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  • Strategic Bombing

    1917 also saw the Italian bomber come into its own as an important and effective weapon. As production of new aircraft increased, additional squadrons were equipped, trained and deployed against the Austro-Hungarians. The first night raids were conducted in early January and soon became a regular

  • About the Caproni Airplane

    The three-engine configuration not only gave the Caproni designs adequate power for heavyweight takeoffs, but provided a margin of economy and even safety since the aircraft could easily maintain flight with just two of the engines operating. An early maintenance, assembly and flight manual for the

  • First World War: The Early Years

    By May 23, 1915, the day Italy entered World War I, Caproni had designed and built a multi-engine bomber with range and bomb capacities to make it a potent offensive weapon. On Aug. 20, 1915, two of these Caproni three-engine bombers attacked the Aisovizza aerodrome with explosive and incendiary

  • Refueling Wagon

    This is an early type 283-gallon capacity refueling wagon for servicing airplanes with gasoline. While this trailer carried enough gas for refueling nine World War I Sopwith Camel airplanes, it would require 181 such tankloads of jet fuel to refuel a single B-52H bomber of the 1970s.Click here to

  • Macready's Presentation Saber

    When Capt. Macready resigned from the U.S. Army Air Service, the flying section's test pilots in the Engineering Division at McCook Field presented him with this ceremonial saber on April 17, 1926. Adorned with the Air Service crest on the scabbard and rubies for the eagle's eyes in the handle, this

  • Occupation of Germany

    World War I was known as "The War to End All Wars." Most Americans believed the slogan and from across the land came the call "Bring the Boys Home." U.S. troops were returned to the States as rapidly as possible, but a small number remained in Europe for occupation duty in Germany on the west bank

  • WWI Aircraft Radios

    The primary use of aircraft radios developed in the latter part of World War I was for directing the fire of artillery batteries. An observation airplane would circle in the air where its observer could see the enemy target and watch the artillery shells explode in the area. He would then telegraph

  • "Stumpy" John Silver: Heroic Winged Messenger

    Homing pigeons were used in World War I to deliver messages when other means such as telephones, telegraph, radio or dispatch riders were unavailable. They proved their value carrying messages from front line outposts to pigeon lofts at command centers, which they returned to by instinct and

  • McCook Field Wind Tunnel

    This wind tunnel was designed and built at McCook Field, Ohio, in 1918. Using a 24-blade fan of 60 inches diameter, the tunnel developed a maximum air speed of 453 mph at its 14-inch diameter choke-throat test area.It was used for calibrating airspeed instruments and testing airfoils. The item to be

  • Baron Manfred von Richthofen

    The leading ace of all nations during World War I was Baron Manfred von Richthofen, the famous "Red Knight of Germany." Although he scored most of his 80 victories while flying the Albatross fighter, he is most closely associated with the Fokker Dr. I triplane, the type of plane he flew during the