AEF Aircraft Lists

Frederic Mason · 9 February 2008, 03:35 PM

Hello; Does anyone know if aircraft lists exist in any records of the French aircraft acquired by the AEF Air Service in France, 1917-1918?? If in the Gorrell Histories, what volumes and series? Does any casualty lists note the a/c lost with the pilot/crew? Has anyone in the societies put together such lists and published same in the journals? What issue of journals? Thanks for any input on this question. Have a great day. Garry Fry

Cliff · 9 February 2008, 10:20 PM

I've seen a few compiled lists for a few of the squadrons.
For example:
"The Hat In The Ring Gang" has two lists of all the Nieuport and SPAD serials used by the 94th AERO.

"First To The Front" has a list of the SPAD serials used by the 95th AERO.

"Nieuport Flyers Of The Lafayette" has a list of Nieuport serials used by the Lafayette Escadrille.

I remember seeing others in various issues of C&C(US) and Over The Front
ie. one I have at hand:
"C&C(US) V19#4 has a list of all known SPAD VII and XIII of the 103rd AERO.

Also of use is a list in C&C(US) V13#4 of SPAD serials. It is compiled from many sources including Gorrell and includes French and US SPAD 7, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17 serials along with Sqn. notations , markings, pilots and other info where known.

As I understand, Gorrell doesn't have any compiled lists of Sqn. aircraft, but it does contain the type of info you mention in a diffused form.

Cliff

Frederic Mason · 10 February 2008, 11:53 AM

Thanks a million CLIFF; These should certainly get me started on the missing items I'm looking for - matching losses and victories to serials. I hope to get to Maxwell AFB in May to dig into the Gorrells and am looking for leads to save time and digging. Will only have three days there. Anything you are looking for? Always glad to reciprocate. Frank Olynyks victory list does not have the serials complete, nor does Trevor Henshaws AEF loss list in

THE SKY THEIR BATTLEFIELD. Maybe the serials are not out there if these two cannot find them? Well, I hope they are. Keep in touch. Busy here helping a bunch of people put out a book on a WWII P-51/P-47 near-ace. Always fun to do. Cheers; Garry F.

Frank_Olynyk · 11 February 2008, 03:00 PM

You should check to see if Maxwell has a copy of the Gorrell Report before heading down there. If they do, it is only on microfilm. My copy is 35mm from the National Archives (which has the one and only original copy). As I remember, every microfilm reel I have seen at Maxwell is 16mm, and I do not remember any readers capable of reading 35mm. All of their's use 35mm cartridges.

And the reason why my USAS WW1 list does not have all the serial numbers is that I could not find them in the Gorrell Reports. The recon reports do not give serial numbers. Most of the serial numbers came from reports specifying the days flying and the aircraft to use by each pilot; so it is possible that the numbers are wrong and a different aircraft was flown.

Frank.

Frederic Mason · 11 February 2008, 08:19 PM

FRANK; Thank you very kindly for this important information on Gorrell, etc. I will contact Maxwell AFB shortly and check this out with them. I will still go there, as I have other research to do there as well and it is right on our route to Florida. And basically to check out their archives for future visits. I really appreciate your assistance here. Could you PM me about the availability of your WWII Pacific theatre, AAF-USN-USMC victory lists? I am interested in these lists as well.

Off-topic, but after many years I recently reread Leighton Brewer's RIDERS OF THE SKY. I was blown away by his grasp and handling of the wordage-poetry-what have you. It is a magnificent piece of work and I recommend it for everyone into WWI Aero. It is worth the time. All the best; Garry F.