AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ERA

9e Escadrille


The 9th Fighter squadron was formed from the earlier 1st squadron. From November 1917 until early 1918 the 1eme was equipped with the Sopwith Camel. When the Belgian Air Service was reorganized in March 1918, the 1eme became the 9eme and was equipped with the Hanriot.

In early 1918, they adopted the thistle as a unit emblem with the motto "Nemo me impune lacessit" (no one hurts me with impunity). If the emblem was adopted AFTER they became the 9th Fighter Sqn, then the Camel is at 9eme. otherwise it may still be at 1eme, although it is the same unit regardless of the designation.

Coppens blue Hanriot is shown wearing his personal marking, which later was adopted by the 11th Squadron.


 


Sopwith Camel SK.7
Lt Jan Olieslagers
-
Source: Camel: King of Combat

 


Hanriot HD.1
Andre De Meulemeester
-
Source: Aerodrome Modeler


Hanriot HD-1  HD.24
S/Lt Willy Coppens
May 1918
Source: Hanriot HD.1 Datafile


Hanriot HD.1
Lt Jan Olieslagers
-
Source: Aerodrome Modeler


Hanriot HD.1
-
-
Source: Aerodrome Modeler


Hanriot HD.1  HD.23
Captain Willy Coppens
Summer 1918
Source: Aerodrome Modeler