AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ERA

90th Aero Sqn. USAS


The 90th entered service in early 1918 using the Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutters. These were supplemented by a few Br14s and a single SPAD XVI until replaced by the Salmson 2A2 in August 1918

Tumbling dice 'coming up seven' were originally the personal insignia of Capt William Schauffler while at the 1st Aero Sqn, and after transfer to the 90th and three months active service, they were adopted as the 90th official marking.

The 90th was one of the units that did not use stripes on the wings of their aircraft. Flights were denoted by different colours of their flight numbers. 'A' Flight used white with a dark border (1-6), 'B' Flight used yellow with a black border (7-12) and 'C' Flight used red with a possibly white border (13-18). Going by this, it would appear that my original (1991) depiction of a/c 12 was in error and it has been updated.


 


Sopwith 1A2
Lt H R Ellis / Lt P B Schuss
July 1918
Source: OTF 2/1


SPAD XI
Capt. W Schauffler / –
July 1918
Source: OTF 2/1


Salmson 2A2


Source: FMP Salmson Book

 


Salmson 2A2
Lt LM Carver/Lt GT Lindstrom
October 1918
Source: OTF 5/3

 


Salmson 2A2


Source: FMP Salmson Book