Something Caught My Eye

[pdmarsh]

While reading the latest issue of Air & Space Smithsonian magazine, something in the photo below caught my eye:

 

 

For anyone interested in some of the history behind The Fighter Collection logo we see posted on the DCS site, here is a link to the article:

 

http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/americas-first-combat-pilots-180953371/

 

Thanks,

Paul

[rajdary]

Thanks for the tip, very intresting.

[Roadrunner]

interesting read, thanks for sharing ;)

 

btw, liked that:

Flying World War I-era Nieuport 11s, the Kansas City Dawn Patrol was formed in 1988 to show folks at Missouri fly-ins the first airplane flown in combat by an organized U.S. squadron. One of the founders, Dick Starks, says that when F-22 or F-15 pilots accept an invitation to jump in his Nieuport cockpit, “They’re amazed. Three instruments on the panel, a stick, rudder, and throttle. And that’s all.”

[Rincevent]

For additional material, here is a nice page (French language, sorry) rich of photographs, markings and so : http://albindenis.free.fr/Site_escadrille/escadrille124Lafayette.htm

 

The 2/4 Lafayette squadron is still active today in French Air Force and is the direct sucessor of the original N124 squadron of WWI. They fly the Mirage 2000N K3 and are part of the French nuclear deterrence forces.

[army198527]

That is really cool. I have to say out of all units in the military as a whole, being apart of a aviation squadron was unique. You had the separation of officer/pilots and enlisted/mechanics and technicians, but the defying line was extremely blurred. You didnt want to see 4 birds out of 5 come home, you want to see them all. The aircraft and pilots were different and had virtually their own personalities. I loved this article. Thank you.

[pdmarsh]

To All -- Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad I went ahead and posted this.

 

Paul