World War I – Gaëtan Marie's Aviation Profiles

Bréguet 14

Gaëtan Marie — Sat, 24 May 2008 17:18:21 +0000

The Breguet 14 was the workhorse of the French aviation arm during World War I and proved useful long after the Armistice. This model was created for a museum which will be opening in the fall of 2008 in Mayence.

1. Farman-built Bréguet 14 A2 of Br.35. This aircraft played an important role in the German surrender as it transported the German plenipotentiary, Staff Captain von Geyer, to Spa on November 11, 1918, with the final terms of the Armistice.

100% scale view of the pilot and gunner’s cockpits.

2. Bréguet 14 A2 n°49xx was used by the 1st Flight of the American Air Service’s 9th Aero Squadron. Between July 1918 and May 1919, the 1st Flight painted its aircraft in this fashion. At the end of the war, the 9th Aero Squadron remained for a few months in Europe, being part of the forces that occupied Germany.

3. This Br 14 A2 (n°200x) was built by Bréguet and was one of the first aircraft delivered to Br 221 in May 1918.

Engine cowling close-up.

Nieuport 11 (2)

Gaëtan Marie — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 17:09:06 +0000

11. Nieuport 11 #1763 of the 75a Squadriglia, Italy, 1916.

12. Nieuport-Macchi 11C, licence-built in Italy. This aircraft served with the Servizio Aeronautico Italiano in 1916.

13. Nieuport-Macchi 11 #3242 belonging to an unknown unit. Notice the unusual khaki camouflage.

14. Nieuport 11 C1 #1482 “Le Môme” (The Kid), Serbian Air Service, on the front of Salonika during World War I.

15. Nieuport 11 used by the Soviets in 1918.

16. Nieuport 11 built by the Dux factory in Saint-Petersburg. It was painted silver and assigned to 19 KAO, 1st BAG, where it was flown by senior non-commissionned officer Serikov, in Summer-Autumn 1916.

17. Nieuport 11 built by the Dux Factory in St Petersburg. The Russian roundels were painted in 16 locations.

Nieuport 11

Gaëtan Marie — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 16:50:14 +0000

The Nieuport 11 was a very successful and nimble fighter that led to an entire family of light fighters. It was better suited to counter the Fokker Eindekker than previous models were and was the favourite mount of several aces. It was licensed-produced in Italy.

1. Nieuport-Macchi 11 (ex-Ni.1615) captured by Austro-Hungarian troops and repainted. All crosses were painted on white background. The new canvas was nearly translucid.

2. Belgian Nieuport 11 called “Vampire”. Its pilot is unknown but a Nieuport 17 was later painted and called identically.

3. Nieuport 11 of the 5e Escadre de Chasse belge, flown by Adjudant Edmond Thieffry, the second Belgian ace with 10 victories, Spring 1917.

4. Nieuport 11 #1135, of Escadrille N26, flown by Count de Plandes Sioyes (?). This aircraft landed behind ennemy lines on July 3, 1916 and was captured by the Germans.

5. Nieuport 11 of Escadrille La Fayette flown by Clyde Balsley in 1916.

6. Nieuport 11 C1 #1344 of Lt Armand de Turenne (15 victories) in 1916, Escadrille N48. The ace’s family coat of arms was painted on the fuselage.

7. Nieuport 11 of Escadrille N67 flown by Jean Navarre (12 victories) in 1916.

8. Another Nieuport 11 flown by Jean Navarre: #576, Escadrille N67, 1916.

9. Nieuport 11 #131 of Escadrille N124 (future Escadrille La Fayette), flown by Chouteau Johnson, Summer 1916.

10. N.11 C1 #872 flown by Jean Navarre over the Verdun battlefield. The wings and horizontal surfaces were covered with linen fabric.

SPAD S.VII & S.XIII

Gaëtan Marie — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 17:29:51 +0000

These are among my first profiles, and were created in 2005 and 2006. Fortunately, my skills have improved !

The SPAD VII / XIII were among the best aircraft in World War I. The SPAD VII was successfully designed by Louis Béchereau to be a very fast aircraft. Although it was not very maneuverable, the SPAD was fast, could dive well and was a stable shooting platform. The SPAD XIII was an improved variant, which was equally successful.

1. French SPAD VII flown by Lt de Turenne of the SPA 48.

2. SPAD VII of the Royal Flying Corps, Sainte-Marie-Capelle, December 1917.

3. SPAD VII of the 23rd Squadron of the RFC, La Lovie, July 1917.

4. SPAD VII no 4707 of the 91a Squadriglia, Autumn 1917. This was the personal aircraft of Giorgio Pessi, an Italian ace with 6 victories.

5. Polish AF SPAD S.VII #11543 flown by the 19th Fighter Squadron, Zhodino Airfield, May 1920.

6. SPAD VII flown by S/Lt Edmond Thieffry, with the Belgian 5e Escadrille de Chasse, November 1917. Thieffry was credited with 10 victories.

7. S.VII flown by Jean Mistarlet of SPA 31. He was shot down in this aircraft and made POW on 7th April 1917, and the aircraft was captured. It kept the SPA 31 badge while flying with Jasta 38, as seen here.

S.VII of the 103rd Fighter Squadron of the American Expeditionary Corps, ex-Escadrille SPA 124 La Fayette. The La Fayette squadron was transfered to the US Army in 1918.

S. VII flown by Donate Pozzolo, commander of the XXIII Gruppo of the Italian AF, 1924. The coat of arms is composed with the emblems of the four squadrons included in the group.

7. S. XIII of the 23rd Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, Matigny, France, February 1918.