Countries with WW I Air Forces

[Bookmaker]

I am doing a little research related to WW I aviation.

Can some one fill me in with the countries that had significant air forces participating in WW I?

I know of these:

France, British Empire (all), Germany, United States, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Italy, Belgium

What countries am I missing?

Dale

[agblume]

They would not be considered significant by your criteria, but the air services of Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and the Ottoman Empire should not be overlooked. Shortly after November 1918 Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine would all have fledgling air services. And not to forget that the newly formed Red Air Fleet grew into a sizeable force to be reckoned with. Best regards, agblume

[JohnMacG]

there'a also Japan (aircraft from both the IJA and the IJN were used in the Tsingtao campaign).

There's also the neutrals: - Holland, Sweden, Norway & Switzerland all used military aircraft during the 1914-18 period, as did some South American states, Mexico for certain, but I'm totally unsure about the others.

[Bookmaker]

Thanks Guys.

[Bluedevil]

Belgium!!!!

Over Flanders fields!

They always seem to forget the country that saved their butt by flooding the western front...
We had an airforce too.. we even produced the number one ace balloon buster: Willy Coppens!
And although they didn't have the resources like Brittain and France they sure did their part during the war.
Need more info?
Let me know!

[Bookmaker]

Bluedevil, if you will look at my original post, you will note that I did not forget Belgium. Thanks for the reply however.

What I am doing is trying to obtain a collection of WW I era flags of the countries with significant air action. We are hosting a WW I fly in for radio control models in December. You'll be happy to know that I plan to include the flag of Belgium.


Dale

[Bluedevil]

I owe you an apology.

I must admit that I am a bit sensitive about the matter: the Belgian people do tend to be a bit forgotten in all matters WWI related.

However the offer still stands: if you need info I am offering my entire library ( over 75 WWI related books at your disposal )


And I am happy that you included the Belgian flag

I wish you lots of sucess with your fly in..;
Post some pictures if you can !

[agblume]

Hello Bookmaker, Happy to hear about your RC fly in coming up in December. May I suggest you post your details on the appropriate thread on AeroForum of WW1 Aeroplanes (WW1 Aero and Skyways Journals website). I'm sure their members would like to know about it. Also contact Tom Polapink (Models Editor) at the website. You should be in touch with one another. Birds of a Feather. Best regards, agblume

[agblume]

Hello Bluedevil, I am very happy to har about your love of Belgian aviation in WWI. I have always wondered why I never found a book (in English) about their full history, personnel, units, airfields, aircraft types, victories, losses. origins and organization, (??? balloon units). I have only seen a few articles about their aces, but nothing substantive. They have definitely been neglected. This has also been the case with my Russians and Romanians and Serbs, which is my research focus.

Have you thought about doing a article or two about the Belgians??? Especially their aircraft and markings. If so, please contact Mr. Carroll Gray, Editor WW1 Aero Journal - cfgray@mac.com. He might well be interested.

He is always looking for interesting articles with good quality photos.

Maybe you could even start a Belgian thread here on The Aerodrome. I feel it would be well received. There is a fantastic worldwide community here.
Best regards, agblume

[Bookmaker]

agblume, do you have a link to that site?

By the way, for anyone who is interested, the event is listed here on The Aerodrome in "Upcoming Events" and "Models-Radio Control" as "Southern Dawn Patrol".

Dale