AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ERA

85th Aero Sqn. USAS


The 85th Aero Sqn arrived at the front on November 4th, 1918 and was scheduled for its first mission on November 10th. Five machines set out, one returned with engine trouble and the remaining four completed the mission. Three aircraft were damaged by anti-aircraft fire ('Archie'), but there were no casualties among the aircraft.

Their insignia was the 'war cherub', a winged cherub sitting atop the globe wearing an army hat. The Second Army wasn't as stringent on waiting to apply unit markings and they may have applied this upon arriving at the front instead of waiting for the usual commendation or time served as per those serving under the First Army.


 


deHavilland DH4 23114
Lt Palmer / Lt Rice
November 1918
Source: US DH4 Datafile

deHavilland DH4


Source: US DH4 Datafile