AMERICAN ACES OF WORLD WAR 1 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 42)

Norman Franks

American fliers in World War 1 fall into three categories. Those volunteers who enlisted in the French Aviation Service collectively became known as the Lafayette Flying Corps; they also manned the legendary, all-American Lafayette Escadrille. The second group of volunteers flew with the British, either in the Royal Flying Corps or the Royal Naval Air Service. The third group were those who joied the US Air Service after America came into the war on April 6, 1917. With no machines, the new arrivals had to acquire Sopwith Camels from the British and Nieuports and SPADs from the French. This is the story of American ace-of-aces Eddie Rickenbacker and his fellow pilots, men such as Raoul Lufbery, Frank Luke, Elliott White Springs, and George Vaughan Jr, whose skill and courage is a reminder of more heroic days.

*Comprehensive histories of the elite fighter pilots and the aircraft they flew

*A unique source of information researched by recognized experts, and rought to life by first-hand accounts from the combat veterans themselves

*Concise, authoritative text is supported by at least 30 specially commissioned original color artworks, new scale plans and the best archiva photography from around the world