1staerosquadron

This is the Maximilian Schmitt Military Tractor, converted from the Maximilian Schmitt Monoplane of 1914 for military trials at North Island, San Diego. The correct spelling is "Schmitt."

This is a (albeit understandable) misspelling on the caption. "Lt. W.P. Irwin" should be spelled, "W.P. Erwin." This is a photo of American Fighter Ace William P. Erwin. Bill Erwin would go missing (and presumably drowned) during the ill-fated Dole Air Race from Oakland, CA to Honolulu, Hawaii. Erwin was piloting a Swallow airplane named "Dallas Spirit." Erwin and navigator Alvin Eichwaldt failed to return from a search for two other missing competitors, the Miss Doran and The Golden Eagle, and is presumed to have perished on 19 August 1927. See: William P. Erwin en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Portwood_Erwin Swallow Monoplane "Dallas Spirit" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Spirit Dole Air Race en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dole_Air_Race See other photos of Erwin during the Dole Air Race within the SDASM Fickr photostream, here are just two among many:

Curtiss O-1?

This aircraft is a US Army Air Service (USAAS) Fokker D.VII, likely one of among well-over 100 of the type surrendered/given to the United States by Germany, pursuant to the 1918 Armistice. Given the "Winged 1" insignia, it belongs to the 1st Aero Squadron, which was based at Mitchel Field on Long Island from 1919 to 1940. Various online sources suggest the Fokker is being put through a loop over Long Island by distinguished aviator Lt. Eugene Hoy Barksdale (1896-1926). Unfortunately, I've yet to discover sufficient information to confirm the location and pilot.

TVL1970 Thank you for the aircraft and squadron identification—we'll add both to the record.