David Putman's Spad

retread · 28 August 2004, 11:09 AM

I have read in several sources of David Putman occassionally flying an all red Spad while with the 139th Aero, although the aircraft remains unidentified. Also this is apparently not the aircraft he was killed in. I am unsure whether this was a type VII or XIII as the 139th (I believe) flew both types at one time or another.
Can any forumites positively confirm this one way or another and if so is it possible to specifically I.D. the aircraft?
Thanks

Lyle · 29 August 2004, 03:44 AM

Weldboy,
In C & C Journal Volume 18 No. 3 Autumn 1977, there is an article entitled "Putnam's Red Devil?" by Drew Eubanks, Bob Cavanaugh and Jack Eder where they try to provide credible sources of information to confirm this unique color scheme. A portion of a letter reproduced from Ted Tarbox, Putnam's mechanic with the 139th Aero Sqdn. (written to Bob Cavanaugh in 1961), states that "the scarlet plane was the most forgotten and least mentioned (planes of the war), although it had the Germans puzzled for a long time...Many have been in the limelight of publicity due to the hesitation of the 139th to come forward and be identified. But since the Dayton reunion (in 1961) many of the 139th are ready for posterity, that it is never too late to lift the lid. Consequently we have laid the groundwork to let the world know what the 139th really did in WWI...."

Tarbox also provided a drawing of the SPAD (which was a XIII C.I) in his letter to Cavanaugh, and some of his comments on it were "...Putnam carried no number, his scarlet plane had a gold 'O' on each side...We developed straight props on the 220 H.P. engines. We make our ACES with these props. Diving and climbing speeds nearly doubled; looping was very easy...."

Another source mentioned in the article was a letter from William B. Richardson to Carl O. Baetz, dated 18 February 1961. In this letter Richardson stated: "...Did you remember, Sears, Barret and I serviced Lt. Putnam's red SPAD as no one special had his plane..."

A photo is reproduced in the article showing Putnam standing next to a dark-colored SPAD XIII, with no apparent markings. He is standing right in front of where the 'O' would have been, so it's not visible. He flew another SPAD XIII (sn 15137) that was in the 139th's colors, along with oblique red-white-blue stripes on the fuse, and this is probably the one in which he was shot down. The photo of the 'red' SPAD originated with Donald Palmer, a pilot with the 25th Aero Squadron and the 138th Aero Sqdn.

Lyle

retread · 31 August 2004, 01:34 PM

Lyle,
Thanks. I think the photo you describe is also in "Who Downed the Aces of WW1" by Norman Franks. It shows Putman leaning against a Spad, his right arm resting aft of the cockpit. As you said - no visible markings.
You are correct about 15137 as being the aircraft he was flying when killed. Or at least as best as I can tell.