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

[PJ Fisher]

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"? 
(respectively from the Auckland Weekly News and the Sydney Mail; 27, 26 January 1916):

[PJ Fisher]

'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):

[PJ Fisher]

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):

[PJ Fisher]

Hurrah For The Next Man Who Dies
(from the Illustrated War News, 30 January 1918)



For further reading on sepoys in service: https://www.livemint.com/Politics/isDpzUX2Qp71kvpLPWauvI/Indian-sepoys-who-bore-the-white-mans-burden.html

[PJ Fisher]

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):



Read more on this conflict here: https://mrburnsenglishclass.com/wp-content/eng4/FarewellWebsite/MonteGrappaH.pdf

[PJ Fisher]

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):

[PJ Fisher]

Americans 'War Birds' Abroad
Some interesting views of a 'hydroplane camp'.
(from Leslie's Photographic Review of the Great War, 1919):

(

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

[PJ Fisher]

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):

[PJ Fisher]

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):



(image via histoire-de-la-douane.org)

[PJ Fisher]

Enemy Overhead
(from the Abergavenny Chronicle, 5 February 1915):

[PJ Fisher]

"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):

[PJ Fisher]

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):

[PJ Fisher]

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):



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/

[PJ Fisher]

'Brotherhood of Fractured Birdmen'
Are you eligible?
(respectivel from the Aspen Democrat, 9 February 1915; and Hearst's Sunday American, 31 January 1915):

[PJ Fisher]

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):