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Perhaps the most famous American Squadron of WW1 was the 94th
Aero Squadron. The unit’s insignia, an Uncle Sam Hat inside
of a red circle (symbolic of the United States’ hat thrown
into the ring) earned them the nickname “Hat In the Ring”
Squadron. Serving in the 94th were some of America’s most
Illustrious pilots, including Raoul Lufbery, who had already
become famous as a member of the Lafayette Escadrille, and Edward
Rickenbacker, who would end the war as America’s highest
scoring ace. As one of four squadrons making up the first pursuit
group, the 94th arrived in France in early 1918. For their first
few months of service the unit was equipped with the Nieuport
28, one of the most attractive allied aircraft of the war. However,
in July of 1918 design problems in the Nieuport 28’s wing
caused the unit to switch to the SPAD XIII, which they would
fly for the duration of the war.Uncle Sam’s Boys is a tribute
to the “Hat In the Ring” squadron and the first aircraft
which they made famous, the Nieuport 28. Pictured from front
to back are: Lt. Douglas Campbell. 6 victories, in “white
10”, N6164; Lt. Edward Rickenbacker, 26 victories, in N6169
(this could also be Major John Huffer as both men flew this aircraft);
Lt James Meissner, 8 victories, flying “dark 14”, N6144;
Lt Reed Chambers, 7 victories, in “white 11”, N6179.
Signed by the artist. |
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