Photo Album USAAS

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay there is a photo album of USAAS aircraft captioned as being of the WWI period at:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/WW1-Photo-A...UAAOSwQgZfE6nB


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Seems like it Clint

Not much to write home about though....
The only identifiable serial number (the JN-4HG) was delivered in June 1918.
I am not very happy with that photo either, since it looks quite odd to be honest. Possibly because it lacks contrast.

Cheers
Stig

[musec04]

Hello Stig,


If you mean the machine with 761 on its fuselage agreed, that looks like an example of the photographer's 'art'. Still I thought 45235 looked ok.But generally I agree, not a great album for serials. Hopefully, board users with an interest in WWI USAAS aircraft will enjoy looking anyway.


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Indeed Clint

I missed 45235. It is possible to see that one as well and since it was delivered about December 1918, I believe "our hero" missed out all the action and probably never made it to France.

Cheers
Stig

[musec04]

Hi Stig,


Since we're discussing this photo album, could you tell me what is the significance of the larger number 761 on 41546?



Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Well Clint....

I have chapter and verse how the serial number should be applied. I also have the same with regard to how US combat aircraft should be marked in the war. However, the book in question, The official monogram US Army Air Service & Air Corps aircraft color guide 1908-1941, is totally silent regarding how trainer aircraft were marked from ca mid 1917 or so until the end of the war.

I believe these large numbers were assigned by the airfields the aircraft belonged to (and not the units themselves). I have always thought so anyway.
Due to the enormous increase in trainer aircraft from 1917, I guess the airfield commanders and perhaps everyone else felt a lot better if there were some rather huge digits applied for identification. I don't know if every airfield used this, but I believe most did. The exact meaning and if they used certain ranges for specific training, such as in this case, the 700 range was for gunnery training, avoids me. Probably quite likely.

I admit I have not studied the topic, since I know far too little about individual Signal Corps and Army Air Corps aircraft to be certain.

At some point it seems the system goes out of fashion. Perhaps at the end of the war? Instead the serial number seems again to be painted in large digits.

Sorry if I sound vague, but I only have the above mentioned about the topic. There are probably other more complete/correct studies on this topic elsewhere.

Cheers
Stig