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  • Air Corps Development, 1919-1935

    Following World War I, many Americans believed the United States should never again become involved in European entanglements. Military appropriations were reduced dramatically and the Air Service was cut to only 10,000 men as of June 30, 1920. This reduction in funds had a paralyzing effect upon

  • Americans Join the Air War in Northern Italy

    While many of the Foggia graduates were transferred to the Western Front to fly with the American Expeditionary Force, about 75 remained in Italy under the command of Capt. Fiorello LaGuardia, who simultaneously held office as a Congressman from New York, and later served as Mayor of New York City.

  • 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

  • American Air Combat Stories

    Air combat in World War I was as varied as the people who flew and fought in the skies over Europe. The stories of four Americans and their personal effects on display at the museum illustrate their experiences. One of them was the first American serviceman to shoot down an enemy plane, and one was

  • Aircraft Recognition Collage

    Note: This item is currently in storage.This aircraft recognition collage, created by the 4th Photo Section, IV Corps Observation Group, assisted AEF personnel in identifying different types of operational German aircraft.Click here to return to the Featured World War I Artifacts index.

  • Air Service Enters Combat

    The first U.S. air unit sent to Europe was the 1st Aero Squadron, the same outfit that had served under Pershing on the Mexican border in 1916. Under command of Maj. Ralph Royce, it arrived in France on Sept. 3, 1917. Other squadrons gradually arrived, but all had to be equipped with airplanes and

  • Avro 504K

    In July 1913, the British A.V. Roe (Avro) Co. tested its first model 504 aircraft, and numerous variants followed—based upon the type of engine installed. The Avro 504 briefly saw combat in 1914-1915, but was quickly identified as obsolete and relegated to training duty. As a trainer, it gained fame

  • Army Buys New Airplanes

    On March 31, 1911, Congress made its first appropriation for military aviation, $125,000 for the year 1912. The Signal Corps immediately ordered five new airplanes. The first of these, a Curtiss Type IV Model D "Military", was accepted at Fort Sam Houston on April 27, 1911, and became Signal Corps

  • Almen A-4 Barrel

    The water-cooled A-4 barrel engine (18 cylinders -- two groups of nine each horizontally opposed) was the fourth experimental barrel engine built for testing at McCook Field, Ohio, by its inventor, Mr. J.O. Almen of Seattle, Wash. The project began in 1921 and by the mid-1920s, the A-4 passed its

  • Ansaldo

    This is one of the Roma's original Ansaldo engines, replaced by Liberty engines prior to the fatal flight of Feb. 21, 1922.This engine is not currently on public display.Click here to return to the Early Years Gallery. Find Out More Related Fact Sheets Roma Tragedy