AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ERA

138th Aero Sqn. USAS



Formed at Kelly field, Texas on 28 September 1917, the 138th Aero Sqn arrived in Scotland during March 1918 for further training. They then went overseas to France on 18 August equipped with the Sopwith Camel. During September experienced pilots began to arrive, however these were trained on the SPAD, not the Camel and it wasn't until 28 October that the 138th was declared operational.

In the postwar period they, along wth the rest of the FIFTH PURSUIT GROUP - the 41st, 141st and 638th Aero Sqns - formed part of the army of occupation and were based at Coblenz. Ultimately returned to the USA and disbanded in September 1919.

The emblem of the 138th was the "Charging Ram" within the 'V' signifying the FIFTH PURSUIT GROUP.


 


SPAD VII S.11421
Lt Jones
March 1919
Source: C&C(INT) 25/4


SPAD XIII S.16546
Major Kirby
April 1919
Source: OTF 14/3