British Air Forces 1914 - 1918, Images of War

[dinomartino1]

A flight of De Havilland long distance day-bombing machines. Serny aerodrome, 17 February 1918.

Close-up of cockpit of Bristol Fighter

The armoury of the 149th Nlight Bombing Squadron at their aerodrome near St. Omer, 19 July 1918.

Pilots studying maps spread out on the elevator of a De Havilland day bomber. Serny aerodrome, 17 February 1918.

 

[dinomartino1]

These photos are thumbnails in case you are upset by the sight of human corpses.
I was not sure wether to post these or not as it may seem ghoulish but as these men flew until very late in the war without parachutes and this was the fate they faced daily I think we should understand what that actually meant.
We will never know if they already dead or not before the aircraft crashed.

 

[dinomartino1]

Bristol fighters over an aerodrome

Caquot kite balloon falling in flames after enemy attack near Boyelles, 3 February 1918.

Ground crew erecting a motor for bench test at Farnborough, probably 1917

Close-up of cockpit of Bristol Fighter

A circular redoubt of sandbags in which a machine-gun for the defence of Serny Aerodrome against hostile aircraft, 17 February 1918

Captured German AEG G.IV bomber biplane with RFC identification marks on the British erodrome at Saint Omer, 12 February 1918.

Captured German Pfalz D.III fighter biplane with the RFC identification marks on a British aerodrome at Saint-Omer, 12 February 1918.

 

[dinomartino1]

Sergeant of the RFC adjusting an Observer-Officers' oxygen-breathing apparatus at Serny Aerodrome, 17 February 1918

Filling an RAF kite balloon with gas. Gosnay, 2 May 1918.

 

[Pilot]

First, thx a lot for sharing all these photos and info...Wow...speachless...
Also, anyone here collecting WWI flight gear and flying equipment?
Probing the waters....
I do so...collecting WWI German/ Imperial flight gear and equipment plus Luftwaffe WW2 flight jackets...my main theme...
Just probing / asking... since I have a lot of allied WWI flight gear to trade and offer.
Please PM if in this kind of collecting line.
Thx

 

[dinomartino1]

Air mechanics of No. 18 Squadron working on a Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2B biplane overturned in a gale. Lovieville Aerodrome, November 1916.

Air mechanics of No. 32 Squadron "tuning-up" a Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5A. Further back are some Sopwith Camels. Humieres aerodrome, 6 April 1918

Air mechanic fixing and detonating a bomb under a Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b of No. 149 Squadron at their aerodrome near St. Omer, 10 July 1918

An observation balloon winch. In the foreground is the telephone cable on a separate trolley with men beside it wearing earphones. Gosnay, 2 May 1918

 

[dinomartino1]

An air mechanic handing photographic plates to an observer in a Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 near Arras, 22nd February 1918.

A pilot and observer watching an air mechanic detonating a bomb under a Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b of No. 149 Squadron, at their aerodrome near St. Omer, 18 July 1918.

Air mechanics fixing bombs to the under-wing of an Airco DH.4 day bomber. On the right is a Nieuport single-seat fighter biplane ready to start as an escort for the bomber. Serny Aerodrome, 17 February 1918.

Air mechanics salvaging bombs from the wreckage of a German Friedrichshafen G.III bomber at Villers, 21 May 1918.

Observer officers of an RAF balloon watching air mechanics folding a parachute. Gosnay, 2 May 1918.

Testing engines in repaired Airco DH.4 fuselages. Air mechanics swinging the propellers, endeavouring to start a reconstructed engine. Aircraft repair depot near Rang du Fliers, 12th July 1918

Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5As of No. 32 Squadron at Humieres aerodrome near St. Pol, 6 April 1918. The leader's engine is running and an air mechanic is seen holding the fuselage down to prevent the slip stream for the airscrew from lifting the tail

 

[dinomartino1]

Air mechanics removing the engine from a wrecked fuselage at the aircraft repair depot near Rang du Fliers, 12 July 1918.

Air mechanic handing a drum of ammunition for a Lewis gun to an observer in a Bristol Fighter of No. 22 Squadron. Vert Galland aerodrome, 1 April 1918. The pilot is Lieutenant Davidson and the observer is Lieutenant Morgan, they had 11 victories in two weeks.

Air mechanics working on wrecked fuselages at the aircraft repair depot near Rang du Fliers, 12th July 1918

Two artillery officers about to enter the basket of an RAF Caquot kite balloon to act as observers. Note the motor-winch and the number of air mechanics needed to hold the balloon down. Photograph taken in Gosnay, 2nd May 191

Air mechanics of the 149th Night Bombing Squadron detonating bombs to be dropped in one night. Aerodrome near St. Omer, 18 July 1918

 

[dinomartino1]

Air mechanics of No. 22 Squadron filling Lewis drums and Vickers belts at the "Armoury" at Vert Galand aerodrome, 1 April 1918

Air mechanics removing the engine from a damaged fuselage. Aircraft repair depot near Rang du Fliers, 12 July 1918

Air mechanics affixing bombs under the lower plane of an Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8. Poperinghe aerodrome, 12 April 1918.

Air mechanics of the 149th Night Bombing Squadron detonating bombs to be dropped in one night. Aerodrome near St. Omer, 18 July 1918.

Two observer officers of an RAF kite balloon watching the air mechanics folding a parachute. Gosnay, 2nd May 1918. Note the balloon on the left

Air mechanics affixing bombs under the lower plane of an Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8. Poperinghe aerodrome, 12 April 1918.

Air mechanics salving the wreckage of a German Friedrichshafen G.III bomber at Villers, 21 May 1918. Note the guard with a fixed bayonet beyond it.

 

[Bombing IP]

WONDERFUL pictures thanks .

BIP

 

[ausreenactor]

'Air mechanics'. Is there anything they didn't do?

 

[Pilot]

Speachless!!! thx a lot...,no words...only bravo and praises

 

[ausreenactor]

In Australian Army Aviation the masters of all shitty little jobs (or SLJs) are known as 'Groundcrew'.

 

[dinomartino1]

Pilots and Observers of No. 22 Squadron handing over papers before going on patrol, in accordance with the notice "Empty your pockets before going on patrol". This precaution was taken to prevent information reaching the enemy in the event of a forced landing. In the background are some of the Bristol Fighters of the Squadron. Serny Aerodrome, 17 June 1918.

Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5As of No. 32 Squadron at Humieres aerodrome near St. Pol, 6 April 1918.

Pilots of No. 32 Squadron examining a map before starting on a raid from their aerodrome at Beauval, 1916 (Fourth Amy aircraft park). On the left, an Observer in the nacelle of a Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2D biplane

The pilot and observer of a Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b, 149th Squadron, working the bomb releases on their aircraft. Aerodrome near St. Omer, 18 July 1918

The officers (including Major Mannock) and Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a scouts of No. 85 Squadron at St Omer aerodrome, 21 June 1918.

Repairing and re-assembling Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 biplanes at No. 1 Aircraft Depot at St. Omer, 19 December 1917.

Air mechanics working on the fuselage of a wrecked Airco DH.4 day bomber and a complete machine to the right. Serny Aerodrome, 17 February 1918.

 

[dinomartino1]

A chaplain conducting church service from the nacelle of a Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b night bomber at No. 2 Aeroplane Supply Depot, 1 September 1918

Pilots and Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5As of No. 32 Squadron at Humieres aerodrome, 6 April 1918.

An Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 plane starting on a flight in Le Crotoy, 9 July 1918

An infantry working party, possibly of the South Staffordshire Regiment, interested in a wrecked Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 biplane being towed by lorry and tender along the road. The Bucquoy-Essarts road, March 1917.

 

[dinomartino1]

The officers of No. 85 Squadron, including Major Mannock, in front of their Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a scouts at St Omer aerodrome, 21 June 1918. The bareheaded airman stood directly behind the black goat is Walter Hunt Longton.

A Clayton tractor towing a Handley Page O/400 bomber, with its wings folded, of No. 207 Squadron at Ligescourt Aerodrome, 29 August 1918

Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 (serial number B2258) and a Nieuport Scout (serial number B6821) biplanes at St. Omer Aerodrome at night, 19 December 1917

The fox cub mascot of No. 32 Squadron on the fuselage of a Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a biplane. Humieres aerodrome, 15 May 1918.

A toy owl mascot of a pilot of No. 149 Night Bombing Squadron. Behind him can be seen the nose of his Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b. Aerodrome near St. Omer, 18 July 1918

RAF pilot explaining the engine of an Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 to a number of French airmen at Le Crotoy, 9 July 1918.

 

[B-Man2]

Fascinating stuff. Thanks

 

[ausreenactor]

Wanna reply to the Fox pic, too much deleting.. Looks like a trained dog sitting up there proudly? Impressive hooter pic too.

 

[Pilot]

Wow!,,!

 

[dinomartino1]

Pilots and observers of the 149th Night Bombing Squadron. Taken on their aerodrome near St. Omer in front of an Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b, 10 July 1918.

Re-assembling aeroplanes at No. 1 Aircraft Depot at St. Omer, 19 December 1917. That on the right is a Bristol Fighter (probably of No. 11 Squadron RFC) presented by the Gold Coast. That on the left is an Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 single-seat fighter biplane. The engines of both are being tested.

A chaplain conducting church service from the nacelle of a Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b night bomber at No. 2 Aeroplane Supply Depot, 1 September 1918. Note that the men are still wearing RFC uniforms.

Observers (possibly of No. 27 Squadron) "drawing" their Lewis machine guns and sights from the "gun-room" at Serny Aerodrome, 17 February 1918

The pilot and observer in a Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 aircraft, the latter with his Lewis machine gun on Scarff mounting. Near Arras, 22 February 1918

King George V receiving officers of No. 52 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps near Bray-Dunes, 5 July 1917. On the left are seen Brigadier General John Harold Whitworth Becke, commanding the 4th Brigade RFC, and General Sir Henry Rawlinson

Testing a Rolls-Royce Eagle engine salvaged from a damaged plane at the aircraft repair depot near Rang du Fliers, 12 July 1918.

Two observer officers in the basket of a kite balloon. Note the telephones, map rest, parachute and parachute harness. Photograph taken in Gosnay, 2 May 1918

Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 (serial number B2258) and a Nieuport Scout (serial number B6821) biplanes at St. Omer Aerodrome at night, 19 December 1917.