/00-00-1915-c-type-Unsere-Krieger-Bilder-aus-groszer-Zeit-Heft-jpeg.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QVKV38G3)
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"Far-Eastern Ally"
A handful of Japanese aviators flew for France during the Great War. Five notables include Shigeno Kiyotake, Kobayashi Shukunosuke (who headlined here back in June 2022: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg245395#msg245395), Isobe Onokichi, Ishibashi Katsunami, and Moro Goroku. Here's an interesting webpage dedicated to 'Pilotes Japonaise' over at albidenis.freefr: http://albindenis.free.fr/Site_escadrille/Pilotes_Japon.htm. I'm not sure if today's particular pilot, posing before a Nieuport 12, is among those photographed there... might anyone have a clue? Also, can anyone identify the insignia on the side of the airplane? Let's do some sleuthing!
(from the Illustrated War News, 21 February 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/G2S3wspH/02-21-1917-Japanese-Aviator-Illustrated-War-News.png) (https://postimg.cc/qhyH2qyT)
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Air Battle over Brzeziny
Two Russian pilots, one a 'civilian volunteer', win a game of leapfrog over two German 'aeroplanists' where each combatant fought by dropping bombs over each other! Does anyone know more of this early-war report or the full identities of M. Opatoff or Lieutenant Grigorieff?
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 22 February 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/FKLccHtk/02-22-1915-Eastern-Front-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/Ffh7XmHh)(https://i.postimg.cc/fLpPFYWf/s-l1600-copy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Night Raiders
You're in the pilot's seat tonight! This thrilling view, featured here on two different magazine covers, give you a cockpit perspective of the Handley Page O/400. Searchlights and shadows, 'archie' and unseen adversaries... Are you bold enough to be a night raider?
(respectively from O Espelho, 23 February 1918; and The Sphere, 9 February 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/wBwHSdH9/02-23-1919-OEspelho-N26-23-Fev1918-0415.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QBKRTwHz)(https://i.postimg.cc/sXt2NR9v/02-23-09-1918-handley-page-the-sphere.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Q9JsFwz3)
If you can deal with the dated CGI, jump to the 3:15 mark in this combat clip from the 2006 film 'Flyboys', for a quick reminder of how dangerous it was to battle in these bombers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBSJBCkbYuc
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Royal Raid Relic
'Quick we're being shelled! Go down to the cellar!', exclaimed Mrs. Youden of Dover, England, to her son on Christmas Eve, 1914. They heard and felt the first aerial bomb ever to be dropped on the United Kingdom. "We didn't then know that it was possible for an aeroplane to come over and drop bombs in anger." the boy would recall 75 years later.
In 1914 the Germans had offered a prize for the first German airman to bomb Dover or Britain. The first attempt, on 21st December, saw both bombs land in the sea near the Admiralty Pier. Then just before 11am on Christmas Eve 1914 a German Friedrichshafen FF29 aeroplane of the See Flieger Abteilung 1 (Seaplane Unit No.1 or SFA 1) flew over Dover unarmed except for a bomb carried by Lieutenant Alfred von Prondzynski {shown here}, between his knees. Although not the pilot he claimed the prize and made history as the first person to drop a bomb from a plane on Britain. At the time the only way to drop a bomb was to lift it by hand, hold it over the side of the plane and let go when the bomber thought he could hit the target.
The material damage of this sole German seaplane's sortie was minimal, though it is said to have knocked a gardener out of a tree behind St James's Rectory near Taswell Street. But this inaugural air raid's impact was enough that a fragment of the bomb was presented to King George V. Today this fragment resides within its original reliquary in the collection of the Imperial War Museum (shown here).
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 24 February 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/pd6JwBx6/02-24-1915-King-Gets-Bomb-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/GBvDYG4F)
(https://i.postimg.cc/W4XyYy9L/Lt-Prondzynski.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/yW4cTVc1/Dover-bomb-plaque-1920w.webp) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/x8TjLLN9/79929088-fa5a31d6-ffc3-4ef4-8aa1-e16727d5c4e0-jpg.webp) (https://postimages.org/)
(images respectively via thedoversociety.co.uk, iancastlezeppelin.co.uk, and bbc.com)
Here's a centennial article on this first raid from the BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-30597902
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Giant Guns to Level London
Look out above! Following yesterday's story on the first-ever aerial bombing of Britain, here's a headline intended to scare the pants off of your English ancestors.
(from the Evening Journal, 25 February 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Njt8KqT6/02-25-1916-Giant-Flying-Guns-Fokker-Evening-Journal.png) (https://postimg.cc/tYrnccBJ)
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Cross for Christiansen
A Frisian sea captain's son flies high today in reward for his dedicated seaplane exploits. Naval aviator Friedrich Christiansen has been stationed at Zeebrugge since August 1914. Over the year and some he has been stationed there his many mission have made him an expert in the sort of early-war bombing raids upon England that headlined here two days back. This day it is reported that Christiansen has been awarded the Iron Cross for his 'deathless deeds' over Dover and Ramsgate, primarily while piloting a Hansa-Brandenburg W.12. Speaking of 'deathless', in the coming year and some Christiansen will go on to successfully complete hundreds of missions... all without a single air-combat victory. His first will occur in May 1917. He will score twelve more confirmed kills by war's end. Two of these have headlined here: in May 2022: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg244153;topicseen#msg244153, and February 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg252696#msg252696)
Clearly Christiansen was a bane to the Royal Navy's budget because he took multiple big machines out of action including a behemoth Felixstowe Porte Baby, an Astro-Torres airship, three Curtiss flying boats, four Felixstowe F.2a's, two Short 184's, plus a submarine! He served in and survived the Second World War, ultimately being imprisoned for war crimes. He died aged 92 in 1972.
(from the Cambria Daily News, 26 February 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/s2ZsVBvJ/02-26-1916-Cross-for-Christiansen-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/4KZrPxvK)
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Gotha Grounded
Gather 'round for a glimpse of this ungainly German G.IV. Reported here in two separate periodicals apparently depicting it in two separate town squares- Dunkerque and Calais.
(from the Illustrated War News, 27 February 1918; and Le Pays de France):
(https://i.postimg.cc/hGnyT29J/Untitled-design-10.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/SQ5Js3hG/Le-Pays-de-France-No174-scan09-Page07-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w3X64W3t) (https://gasstation-nearme.com/)
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Acht Kriegssiege
Germany boasts success in the skies over two theatres of war this week. The Luftstreitkrafte achieved six of these Monday victories over the Western Front. One in particular resulted in the demise of a Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c (serial #2535) of No. 16 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps in the region of Ecurie, Pas-de-Calais. This winner of this late-afternoon combat was a relatively newly minted ace recorded as flying a Halberstadt. With two kills the previous day and two more tomorrow Werner Voss will achieve ace status again this week. As is well known, Voss would go on to score an almost-unrivaled tally of forty-eight victories in the next half year until his legendary final fight (touched upon here last May: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.msg265381#msg265381)
(from the South Bend News-Times, 28 February 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/7YTSQfdk/02-28-1917-Germans-Wreck-8-Planes-South-Bend-New-Times.png) (https://postimg.cc/bspGZNqC)(https://i.postimg.cc/HWNKmV2x/werner-voss-arnold-busch-d6bf4e-640.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via getarchive.net)
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Seaplane Swan Song
Concluding this week's leitmotif on German aircraft, here's a full-page, full-color, post-war reminiscence of that nation's North-Sea aerial prowess. Translation: "A Friedrichshafen combat squadron shoots down a Sopwith single-seater and two F. B. A. boats before the Thames estuary.". This illustration is likely related to an add for Franz Schneider Flugmaschinenwerke m.b.H., on the opposite page of the German semi-monthly periodical 'Motor', which published it.
Schneider is a less-remembered but interesting character. The Swiss-born engineer worked with Nieuport before the war, relocating to relocated to Johannistal in 1911 to become the technical director for Luft-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft AG. There he designed the LVG's B and C types. He is credited to have invented an interruptor gear of sorts well before Fokker: "In 1913, Schneider patented a firing device for firearms on aircraft at the German Imperial Patent Office (DRP No. 276396). This patent used a locking mechanism that blocked the trigger of the weapon via a rod coupled to the crankshaft of the engine when a propeller blade was in front of the muzzle."
"At the end of 1916, Schneider left the LVG after financial and legal disputes. Franz Schneider acquired the factory facilities in Seegefeld from the liquidated Deutsche Eisenbahn-Speisewagen-Gesellschaft and founded his own company, Franz Schneider Flugmaschinenwerke, with around 125 employees on January 22, 1917. Among the employees was the young Viktor Carganico, and construction was supervised by Lieutenant Elchleb. Although Schneider designed a single-seater fighter in 1918, the factory mainly repaired front-line aircraft from Albatros, DFW and LVG. In 1919, Schneider and his family moved to Seegefeld.
After the end of the First World War, aircraft could only be built in Germany under severe restrictions, so the company tried to open up new business areas. Around 1920, Schneider therefore changed the company name to Franz Schneider Maschinenwerke and, in addition to building and selling aircraft, now also offered railway carriages and machines of all kinds. In 1937 he went to Japan at the invitation of a Japanese general, and five years later he died in Tokyo. Engineer Franz Schneider's urn is buried in the foreign cemetery in Yokohama." (via wikipedia).
(from Motor, March/April 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/d1xR2mTM/03-00-1917-Moto-ADVERTISING-FRANZ-SCHNEIDER-AIRCRAFT-INDUSTRY-AIRPLANEr-copy.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vg56MnzX)
(https://i.postimg.cc/3wCD1MdQ/440px-1915-Franz-Schneider-00000016-cropped.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/SKQPQ40g/Screenshot-2025-03-01-at-9-55-40-AM.png) (https://postimg.cc/qNYwQ9vK)
Have a look back at a Sopwith Baby, similar this one going down in flames, by forum member PrzemoL: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=10939.0
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Intercontinental Caproni
In light of the new Caproni Ca.3 kit release by Lukgraph, here's a view of one that flew in the United States during wartime. This particular photo is noted as having been taken in July 1918 at the Meadow Brook Club polo field in Westbury, Long Island, New York.
(from The Sphere, 2 March 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZqjZGXB1/03-02-1919-critical-caproni-the-Sphere.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Fistfight at 3,000 Feet!
This wild report from Petrograd pits pilot against prisoner in round of fisticuffs inside an airplane cockpit over Poland. Paschalof, a Russian aviator, won the 'perilous' fight against his unnamed Austrian foe by wielding a wrench to the head.
(from the Washington Times, 3 March 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/fW8xS3YX/03-03-1915-Prisoner-in-Airplane-Washington-Times.png) (https://postimg.cc/bd2GKwCN)
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New Zeppelin Chaser?
Passing the corner newsstand on the snow-dusted streets of frigid New York City this morning, this article might have caught your eye. The reporter introduces America to a 'new' airplane that was already past its prime and being phased out on the Western Front. The Royal Flying Corps' first Airco D.H.2 actually arrived in France with No. 5 Squadron in the summer of 1915. Within weeks it was shot down and its pilot killed.
"The DH.2 eventually equipped seven fighter squadrons on the Western Front and proved more than a match for the Fokker Eindecker. DH.2s were heavily involved in the Battle of the Somme with No. 24 Squadron engaging in 774 combats and claiming 44 enemy machines. Service training for pilots in the RFC was poor, and the DH.2 initially had a high accident rate, supposedly gaining the nickname "The Spinning Incinerator", but as familiarity with the type improved, it was recognised as being maneuverable and relatively easy to fly. The arrival at the front of more powerful German tractor biplane fighters such as the Halberstadt D.II and the Albatros D.I, in late 1916, meant that the DH.2 was outclassed in turn. It remained in first line service until June 1917 in France, until No. 24 and No. 32 Squadron RFC reequipped with Airco DH.5s..." (via wikipedia)
I'm not sure if any D.H.2's had the occasion to chase any Zeppelins, as the type was operated exclusively by the RFC, and the Royal Naval Air Service was charged with home defense at that time.
(from the New-York Tribune, 4 March 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/1Xb0Yw4Y/03-04-1917-D-H-2-Zeppelin-Chaser-New-York-Tribune.png) (https://postimages.org/) (https://postimages.org/)
Check out this detailed D.H.2 by forum member cgandiaga: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=1980.msg32306#msg32306
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Ancestors
This medley of machines from the March 1913 Aero Exhibition at Olympia London include a number of types that evolved to see service in the Great War. Among them are the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2, Samuel White's Hydro-Biplane, both Farmans, the Caudron Biplane, the Short Hydro-Biplane, the Vickers E.F.B.1 'Destroyer', and also the Handley Page monoplane, which served briefly at the war's start (and even survived into WWII).
Ironically, the most primitive-looking contraption here, the Cody biplane, won the British Military Aeroplane Competition just eight months earlier. Samuel Cody was awarded GBP4,000 for placing first and a further GBP1,000 for the best British-built aircraft - the equivalent of GBP737,284 today! Understandably, it never was used operationally in the coming conflict. Cody last appeared here in May 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg254739#msg254739
(from Aircraft Magazine, March 1913):
(https://i.postimg.cc/k558ZX1R/03-00-1913-aircraft419131914newy-0026.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BjdXPsGJ)
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Mystery Mother-Ship
A 'unique vessel' is on the move in the Mediterranean. Some of you may recognize it from this fanciful sketch as the HMS Ark Royal. Commissioned only three months prior to today's article, it has been called the first ship designed and built as a seaplane carrier. Upon entering service the Ark Royal was immediately dispatched to the Mediterranean in support of Britain's failed Dardenelles Campaign. As can be seen in the map below it was kept quite busy. This ship is of particular interest to me, as one of the aircraft types it supported was the Wight A.1 Improved Navyplane (my fave). According to the surviving logbook entry on this date one of the ungainly Wights was again struggling to lift from the water.
(from Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, 6 March 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/qM7wssK2/03-06-1915-Ark-Royal-The-Ilustrated-Sporting-and-Dramatic-News.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Btd2s1Mv)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rsnjrsF1/OWShips-WW1-04-HMS-Ark-Royal-Eastern-Med.png) (https://postimg.cc/8fvL81vc)
(https://i.postimg.cc/nV0dsFzR/0053-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mh13JG7C) (https://postimages.org/)
(images via naval-history.net)
The Ark Royal's exploits were also covered here back in March 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg253029#msg253029
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"Youthful Exploits"
He was a teenager when he scored his first aerial victory and an ace twice over by age twenty. "A solitary hunter, he would attack from behind and below his opponent's aircraft, standing in the cockpit to fire his wing mounted machine gun... Flying above the lines in a red "Bebe" he was easily identified..." as the 'Sentinel of Verdun'. Today's report celebrates Jean Navarre's 6th aerial victory. He defeated an Albatros C type while piloting a Nieuport 11 of Escadrille N67 over Douaumont-Fleury late in the morning on March 6.
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 7 March 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/6QTWMDz9/03-07-1916-Navarre-s-6th-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimg.cc/HJD1xvfK)(https://i.postimg.cc/R0mj3pVL/s-l1600-copy.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CRvvXN8R)
Navarre and his twin brother Pierre (also mentioned today) headlined here back in October 2023: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12930.msg244398#msg244398
Check out this recent build of Navarre and one of his Nieports by forum member mentaldental: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14849.msg272951#msg272951
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D.H.2 Down
Four days back we were belatedly 'introduced' by the American press to the Royal Flying Corps' Airco D.H.2 (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.msg273641#msg273641). Today's photo story out of Australia provides another example - this time having met with an inglorious ending somewhere along the Western Front.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 8 March 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/pX5J25zN/03-08-1917-Bad-Landing-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Night of the Gothas
The spring of 1918 saw renewed nocturnal attacks on the City of Light. One such bombardment headlined here last April: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.msg264670#msg264670. Accompanying today's story is a photograph by "Paul Queste, an operator with the army photographic section (SPA), shows a Parisian building disembowelled by the explosion of a 100 kilo bomb dropped by a German Gotha bomber on 8 March 1918 during a raid that saw 28 bombs explode over Paris and another 60 or so over the suburbs. The image shows the power of the impact, which killed several residents as well as causing the building to collapse." (via actualites.musee-armee.fr)
(from the Lakeland Evening Telegram, 9 March 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/rmX0mY25/03-09-1918-Paris-Raided-Lakeland-Evening-Telegram.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/d3XpGdQP/MA-BA-100ansphoto03-1-20150220.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sGYTrMZw)
(image via actualites.musee-armee.fr)
(https://i.postimg.cc/W43mcy68/defense-de-paris-contre-avions.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/75FJgmRJ)
(from L'Illustration, via geographicalimaginations.com)
Here's a look at a bomb-laden Gotha G.IV in 1/32 scale by forum member zavod44: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=6303.msg114828#msg114828
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Dogfight Down to Dugout.
Details are sparse but this two-sentence report sure stirs the imagination on how an unfortunate Fokker pilot lost an air battle and 'tumbled' more than a mile onto a trench. Reminds me of a somewhat similar scenario from the recent film '1917': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3spb49yf4ZQ.
(from the Circle Banner, 10 March 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y9VJ2Ncm/03-10-1916-Teuton-Falls-7-000ft-The-Circle-Banner.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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How to Drop a Bomb
News from New Zealand today on Britain's most ubiquitous early-war aerial bomb - the 20lb Hale. Written back in the day when ordnance was armed in the airman's lap and lobbed overboard, this article hints of heavier bombs to come. Even the 80-120lb weights speculated here will be dwarfed by much heavier devices on both sides of the conflict by war's end.
(from the Mataura Ensign, 11 March 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/15Q6NYRP/03-11-1915-Hale-Bomb-Mataura-Ensign.png) (https://postimg.cc/jCMCpcJk)(https://i.postimg.cc/D0VG6xqr/1b2f0798ad65ef4eeed78e716beba691.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Twice Unlucky
"It was the most daring and seemingly impossible mission. On February 8, 1914, when Palestine was still part of the Ottoman Empire, two planes of the fledgling Ottoman Air Force took off from Istanbul. Their destination: the holy city of Jerusalem and, ultimately, Cairo and Alexandria. Their goal: to promote modernity and to boost the morale of the armed forces, thus helping to restore the glory of the dying empire." (via hadassahmagazine.org)
"The story begins on December 31, 1913... when the first aircraft landed in Jerusalem. Flown by French aviator Marc Bonnier, the epic flight was part of a seven-week tour of the Mediterranean that began and ended in France {that story headlined here in January 1914: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg261894#msg261894}. The Ottoman High Command was quick to respond... and planned a 2,370- km., 13-stop expedition from Constantinople to Cairo and Alexandria. With great fanfare, two monoplanes took to the skies on February 8, 1914, from the newly established Aviation School in Hagios Stefanos (today Istanbul Ataturk Airport in Yesilk?y) on the Sea of Marmara." (via jpost.com)
"The trip got off to a bad start. It was raining in Istanbul and the planes quickly lost each other. One of them, caught in thick fog, nearly hit a mountain. Later, one plane had to remain in Damascus for repairs while the other headed for Jerusalem. On Friday, February 27, tents were set up for a reception in the Talpiot neighborhood where the plane was scheduled to land, and a welcoming crowd waited and waited. But the plane never arrived. Fethi Bey, its crack pilot, and his navigator, Sadek Bey, had only rudimentary instruments and were apparently unaware of the fierce winds that blow across Lake Kinneret in winter. As the plane flew along the lake's eastern shore, it was buffeted by strong easterly winds, and the vibrations broke the screw that connected the wings. Arab villagers... saw something fall out of the sky. The plane had crashed." (via hadassahmagazine.org)
"The aviators of the other plane, pilot Lt. Nuri Bey and observer Capt. İsmail Hakkı Bey, attended the funeral prayer of their friends by going from Homs to Damascus {with their aircraft} 'Prens Celalettin'. After the prayers attended by a huge crowd, the martyr aviators were buried in a graveyard located by Selahattin Eyyubi Shrine in Emeviye Mosque. Pilot Lt. Nuri Bey continued his flight after the accident but he lost his life as the plane he steered crashed into the sea while taking off from Jaffa on March 11. Capt. İsmail Hakkı Bey who was also in the plane, survived the crash. Lt. Nuri Bey was buried in the same graveyard with his other two colleagues. Also, during his last flight, Lt. Nuri Bey performed the first airmail service of Turkish aviation history. The whole of Turkey lamented the loss of the aviators. The monument made in memory of Fethi Bey, Sadık Bey and Nuri Bey, the first martyrs of the Turkish aviation history, was erected in a park located in front of the old municipality building in Istanbul's Fatih district. Designed by the architect Vedat Tek, broken pillars were used in the 7.5-meter-long monument that is made of dolomite and bronze. The broken pillars symbolize the incomplete flight embarked on for a high ideal." (via dailysabah.com)
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 12 March 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/tJq9jBMj/03-12-1914-Turkish-Aviator-Dies-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/13HrHHkq/Constantinople-Cairo-Flight.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/gkCpNcHR/Lieutenant-Nuri-Bey-2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/tJ00D2hb/beyfethiport.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZnpMKNCx/1024px-Tayyare-S-ehitleri-An-t-2016.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tnR5BYds)
(images via wikimedia commons)
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Man and Machine
This full-page portrait depicts French flyer Georges Felix Madon and his airplane both decorated with medals. The article notes Madon as the 'victor in 23 air fight', though he actually scored two more on March 9 while this issue of Illustrated War News was going to press. "By war's end, he was credited with 41 confirmed victories and 64 probables. About the latter, he once nonchalantly remarked: "The Boche knows his losses." His score of 41 still ranked him fourth among all French pilots.". Madon's profile page on theaerodrome.com suggests he had 64 probable victories, for a 'theoretical total of 105'. Madon last headlined here in June 2024: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14363.msg266664#msg266664
(from the Illustrated War News, 13 March 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/QdPtgPjC/03-13-1918-Illustrated-War-News-0301.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JsNMMpDC)
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Seaplanes vs. Seaboats
The Romanian port of Constanta on the Black Sea has been occupied by a mix Central Powers troops since the fall of 1916. It's hub of trade for grain, petroleum makes it of strategic import. Here's a report of German seaplanes of unknown type (possibly Friedrichshafens?) harrying Russian destroyers.
(from the Butte Daily Post, 14 March 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/VvstxMzK/03-14-1917-German-Double-Header-Butte-Daily-Post.png) (https://postimg.cc/nj5M7Xjm)
P.S. For enquiring minds - if today's second story sounds familiar it's because it headlined here in another publication on this day last year: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13750.msg263689#msg263689
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Albatros Trophy
Aucklanders today are introduced to this Albatros D.1, (serial D.I 391/16), which was flown by Ltn. Karl Heinrich Buttner, Jasta 2, 1916. Buttner was downed on 16 November 1916 by Capt. George Alec Parker and 2nd Liet. Hamilton Elliott Hervey of No.8 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, who were flying an outdated B.E.2d. Both Buttner and his machine landed intact. The captured craft was thoroughly investigated and ultimately repainted with British markings. This photo is so familiar today it's even the main photo for the D.1 on wikipedia.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 15 March 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/rp6GP74w/03-15-1917-Captured-Plane-Auckland-Weekly-News-copy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/hGSYYJTj/3964471.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via awm.gov.au)
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Lifecycle of a Liberty Plane
This interesting pictorial page shows stages of use for an American-made D.H4 in France.
"As there were no suitable aircraft domestically, a technical commission, known as the Bolling Commission, was dispatched to Europe to seek out the best available combat aircraft and to make arrangements to enable their production to be established in the United States. ...the DH.4, along with the Bristol F.2 Fighter, the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5, and French SPAD S.XIII were selected. On 27 July 1917, a single DH.4 was sent to the United States as a pattern aircraft. It was not until 1918 that the first American-built DH.4s came off the production line. Several different manufacturers, including the Boeing Airplane Corporation, Dayton-Wright Company, the Fisher Body Corporation, and the Standard Aircraft Corporation produced this Americanized variant of the DH.4, featuring over 1,000 modifications from the original British design, to equip the American air services. A total of 9,500 DH.4s were ordered from American manufacturers, of which 1,885 actually reached France during the war. In American production, the new Liberty engine, which had proved suitable as a DH.4 power plant, was adopted. The Liberty was also eventually adopted by the British to power the DH.9A variant of the type." (via wikipedia)
(from Leslie's Photographic Review of the Great War, 1919):
(https://i.postimg.cc/gjvv5qbX/00-00-1919-DH-s-Leslie-s-photographic-review-of-the-great-war.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2LSbLW6r)
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Failed Missile
On 19 January 1915, the German Zeppelin airships L3 and L4 bombed the coastal towns of Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn in Norfolk. It marked the first air raid on Britain and the first time a civilian population center was targeted in aerial warfare. This particular piece of unexploded ordnance looks to be a 4.7-liter incendiary. variant.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 18 March 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/635brCgJ/03-18-1915-Failed-Missile-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zL6k5Hq0)(https://i.postimg.cc/q706ZwpY/Screenshot-2025-03-18-at-8-47-46-PM.png) (https://postimg.cc/v4qm4WgL)(https://i.postimg.cc/KvwYCNDf/Screenshot-2025-03-18-at-8-40-29-PM.png) (https://postimg.cc/Whmjk0Kq)
(https://i.postimg.cc/SxLpV7TJ/10958813.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Fatal Fall
This New Zealand newsprint depicts a nose-down Bristol-Coanda monoplane. This relative rarity was designed by Romanian inventor Henri Coanda, who then was technical manager of the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company. Thirty-seven examples of this machine were built, seeing service in Britain, Italy and Romania. The Royal Flying Corps utilized them as trainers, as the Bristol which operated a flying school at Larkhill, where George Gripp's fatal accident occurred. An earlier deathly crash of another Bistol-Coanda monoplane (serial #263) led in part to the RFC's monoplane ban of 1912. In turn, Coanda developed a biplane variant of this machine, which became the Bristol T.B.8 bomber. And handful of these flew operationally early in the Great War.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 19 March 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/PfYmLcVG/03-19-1914-Fatal-Fall-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/TPYYqycM/1366-2000.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The coronor's inquest and a report by the Royal Aero Club can be read here: https://www.wiltshire-opc.org.uk/Items/Durrington/Durrington%20-%20Larkhill%20Coroners%20Inquest%20-%20G.%20L.%20Gipps%201914.pdf
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Von Tutschek Dead
"Adolf Ritter von Tutschek is credited with twenty-seven confirmed aerial victories. After scoring his first three.. with Jagdstaffel 2 in early 1917, he transferred to command of another fighter squadron, Jagdstaffel 12. Tutschek shot down another 20 enemy aircraft by 11 August 1917. After recovery from a severe wound, he was promoted to command a fighter wing, Jagdgeschwader II, on 1 February 1918. He scored four more victories there before being killed in action. On 15 March 1918 South African future-10-victory ace Lieutenant Harold Redler of the Royal Flying Corps's No. 24 Squadron shot down von Tutschek. The German spun down in his green triplane (SNo.404/17) out of control. One version of his death states when found he still had his wiping cloth tucked through his buttonhole and under his safety harness; as it was his habit to wipe his goggles clean going into battle, it was deduced he had been caught unaware." (via wikipedia)
(from the Morning Bulletin, 20 March 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/sDcrSWQC/03-20-1918-Von-Tutcheck-Killed-Morning-Bulletin.png) (https://postimg.cc/dLLpcLj5)(https://i.postimg.cc/2S1LKCfy/Adolf-Ritter.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via geschichte-hautnah.de. Loosely translated: "Oberlt. (Lieutenant Captain) Adolf Ritter von Tutschet, who won the Order of St. Joseph during the assault on the former Werf VII in Betrilo2 and died as Commander of the 2nd Fighter Squadron after the 27th German pilot was shot down at Brancourt (near Laon) on March 15, 1918."
For a close up of von Tutscheck's striated Fokker Triplane, here's a link to forum member crouthaj's build of the 1/32 Meng kit: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11932.msg222151#msg222151
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It's the end winter of 1915-1916, and the planes of the Royal Aircraft Factory are struggling under direct attack on two fronts. First is the Western Front, where the scourge of the new Fokker monoplanes is in full effect. Second is the home front, where a single man in a single monoplane is waging full-on war against them across the nation in the press and in politics. Noel Pemberton Billing led a "press campaign against the standardisation of Royal Aircraft Factory types in the Royal Flying Corps, allegedly in favour of superior designs available from the design departments of private British firms. This slowly gained currency, especially because of the undeniable fact that the B.E.2c and B.E.2e were kept in production and in service long after they were obsolete and that the B.E.12 and B.E.12a were indisputable failures. Some aviation historians continue to perpetuate the resulting belittling of the important experimental work of the Factory during this period, and the exaggeration of the failings of Factory production types, several of which were described in sensationally derogatory terms". (via wikipedia)
This controversy culminated in a formal enquiry into the operations of the Royal Aircraft Factory (a copy of the report from my personal collection is shown below), and lead to the replacement of Mervyn O'Gorman as its Superintendent. It also helped propel Pemberton Billing, who was no stranger to controversy himself, on to victory in the 1916 Hertford by-election of Parliament. Today's news shows him politicking on the campaign trail from the cockpit of his monoplane.
Fun Fact: "In 1913, he bet Frederick Handley Page that he could earn his pilot's licence within 24 hours of first sitting in an aircraft. He won his bet, gaining licence number 683 and ?500, equivalent to more than ?28,000 in 2010, which he used to found an aircraft business, Pemberton-Billing Ltd... Billing registered the telegraphic address 'Supermarine, Southampton' for the company, which soon acquired premises at Oakbank Wharf in Woolston, Southampton, and started construction of his flying boat designs." (via wikipedia)
(from The Land, 21 March 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/DyQmp50W/03-21-1916-Pemberton-Billing-in-a-Plane-The-Land-Sydney.png) (https://postimg.cc/TpwRpVrG)(https://i.postimg.cc/jjnpZx4R/Screenshot-2025-03-22-at-12-05-41-PM.png) (https://postimg.cc/WDjY4Pyy)\(https://i.postimg.cc/90p7qj4h/IMG-1312.avif) (https://postimg.cc/D4SZtHdj)
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"Chocks Away"!
Today's news shows what looks to be a French-made (or possibly Beardmore-built?) Nieuport 12 with the Royal Naval Air Service blowing some smoke before takeoff. Interesting application of the rudder roundel.
(from the Australian Mail, 22 March 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y2D5XVLS/03-22-1916-Aviator-Australian-Mail.png) (https://postimg.cc/yW9pxLPq)
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'Much-Used Types'
I suspect the illustrator of this full-page picture had a fun day at the office painting this gaggle of late-war German aircraft.. Which one is your favorite?
(from The Sphere, 23 March 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/52BnP9sV/03-23-1918-enemy-types-the-sphere.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VJNqvwyG)
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Guns Roar!
On the ground and in the air. News from Paris today includes a report on how violent the Western Front has been for the past week at the start of the German Spring Offensive. By the end of the Kaiserschlacht, the twenty-six fliers mentioned in this headline will be just a minute fraction of the 688,341 casualties on the German side. The allies would suffer 863,374 casualties.
(from the Evening Star, 24 March 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/zDyBGhYd/03-24-1918-Guns-Roar-Evening-Star.png) (https://postimg.cc/jCrK8L5N)
Here's a link to a diorama of Jagdgeschwader I airfield in March 1918 by forum member malaula (thought the image links didn't work for me): https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=4856.msg86572#msg86572
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Glory to Our Aviators
Gander at this gallery of less-remembered French airmen from the war's early months. One portrait that catches my eye that of the Indochinese Capitane Do-Huu Vi. He is recognized today as Vietnam's first pilot.
"...inspired by the achievements of Louis Bl?riot, he learned to fly, entering the military pilot's school in December 1910 and obtaining pilot's license no. 649 issued by the A?ro-Club de France in 1911.... At the beginning of 1914, he returned to Indochina to test Lambert seaplanes on the Mekong River and to establish airbases in the colony. On October 3, 1914, Đỗ Hữu Vị asked to be transferred back to France to take part in the First World War. He then took part in numerous reconnaissance flights. In April 1915, he was caught in a storm and crashed. He spent nine days in a coma in Val-de-Gr?ce, with a broken left arm, jaw and skull fractured. No longer able to pilot, he briefly becomes an observer on bombing raids before requesting reassignment to the infantry. He was given command of the 7th Company in the Foreign Legion with the rank of Captain. During the Battle of the Somme, he led his men to attack Boyau de Chancelier, between Belloy-en-Santerre and Estr?e on and was killed around 4 p.m. July 9, 1916. He was first buried near Dompierre with this epitaph: "Captain-aviator Do Huu, Died on the field of honor, For his country of Annam, For his homeland, France." In 1921, his brother, Colonel Đỗ Hữu Chấn, brought back his remains to rest in the ancestral plot near Cholon.
He was awarded the Morocco Commemorative Medal, the Colonial Medal, and was posthumously made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor for being a "courageous and spirited officer" who "gloriously fell while leading his company to assault the German trenches." Streets in Casablanca, Laffaux, and in L?i Thi?u ward, Thuận An, in B?nh Dương Province, Vietnam, have been named after him. A stamp featuring Đỗ Hữu Vị was issued by the French Indochinese postal service in 1930." (via wikipedia)
(from 'J'ai vu', 25 March 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/7YtCh1K6/03-25-1915-aviators-J-ai-vu.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GHY3SDww) (https://postimages.org/)(https://i.postimg.cc/TPgzW8WC/o-Hu-u-Vi.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Mars in Motion
Not sure why this particular plane was still a newsworthy subject in 1915 but it's great to encounter a period press photo of this rarity. The Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke Mars was a pre-war German military aircraft that first flew in 1913. The sole example acquired by Britain's Royal Naval Air Service was assigned serial #154 and was stationed at RNAS Eastchurch. It likely was already out of action by the time of this publication.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 26 March 1915):
(https://i.postimg.cc/90QnmbwB/03-26-1915-DFW-Auckland-Weekly-News-copy.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tZ85Dh51)(https://i.postimg.cc/1t07STWT/6-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via flyingmachines.ru)
You can read more and see more thanks to forum member lone modeller's scratch-built 1/72 DFW Mars Military Biplane recently posted in tribute to Dave Wilson: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14601.msg269972#msg269972
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Floatplane Flotilla Flops
Is that Sopwith wearing an Iron Cross? An official bulletin from Berlin, shared in an Alaskan newspaper, alerts us of a botched British raid along Germany's coast. Here's a well-written recap of what sounds to be the same raid. Thrilling stuff:
"25 March 1916 The seaplane carrier HMS Vindex sailed, with Cdre Tyrwhitt?s Harwich Force, to attack Zeppelin sheds at Schleswig Holstein. At 0430 the following morning, five Short 184 seaplanes were launched in squalls of snow and sleet. Two returned a couple of hours later, the first pilot reported he had not found the sheds so had bombed and set light to a factory; the second had flown further inland and found the sheds at Hoyer, but his bomb rack were frozen and was unable to drop anything. Three of the seaplanes failed to return and the crews posted as missing.
Whilst they were returning to Vindex, Flt.Sub Lt George Reid and CPO Mechanic 3rd Class Richard Mullins spotted Sopwith Baby seaplane No.8153, flown by Flt Sub Lt John Hay, stranded a short distance from the coast and they landed alongside, where Mullins tried to help Hay get its engine started. When German troops arrived on the shoreline, Reid suggested they ought to depart. So, with Hay strapped to a strut between the wings of the Short 184, he took off and they headed back towards Vindex.
Flying into another snowstorm they landed and continued taxiing on the water. They were spotted by two German seaplanes and shortly afterwards a motor boat arrived and the three British airmen were taken prisoner and spent the rest of the war in PoW camps.
Reid was amongst the first recipients of the new Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for ?great courage, ability and resource under the most trying circumstances, which included prolonged flying in a snowstorm and immersion for over three hours in the sea.? Richard Mullins received a Distinguished Flying Medal for ?displaying marked courage, initiative and resource in this hazardous undertaking? (Citation listed in London Gazette 7 Feb 1919)
Flt Sub Lt Cyril Knight and Mid Stanley Hoblyn RNR, who were flying in another aircraft were not heard of again." (via facebook.com/FAAHistory)
If you're curious as to the fate of Lt. May's beached Sopwity Baby, the Germans paraded it as a war trophy and put it into service against the British (image below).
(from the Cordova Daily Times, 27 March 1916):
(https://i.postimg.cc/QMFnFqbN/03-27-1916-Failed-Raid-Cordova-daily-times.png) (https://postimg.cc/VScFTnp2)
(https://i.postimg.cc/6pgFLST4/486095143-1206933914620918-8944697425397790563-n.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via facebook.com/FAAHistory)
Here's a fabulous micro (1/250th scale!) paper model of this captured Sopwith in German livery by Michael Kaintoch(more images here: http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/misc/aircraft/baby-250-mk/mk-index.html)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Wpym3PyZ/baby-04.jpg) (https://postimages.org/) (https://postimages.org/)
(image via modelshipgallery.com)
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FBA at CAM
This looks to be a dockhand's view of le Centre d'Aviation Maritime de Dunkerque. "(CAM) of Dunkirk dates back to December 1914 and became effective in February 1915, after a brief stay in Boulogne. The center is composed of the following squadrons: Patrol seaplane squadron, Seaplane fighter squadron, Land-based bomber squadron.
These squadrons were equipped with seaplanes stationed in the port, at the place called 'Chantiers de France', and land-based aircraft based at the St-Pol-sur-Mer airfield. The unit would become the most important maritime aviation center of the First World War, whose aviators, based near the front line, would constantly have to deal with enemy aircraft and encounter numerous German submarines whose home port of Zeebrugge was nearby. It is the seaplanes of the CAM Dunkerque that have the honour of being the first Allied troops to liberate the port of Zeebrugge, evacuated by the Germans who had blocked it with mines." (via memorial-national-des-marins.fr)
I'm guessing that's an FBA (Type B?) hydroplane on the gridiron.
(from the Australian Town and Country Journal, 28 March 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/xj7X0zCD/03-28-1917-Seaplanes-Landing-Australian-Town-and-Country-Journal.png) (https://postimg.cc/WtGN8tgX)
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'Progress of Flying'
Perhaps not the most graceful bird to fly over the Western Front, the Caudron G.4 is a fun subject to find in the news. This one looks to have a Hotchkiss gun mounted for the observer. The G.4 first flew two years before this article was published - rather late in the progress of this machine's lifespan.
(from the Auckland Weekly News, 29 March 1917):
(https://i.postimg.cc/sx1cV075/03-29-1917-Caudron-Auckland-Weekly-News.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Check out this killer G.4 floatplane by fellow forumite jorgo: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=8317.msg154052#msg154052
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"Old But in Flying Condition"
...anyone else ever feel that way? One trend I've noticed while posting these old articles is that aircraft stationed in remote areas during the Great War often had remarkably long lifespans and interesting journeys compared to those near the center of conflict. Such is the case with a handful of aircraft originally dispatched to the Indian Central Flying School in Sitapur. Captain Seaton Dunham Massy of the 29th Punjab Regiment was commander of the school, from its formation in 1912. Undoubtedly it is Massy who took the nearly sixty-year-old General Sir Beauchamp Duff up for the 'blip' in a 1913-edition Farman pusher reported in today's news.
"Sitapur is a town around 80 km from Lucknow in United Provinces, now Uttar Pradesh. This little-known town had a military establishment and cantonment during the colonial era. The flying instructors of the school were officers from the Army Flying Corps who were trained in England. The intention was to train selected officers who were inclined towards flying. The purpose was to set up an Indian Flying Corps, similar to the line of Royal Flying Corps of England. However, before this could materialize concretely, WWI broke out. The officers and the aircraft were moved to Egypt to supplement the shortage of the European aviation division there. Consequently, the Indian Central Flying School had to close down in 1914. Thus leaving India without an airplane in World War I." (via past-india.com)
"Air reconnaissances of the Turkish bases and lines of communication to give warning of the enemy intentions would, it was recognized, be essential and, on the 4th of November 1914, the day before war was formally declared on Turkey, a Flight of aeroplanes had been dispatched from England. This Flight, under Captain S. D. Massy, who had from the end of 1913 been in command of the Indian Flying School at Sitapur, arrived at Alexandria on the 17th of November with three Maurice Farman pusher aeroplanes. Two Henri Farmans, old but in flying condition, were also acquired from an Italian firm in Cairo. A site for an aerodrome was chosen at Ismailia, centrally situated for flying over the whole canal zone, and Cairo contractors were given orders to erect sheds to house the aeroplanes". ('War in the Air', vol 5, p160) refers to him being posted to Egypt to defend the Suez canal
"On November 1914, an RFC detachment equipped with three Maurice Farman aircraft (two 1913 type Longhorns and one 1914 type Shorthorn), 2 Crossley light tenders, one Leyland repair lorry, two spare 70 H.P. Renault engines, 2 tent hangars and six months supply of petrol and oil, left Farnborough for Egypt. By December, they were established at Camp Moascar, Ismailia. During the coming months, they flew reconnaissance against the Turkish army who were attempting to cross the Suez Canal. In March 1915, the detachment became a flight of 30 Squadron RFC. This was the RFC?s first overseas detachment outside of Western Europe" (via greatwarforum.org)
(from the Cambria Daily Leader, 30 March 1914):
(https://i.postimg.cc/rpW7x7xJ/03-30-1914-Sitapur-School-Cambria-Daily-Leader.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/nVRs6W9T/DSC-0239x0256c-1-jpg-WL-copy.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dDCtC4BT)
(image via past-india.com)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Px2kf4Nh/486572799-1090255566463583-6508630187306069893-n.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TLLsCnrH)
(image via keymilitary.com)
Joining this group on the journey from India to Egypt was another unusual bird from ICFS Sitapur - a Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2b.
(https://i.postimg.cc/XJMmL55d/IMG-1440.avif) (https://postimg.cc/Y43dqhbC)
(J.M. Bruce, 'The Aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing), Putnam, London, 1982)
Here's a 1/72 scale model of that plane I built twenty years ago (make me feel old... but I'm still in flying condition!):
(https://i.postimg.cc/9XYjQx39/3z2jy4Z.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/15Vzb3Q5/ZvYjBCh.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Ubiquitous 'Bus'
Paired with our post from two days back on the long lifespan of the Caudron G.4, it's now 1918 and here's a demonstrative photo of a venerable Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.b in strafing mode. Originating from an archaic 1911 design the 'Farman Experimental' series saw plenty of air action with nearly forty squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps. Approximately two thousand were built, serving several functions throughout the Great War - reconnaissance, artillery spotting, fighter, bomber, night bomber, and ground attack (as featured in today's pictorial).
(from the Sydney Sun, 31 March 1918):
(https://i.postimg.cc/bJk4989w/03-31-1918-Hun-Checked-Sydney-Sun.png) (https://postimg.cc/Kkc9m6W6)
Here's a look back at a 'different Fee' in 1/72 scale by forum member lone modeller: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=10799.0
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Air Action
This concludes year three of these daily news post. My primary goal has been to rekindle my personal passion for the hobby. Though I haven't yet completed a single build, starting my own scale-model company has inspired plenty of 'air action'. My goal also evolved into spotlighting our fellow modeler's work and supporting this forum. Thanks to everyone who's been along for the ride!
(from Air Action, April 1940):
(https://i.postimg.cc/CM2ppFcd/04-00-1940-Air-Action.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F10BjQ5Q)
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Thank you for all you've done PJ, this thread has informed me about so many events and machines!
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I frequently look in at this thread and it's full of fascinating stuff, thanks for sharing. Time to complete a build now...... ;)
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Thanks for the kind words. Yes - back to the workbench for me!