Some photos from the early days of aviation
Discussion
With my mother now in a care home, my brother and I are clearing out her house. It's a long process because we keep finding things and reminiscing about the days when the family all lived there. At this rate it will take us weeks!
Anyway, there are many, many old photographs.
I'm not sure why we have these photos as my grandfather was in the Army, however we have always known that our grandmother was previously engaged to another soldier (who we are guessing may be in the last photo) and who was killed in the war. Our grandparents passed away in the 1970s so obviously we can't ask them and our Mother is not in the best of health.
Anyway, here are some scans of the photos - if anyone can give us more information it would be greatly appreciated.
Anyway, there are many, many old photographs.
I'm not sure why we have these photos as my grandfather was in the Army, however we have always known that our grandmother was previously engaged to another soldier (who we are guessing may be in the last photo) and who was killed in the war. Our grandparents passed away in the 1970s so obviously we can't ask them and our Mother is not in the best of health.
Anyway, here are some scans of the photos - if anyone can give us more information it would be greatly appreciated.
Interesting photos, thanks for sharing them! I think the first aircraft is a Royal Aircraft Factory SE5/SE5A and the second is a Sopwith Camelboth very common aircraft built for the RFC/RAF in huge numbers.
E: ignore my guesses FWD is on the money!
E: ignore my guesses FWD is on the money!
Edited by essayer on Friday 27th May 19:04
I was going to say Handley Page W8b for the first picture but it seems the "W" family were all pretty similar.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_Type_W
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_Type_W
TR4man said:
The guys at the back in the forage caps - I thought they were US Expeditionary Force, but they could also be RFC, although I cannot ID their tunic badges.
The CO with the issue black lab looks to be a major. In the First World War a squadron commander was often a major, so this is a squadron sized unit.
There are winged up pilots, an observer, some non-aircrew RFC. Given that there is only one observer, I would guess that this is a single-seat unit, and given the variety of uniforms it is not an operational squadron.
Given the number of badged pilots, this is not basic training.
So, a mixed commonwealth unit group photo, possible (guess) some kind of conversion unit.
Do I get a biscuit?
Ayahuasca said:
TR4man said:
The guys at the back in the forage caps - I thought they were US Expeditionary Force, but they could also be RFC, although I cannot ID their tunic badges.
The CO with the issue black lab looks to be a major. In the First World War a squadron commander was often a major, so this is a squadron sized unit.
There are winged up pilots, an observer, some non-aircrew RFC. Given that there is only one observer, I would guess that this is a single-seat unit, and given the variety of uniforms it is not an operational squadron.
Given the number of badged pilots, this is not basic training.
So, a mixed commonwealth unit group photo, possible (guess) some kind of conversion unit.
Do I get a biscuit?
The Spaniel looks to be slightly lame on the right front, and the body language implies he isn't getting on well with the Labrador.
The Labrador looks slightly smug, and suffering from minor indigestion. Suspect the Lab played the old 'Nobble-the-Spaniel-at-feeding-time-and-eat-his-dinner-as-well-as-mine' ruse.
Labradors are practically standard-issue for Commanding Officers, so would be an excellent choice for a spy if the germans wanted to find out about wildfowl shooting opportunities in the local area, the location of the best bars and brothels and the material condition of Haig's drinks cabinet. 
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