| 26" x 20" | "Top Cover" Don Connolly Countersigned Edition Size: 475 |
$125.00 (Cdn) |
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Like many another RFC units, 24 Sqn., depicted here on an escort mission with FE2b bombers, counted Canadians in its ranks. The SE5a (evolved from the "Scout Experimental no. 5") was considered to be one of the finest allied machines produced in WWI. Flown with great success by aces such as Bishop, Mannock and Ball, its reliability, speed, and thoroughbred 'feel' endeared it to many pilots - in the same fashion as did the latter day Spitfire, Sabre, and Hornet. It is understandable why the scout pilots so captured the attention of the media of the day. The image of the lone knight in full control of his nimble mount conjured up visions of the chivalrous past and captured the public's attention and respect. As one result, the scout squadrons attracted ample numbers of volunteers, including a disproportionate number of Canadians. In fact, of the top nine allied aces - those with 50 victories or more - four were Canadian. They were William Avery "Billy" Bishop, V.C. (72 victories); number three ranked Raymond Collishaw (60 victories); Donald MacLaren (54 victories); and William Barker, V.C. (53 victories).  The reality of the fighter pilot's life clashed somewhat with the public's perception. The wood and fabric 'mounts' were fragile and not equipped with such niceties as self-sealing gas tanks, armor plate, or parachutes; making the casualty rates predictably high. Also, the (surviving) fearless, carefree hero personified in the press was more likely to actually be a highly stressed and very serious professional.For an accurate historical account of the realities and extent of the Canadian contributions to the 1914-18 air war, the book "Canadian Airmen and the First World War", SF Wise, University of Toronto Press, is highly recommended.
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