spad

Spads B9913 and B9911 are on the flight line at Mather Field, Sacramento, California, on April 14, 1919. The mechanic on the far wing is holding the wheel chock rope, indicating that the airplane is about to take off. Captains John Hambleton and Lowell Smith flew these two Spads that day. The Spad in the background lacks a fuselage roundel in the normal position and is thus inferred to be B9911 of the Victory Loan Flying Circus, Far West Flight.

Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker in 94th Aero Squadron, Spad XIII No. 1. Perhaps post-war, note the Fokker D.VII with engine running in left background.

B9920 was British-built by Mann, Egerton & Co., arrived in the USA in late-1918, and was then fitted with an American 150 horsepower Wright-Martin Model-A motor. It was one of four assigned to Ellington Field and may likely be photographed here at Ellington Field prior to April 10, 1919. Assigned to the Victory Loan Flying Circus, Middle-West Flight, it left on that date for a tour that included air shows in 23 different Midwest cities. B9920 was primarily a reserve ship on this tour, the primary Spads used being B9924 and B1374. Not more than two of their four Spads being used in any given air show. Its principal pilot would have been 2nd Lieut. J. Lafton Whitney. It returned to Ellington Field the night of May 12, 1919.