2. The War in the Air Canadians who wanted to fly joined the British Royal Flying Corps. Canadian airmen proved to be fearsome flyers and quickly gained a reputation for bravery and skill in battle. When the war broke out in 1914, the airplane was a new and unproven invention.

3. Canadians in the Air Because of this reputation, Britain launched a pilot training program in Canada. By 1918, 40 percent of the British Air force Pilots were Canadian.

4. Who owned the Sky? Germany had the upper hand in the air at the beginning of the war: Germany 400 planes and the only Zeppelins French 156 planes British 113 planes

5. German Fighter Planes The Fokker, had machine gun with timed firing mechanism and outstanding maneuverability. Also known as a tri- plane Germans also had a superior fighter plane.

6. British Fighter Plane The British developed the Sopwith Camel in 1917 shot down more German aircraft than any other Allied plane. To compete with the Germans…

7. Why did young men join the air force? there was more glory then fighting in the trenches they got to fight in leading edge war machines better food, pay, and uniforms slept in warm beds

8. But…all at a high price! The average life of pilot = 3 weeks Air service was called “suicide service” Planes were called “flying coffins” The percentage of pilots killed was higher than any other military branch.

9. Air Aces Air Ace: was a fighter who had shot down at least five enemy planes Top air aces of WWI - Manfred Von Rickthofen aka 80 victories “Red Baron”(Germany) - Rene Fonck (France)75 victories - Billy Bishop (Canada) 72 victories - Ernst Udet (Germany)62 victories - Raymond Collishaw (Canada)60 victories

10. Canada’s Contribution in the Air Canadian fighter pilots brought down 438 aircrafts in WWI. Four of the top seven leading air aces in the Royal Air Force were Canadian!

11. Combat Techniques dogfights: dangerous aerial duels Let’s watch FACT & FILM: First Dogfighters Fill in the question sheet as you watch!