AIRCRAFT OF THE ACES (55): MEN & LEGENDS – American Aces 1914-18

American fliers in World War I fall into three categories. Those volunteers who enlisted in the French Aviation Service collectively became known as the Lafayette Flying Corps; they also manned the legendary, all-American Lafayette Escadrille. The second group of volunteers flew with the British, either in the Royal Flying Corps or the Royal Naval Air Service. The third group were those who after America came into the war on 6 April 1917. With no machines, the new arrivals had to acquire Sopwith Camels from the British and Nieuports and Spads from the French. This is the story of American ace-of-aces ‘Eddie’ Rickenbacker and his fellow pilots, men such as Raoul Lufbery, Frank Luke, Elliot White Springs and George Vaughan Jr, whose skill and courage is a reminder of more heroic days.