Four downed (Allied) aircraft pictures

[drakegoodman]

A few more for those interested.


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- Brett

[horia]

Interesting.thanks for sharing.

[Ransom E. Olds]

Note that the Voisin in the fourth pic is armed with a Revelli MG, so it's presumably in Italian service. Ransom

[drakegoodman]

Originally Posted by Ransom E. Olds

Note that the Voisin in the fourth pic is armed with a Revelli MG, so it's presumably in Italian service. Ransom

You're spot-on Ransom. The reverse states "Erbeutetes italienisches Flugzeug 26/1/1916" - Captured Italian aeroplane 26th January 1916.

[Testerchild]

Hi,
Third picture seems to be FE2D. Serial number A3 served with 20 squadron, but I am not aware of it being lost east of the lines. Serial numbers A31 and A38 were also 20 squadron and were lost east of the lines 6th February 1917: In ‘A-31’ Lt’s Lucas & Gibbon were both killed. In the other ‘A38’ Lt. M.E. Woods POW, unwounded,but Lt. E.B. Maule was killed.

I think A31 is prime candidate: the guy 3rd from right has his right arm partly obscuring what could be the number 1 as in A'31: do you know the number for sure?

If it is either A31 or A38 here's an interesting fact: the Germans dropped a message over the lines the following day which reads as follows:

“We inform you …that on 6th February out of a squadron of three ‘Vickers’ DD*’ (260 Rolls Royce) 2 machines were shot down. In one of them, ‘A-31’, Lt’s Gibbon and Lucas dead. In the other ‘A38’ Lt. M.E. Woods unwounded, in captivity. Lt. E.B. Maule dead. Be good enough to forward enclosed letter from Lt. Woods.
We express our sympathy.
Lt. C. Traeger.”

The Germans also enclosed a photograph of Maule's grave, attached. Not sure why they got the date wrong on the cross, unless that was simply the date they found and buried him. The German letter is held at the National Archives at Kew, but Woods' letter has not survived.

I think the German letter makes for a valuable lesson in chivalry.

BTW: Guessing now: First pic a Nieuport 17? Second a SE5?

Best wishes
Bob

[drakegoodman]

Bob,

Not sure about the number I'm afraid - nothing on the picture's reverse.

Superb addendum to the thread, I'll include it in the narrative underneath the picture on my Flickr gallery - with an appropriate acknowledgment of course.

Warm regards,

- Brett

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Hi Brett:
The first picture is a Nieuport 24.
Blue skies Brett,
Dan-San

[drakegoodman]

Thank-you Dan-San

...and this is a R.E.8 (right Yavor ).

Reverse reads: "Abgeschossenes u. verbranntes engl. Flugzeug bei Bohncourt." Roughly, "Shot-down and burned English aircraft near Bohncourt (Boncourt?)."



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['14-'18aviationcollector]

Originally Posted by Testerchild

BTW: Guessing now: First pic a Nieuport 17? Second a SE5?

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the fascinating information about the FE2d's! What a fantastic story!

I am very sure that the second photo is not of an SE5a (very few SE5's served at the front). The front undercarriage legs are too far forward, the rear legs are too far back, the front main spar is too far forward, and the stabiliser and tail skid remind me more of the BE 2 series.

Hi drakegoodman,

At a cursory glance it sure does look like an RE8. The exhaust, tailplane and shorter span lower wings look about right.

Regards,

David.

[RAF56_Ball]

The third is not an SE-5 or 5a, based on the tail skid. The SE series had theirs mounted to the rudder post, not an A-frame. Having said what it isn't, haven't a clue yet as to what it IS.