pre-topic: Balkan Wars aviation

[tayyareci]

My topic pre-dates WWI, but I hope members of the forum can help. I am looking for info about the number of aircaft and pilots for Britain, Germany, Austria-Hungary, France, Russia and USA just prior to the outbreak of the Balkan Wars in October 1912. I am interested in military aircraft and pilots, not aircraft in civil use or civilian pilots. Any information, with details of the source of information would be greatly appreciated. TIA

[Regulus]

Hi,

Not much but something. In 1910 the German army bought 7 airplanes and began training officers to become a pilot. By the end of 1911 the Lehr und Versuchungsanstalt für Militärflugwesen had about 170 airplanes and 150 pilots.
Source : Neumann, Die Deutschen Lufstreitkrafte im Weltkriege
I can give you some approx. statistics on the numbers of planes by the outbreak of war of some different countries :
UK : 113
France : 138
Belgium : 24
Germany : 232
Austria-Hungary :36
Russia : 224
The Russian fleet seems important however there has to be said that the efficacity was very low, they also had bad logistic support and the performances of the planes were also something different.
Concerning the USA I have no data.
Hope this helps a little bit.

VBR from Regulus