War in the Air Zeppelins Fighter Planes War Aces

The Zeppelin  Zeppelin airships were initially used for transporting passengers  Germans used 140 Zeppelins for bombing and reconnaissance missions.  Traveled about 60 MPH.  Posed a serious threat, as they were filled with gas. Any attack by gunfire would result in explosion.

Fighter Planes  The word "fighter" was first used to describe a two-seater aircraft with sufficient lift to carry a machine gun and its operator as well as the pilot…one to fly and one to shoot  Later, with technology there required only one person in the plane.

ACES  The best pilots became heroes and legends of their time.  World War one aviators were seen as more than soldiers, they were the “Knights of the Sky”

Edward “Mick” Mannock  Britain  Victories: 73  Second most in WW2  Described as the “Ace of Aces”

William “Billy” Bishop  Canada  Victories: 72  Canada’s highest scoring ace of WWI.

Manfred von Richtofen AKA: “The Red Baron”  Germany  The most successful flying ace of World War I, being officially credited with 80 confirmed air combat victories.