"Hat in the Ring" (1 Viewer)

[PolarBear]

Now that John is issuing an American ambulance, I hope that he will do Eddie Rickenbacker's Spad from the 94th Aero Squadron 1st Pursuit Group known as the "Hat in the Ring Squadron". I got to know the widow of Alden B. Sherry, one of Rickenbacker's friends and pilots in the Squadron while I lived in Syracuse, NY where Sherry had been the president of a local bank prior to his death.

Here is how their planes looked.

 

[PolarBear]

Eddie Rickenbacker is the most famous US pilot of the First World War and a recipient of the Medal of Honour. Following the death of his father in the early 1900s he supported his mother by working in an automobile company. He moved into motor racing and became hugely successful, racing three times in the Indianapolis 500.

When the US entered the First World War he suggested a flying squadron of racing drivers. His idea was rejected but he was posted to France as an army driver. With his mechanical abilities he soon obtained a position as engineering officer at a flight training school at Issoudun from where he learnt to fly. In March 1918 he was assigned to the newly formed 94th Pursuit Squadron. Initially equipped with rather outdated Nieuports Rickenbacker nevertheless proved his abilities and on May 30th he became an Ace.

By August 1918 the squadron was re-equipped with newer, faster Spads and Rickenbacker continued his success. He became commander of the 94th ‘Hat in the Ring’ squadron and went onto amass twenty-six aerial victories, earning him the title of America’s ‘Ace of Aces’.

 

[lancer]

Captain Eddie led a rather remarkable life. During WW2, in October 1942, a B-17 he was travelling in got lost and went down in the Pacific. With little food or water he and other survivors were adrift for 24 days before being rescued. He wrote about it in a book titled "Seven Came Through". It is a fantastic survival story. -- Al

 

[PolarBear]

Captain Eddie led a rather remarkable life. During WW2, in October 1942, a B-17 he was travelling in got lost and went down in the Pacific. With little food or water he and other survivors were adrift for 24 days before being rescued. He wrote about it in a book titled "Seven Came Through". It is a fantastic survival story. -- Al

Al

I read that book as a boy in the 1950s. My dad had it in his collection.

Randy

 

[jazzeum]

He was also the head (and maybe founder) of Eastern Airlines when that company was a force. I think I read a bio or his autobio when I was a teenager. I remember him being quite an entrepeneur. I remember him saying that if you're going down in a plane and there's no chance of survival, go for the flames as death is quicker.

 

[lancer]

Al

I read that book as a boy in the 1950s. My dad had it in his collection.

Randy

Randy, I read it as a kid too. Really a fantastic story. Captain Eddie had a guardian angel watching over him. I eagerly await a JJD version of Rickenbacker's SPAD 13 or his Nieuport 28. Would love to see Frank Luke's SPAD 13 as well. Both very colorful and historically important WW1 planes that need to be done, IMO. -- Al

 

[Louis Badolato]

I definitely want a Jenkins Rickenbacker's Spad (I already have the classic K&C wood version of the place) but would prefer Raul Luftbery's Spad from the Lafayette Escadrille (I love the Indian Chief's Head squadron logo even more than the hat in the ring).^&cool^&cool

 

[lancer]

I definitely want a Jenkins Rickenbacker's Spad (I already have the classic K&C wood version of the place) but would prefer Raul Luftbery's Spad from the Lafayette Escadrille (I love the Indian Chief's Head squadron logo even more than the hat in the ring).^&cool^&cool

I'd go for Lufbery's SPAD, too. His Lafayette SPAD was in the standard one-color French tan/yellow finish. It had his personal good luck emblem, a swastika in red, on the sides. Lots of great aircraft from N/Spa 124 to do.:wink2: -- Al