Early Aviation Photo Archive from Army Airfield at Fort Sill Oklahoma during W.W.I

Aviation, W.W. I

Photo Archive

Early Aviation Archive of 26 silver gelatin print photos. The archive includes over 20 images of Biplanes or balloons from WW 1 era. All photos unbound measuring aprox 7.25" x 5.25" inches. The pictures show early biplanes and aviators in the WWI era at Henry Post Airfield at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Henry Post at Fort Sill was a pilot training school for the first generation of American Army pilots. The men in this archive would have been part of the recently formed US Army Air Service, established in May of 1918. The army received its first test airplane form the Wright bros in 1909. In its first decade with aircraft the Army operated aviation squads as seen in this photo archive. There are multiple photos of the men in and around the early DH-4 two-seat biplane bomber of the First World War. The DH.4 biplane first flew in August 1916, entering operational service in France on 6 March 1917, less than a year later. DH.4 biplane was a conventional tractor two bay biplane of all-wooden construction with its fuselage and underside still covered by plywood. The DH-4 was the only American manufactured plane that saw combat in WW.I given the rudimentary state of US airpower and late entry into combat. The DH-4 was typically outfitted with 300 pounds of bombs. The archive includes many photos of the biplanes in the air, one photo shows several DH-4 bombers soaring in the clouds in a Flying-V formation. A handwritten caption on one image "October 29, 1918, Sergeant Schauble " is depicted flying in a DH-4 at 3,700 feet, as well as going on a "parachute trip". One photo shows a serious plane crash, with two DH-4s biplanes nose down in the ground. The pilots are also depicted in hot air balloons. Fort Sill was home to several US Army Balloon Companies during this period, which were still primarily used for reconnaissance and directing aerial bombardment during World War I. The photo archive includes many shots of biplanes in the clouds or on runways with pilots in goggles including 4 images of pilots or troops in group shots. Most photos show the planes or balloons in mid air. Many photos have black album paper on verso. Overall, this early military aviation archive is in very good condition.

Item #17717

Price: $1,250.00