Fokker Dr. 1 - Made famous by the theatrical exploits of Manfred Von Richtoften, ‘The Red Baron’, this highly manoeuvrable Fokker triplane with an impressive rate of climb was delivered to front line squadrons in October 1917. Of the 320 aircraft which entered service, sadly none exist today.
Nieuport Nie 17 - One of the few aeroplanes to have huge international appeal during this period, the Nieuport Nie 17 was exported from France to 18 countries as far apart as Thailand, Russia and the United States. Having captured a number themselves, the Germans then transported the aircraft to their own aviation companies who then made almost identical copies for the German Air Force.
Avro 504 - Designed by Alliot Vernon Roe in 1913, the Avro 504 entered service at the outbreak of the Great War on both combat and reconnaissance missions. A single-seat version introduced in 1915 sported a much larger fuel capacity, enabling it to enter into longer reconnaissance missions of up to four and a half hours’ duration. In 1915 four Avro 504s staged a spectacularly daring raid on the Zeppelin factory at Germany’s Lake Constance, destroying the hydrogen plant and heavily affecting the country’s ability to produce more of these hovering menaces.
Sopwith Pup - Built by the Sopwith Aviation Company for use by the Royal Flying Corp and the Royal Navy, the euphemistically named Sopwith Pup was actually badged the Sopwith Scout. Revered for its ease of flying, agility and manoeuvrability, this aircraft found fame in 1917 when it became the first aircraft to land on a moving ship. Soon afterwards, a number of Pups were deployed to a wide variety of ships, cruisers and battleships which had been hastily modified to support their operations.
Zeppelin LZ62 - The Zeppelin is unique in military aviation history and was well regarded by the German High Command, who recognised them for the long range, high payload bombers they were. In 1915 two Zeppelins dropped 24 50kg high explosive bombs over the eastern coast of the UK - the first time civilians on the UK mainland had been bombed from the air. The Zeppelin LZ62, the first of the ‘Super Zeppelin’ class, was a veteran of ten bombing raids over England.