For the Belgian contingency

StephenLawson · 3 August 2006, 04:21 PM

Greetings Members of the Aerodrome auxilary of the Belgian Contingency! Sirs, can you fill me in on this uniquely marked Hanriot HD.1?

Wingene · 3 August 2006, 11:36 PM

Hello,

Coxide is today Koksijde,
it is in the west of Belgium near to the coast,
there is still a military airport today, but I do not know if it is on the same place,

this is the site of the yearly airshow:

http://www.opendoorkoksijde.be/

regards

Jos · 6 August 2006, 01:36 AM

Hello Stephen,

The insignia is from 11me Escadrille de Chasse.

Jos

osterkamp · 6 August 2006, 06:49 AM

this aircraft was flow byLt Joseph Vuysteke in squadron 11 at the Moeren airfield in 1918 at this time the squadron was reequiped with the Sopwith Camel but some HD1 was still in service

StephenLawson · 6 August 2006, 11:32 PM

Most excellent information gents my sincerest thanks! One further question...why is the word Butterfly in English and not Flemish? Any insightful and relevant comments would be appreciated.

Jos · 8 August 2006, 12:40 PM

Stephen,

According to "Above Flanders' Fields" his name is Joseph Vuylsteke. He received his wings on 13 August 1918. "Steke" as he was known, was first posted to the 4me Escadrille on 8 September. He was posted to the Groupe de Chasse on 16 October, as a substitute for the loss of

Willy Coppens two days before, where Vuylsteke flew his first offensive patrol on the 22nd. Steke flew only 15 sorties, but was engaged in another five aerial combats, four of them attacks on observation balloons. One was destroyed (1 Nov.) for which he received the Croix de Guerre with Palme.
Though his plane -HD68- bore the 11me Escadrille's paper bird insignia, all his patrols were flown with 9me Escadrille.
Why he chose the English name "Butterfly" I don't know.

Jos

StephenLawson · 9 August 2006, 09:08 AM

The story of the paper - origami bird insignia has its origins with Coppens ...right?

Nieuport pilot · 19 August 2006, 06:17 PM

I am looking for photos of Coppen's No 17 and No 24 Hanriot Hd.1s. I am building a full scale Hd.1 and need to decide on a paint scheme. I haven't seen any photos of No 17 and only two of no 24. No 24 was the five color French camo with starburst blue and white tail. What did No 17 look like?
Rick Bennett

JohnFitz · 19 August 2006, 08:17 PM

From the Osprey, Balloon Busting Aces Of World War 1, " My Hanriot had a Cocotte for a short time, as I had to paint the Thistle of the squadron when that badge was decided in spite of my idea that a thistle never attacked!". The description of both 17 & 24 goes on that they were the same and both had white cowlings and blue and white fan. Upper surfaces French camo. colors. Horizontal undersurfaces " painted an aluminium color". The vertiical stab. was camo. and each pilot had his colours on the upper side of the horizontal empennage. Hope this helps. Now if I can find out the colors of Coppens Nieuport 16 I'll be happy. Cheers!

JohnFitz · 21 August 2006, 07:31 AM

Also, There is a very nice color drawing of HD1 #24 by Alan Durkota showing all surface's in the, Flying Machines Press book,

French Aircraft of the First World War.