Little Devils on Aeroplanes

I was a looking at a collection of WW1 aviation photos which belong to a friend of mine when I came across a group of pics showing the Snipe of a pilot who joined 4AFC in November 1918. *The pilot’s name was E A Collins and I think the Snipe was E8100 (for the bean counters its code was ‘B’).

What’s interesting is that the Snipe has a little demon on the cowling *which is thumbing its nose in the "Nyah, Nyah" manner. *(Ah Ha I hear my Canadian friends say!)

I recently read the article in C&C about these little devils and IIRC it said they were a car hood ornament which appeared relatively frequently in Italy. *(Darryl, If you could send me a copy of the article I’d appreciate it!)

The above makes me curious about how a brand new Aussie pilot in France gets an Italian hood ornament on his plane? * (Ah Ha I hear my Canadian friends say!)

The question is did Barker have his little devil on his VC Snipe, was it accounted for and if so where is it or where did it go? * Finally, if it went missing do you think some Aussie hydraulic* *snaffled it for his pet plane from the wreck of Barker’s plane at the Depot.



* They called them "hydraulics" coz they'd lift anything!

[Vin]

D'accord, Gordon, Honi soit

Bluey Truscott had a little red demon painted on his spitfire in WW11. He is reputed to have said to his old coach that it was natural for a bloke with red and blue painted on his 'plance to shoot down planes that had black and white markings.

(can't see how that is relevant at all thought I'd toss it in)


Vin

[PeterL]

I'll lay you a pound to a quarter of dolly mixtures that the aeroplane in question was built by Ruston & Proctor of Lincoln, one of the biggest of the Sopwith sub-contactors. The Lincon Imp is a local legend and is still remembered in the nickname of the local football team "the Red Imps". In fact here's the little chap below.Turned to stone in twelve hundred and frozen to death for tripping up the bishop during mass.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Sorry Mate, E8100 was built by Sopwith

If anyone could post a pic of Barker's Little Red Devil I'd appreciate it.

[Darryl]

Gordon,

Don't get around much anymore. (and yes, for those old enough, I DID miss the Saturday Dance).

I will photocopy and send tomorrow. I seem to recall a list of other articles as well, I'll dig it out.

Anyone else while I'm at it?

--------------------------------------------------

Vin

"can't see how that is relevant at all >but< thought I'd toss it in"

You're like me....you just can't help taking work into your personal life!!

ave

Darryl

[PeterL]

Sorry Mate, *E8100 was built by Sopwith *

If anyone could post a pic of Barker's Little Red Devil I'd appreciate it.

What? Wrong again? That's a quarter of dolly mixtures I owe you. Watch out for the orange ones. They can cause hyperactivity, so don't drive or operate heavy machiery. She'll just have to mow the lawn herself.

Gordon,

Barkers Snipe was serial #E8102 he crashed near 29 Kite Balloon Section, Lt. Frank Woolley Smith was the officer who dragged Barkers mangled body from the aircraft. The last I heard of Barkers Snipe it was in a crate in the bottom of the Canadian War Museum.
As to wherther or not Barker moved the Devil from B6313 to E8102 Wayne Ralph, the author of Barker VC, stated "Barker took off the metal devil attached to the foresight of the right gun (ref. to camel B6313). He had plans for it." There is no mention of E8102 ever carrying the devil, however, Barker liked it as a sight. Therefore, he would mostlikely have placed it on his new machine.

cheers,
jbs

[Vin]

Gordon,

Why this facination with little red devils ? Did anyone of note have a like personal insignia in the nature of a Bulldog ?

Darryl,

I am becoming more like you. I have taken to walking around with blue, green, black and red pens in my breast pocket.

Vin

Vin

Why this facination with little red devils ?

Why do any of us have an interest is contraptions made of wood, wire and cloth that tried to knock each other out of the air over 80 years ago? *

Coz it's interesting to find out. *

"A fact should be loved for itself alone!" *I can't remember who said this but it makes sense to me.

A little more information.

Darryl was kind enough to send me a copy of the C&C article.

According to the author, Andy Kemp, Barker did attach the devil to his plane.