spadxiii

The aircraft in the photo is not a JN-4 "Jenny", But a SPAD 13. This was a French build Scout/Fighter of World War 1. It was Manufactured by the French Aircraft Company Societe Pour L'Aviation et ses Derives (SPAD). This Aircraft can be identified as a SPAD 13 rather than the SPAD 7 due to the presents of 2 Vickers machine guns seen on the top of the engine cowl in recessed pits, the SPAD 7 had but a single machine gun. This aircraft type was used extensively by the French Airforce during the War producing such ACES like the famous Georges Guynemer (SPAD 7/13) and was flown and equiped the American famous Lafayette Escadrille Squadron, which is why or likely why this aircraft found its way to Camp Rathbun.

petemillair Thanks for the clarification!

This is not Lt. Rene Fonck. This is one of the last photographs taken of Capt. Georges Guynemer during a forced landing at Les Moeres airfield. He is shown working on the 200 h.p. Hispano-Suiza geared engine (carburetor possibly). He landed on this Belgian air service airfield in his new Spad XIII fighter aircraft, one of the first examples to the front. This photo was taken on Sept. 10, 1917. He was killed the next day on Sept. 11, 1917 near Poelcapelle, Belgium. He was found by the Germans but the area was heavily shelled. His identity card and a few personal items were recovered. There is some controversy as to what happened next. Some evidence suggest that the body was recovered, stored in a barn for a day or two... and then buried in an unmarked grave in the town cemetery. Others say he was obliterated in the shelling that followed his crash landing. He was to have died by a bullet wound through the head.

94th Aero Squadron ("Hat in the Ring Squadron"), 1st Pursuit Group, fighter pilot Samuel Kaye, Jr.'s SPAD XIII, nicknamed the "Acrobatic Easter Egg." The aircraft was reportedly painted light blue with red and white polka dots. Kaye was credited with four confirmed aerial victories during World War I.