The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington, is the largest independent, non-profit air and space museum in the world. Like most airplane museums, the Museum of Flight includes displays of model airplanes to illustrate the history of flight. World War I—“The Great War”—established airplanes as an important part of modern warfare. For the first time in history, combatants took to the skies over the battlefield and their presence changed military strategy forever.
According to the display:
“Aviation technology underwent a period of explosive growth during World War I. As the countries began to recognize the usefulness of aircraft over the battlefield, they started investing heavily in the development of new and better machines. Development during the War was rapid and chaotic. Sometimes new aircraft did not progress beyond the original prototype while others were produced in the thousands, and revisions were often ordered even after the planes reached the Front. To keep up with demand, most designs were licensed out to multiple companies for manufacture. Aircraft designation systems developed alongside new machines, often struggling to keep pace. As a result, the lines between aircraft types were often unclear and untangling the details of World War I aviation presents a tremendous challenge for researchers.”
The collection of World War I airplane models, meticulously made to a 1/48 scale by Dr. H. Logan Holtgrewe over a period of four and a half years, includes 153 airplanes. Dr. H. Logan Holtgrewe used many sources to ensure that the models of World War I aircraft are presented with the greatest possible accuracy.
From 1914-1918, airplanes evolved from frail wood and fabric machines to more advanced, all-metal, aerodynamically efficient fighters, bombers and reconnaissance aircraft.
Shown below are some of the multi-engine airplanes in the display.
Shown above is a Blackburn Kangaroo (R.T.1., Reconnaissance Torpedo 1). This is an anti-submarine aircraft. It had a top speed of 98 mph and a service ceiling of 13,000 feet.
Shown above is a Handley Page O/400. First flown in 1915, this bomber was the largest aircraft built in Britain at the time. It had a maximum speed of about 98 mph, a range of 700 miles, and a service ceiling of 8,500 feet.
Shown above is a Vickers Vimy F.B. 27A. This heavy bomber was first flown in 1917. Only a handful were used in the War. It has a maximum speed of 100 mph, a range of 900 miles, and a service ceiling of 7,000 feet.
Shown above is an Italian Caproni CA.46. It had a maximum speed of 99 mph.
Shown above is an Italian Caproni CA.42.
Shown above is a Russian Sikorsky S-23 Il’ya Muromets VEH. First flown in 1913, about 85 of these airplanes were built. It has a maximum speed of 68 mph and a service ceiling of 9,800 feet.
Shown above is a French Caudron Type R.11. First flown in 1915, about 370 of these airplanes were built. It has a maximum speed of 120 mph, a range of 370 miles, and a service ceiling of 19,520 feet.
Shown above is a French Caudron Type G-4. First flown in 1915, 1,421 of these airplanes were built. It has a maximum speed of 77 mph and a service ceiling of 13,00 feet.
Shown above is a German Friedrichshafen G.111. First flown in 1917, over 700 were produced. It has a maximum speed of 87 mph, a range of 326 miles, and a service ceiling of 14,800 feet.
Shown above is a German Siemens-Schuckert Steffen R.1. First flown in 1915, it has a maximum speed of 69 mph, a range of 325 miles, and a service ceiling of 12,100 feet.
Shown above is a German Gotha G.V. First flown in 1917, 205 of these airplanes were built. It has a maximum speed of 87 mph, a range of 520 miles, and a service ceiling of 21,300 feet.
Shown above is a German Gotha (Ursinus) G.I. First flown in 1915, about 20 of these airplanes were built. It has a maximum speed of 81 mph and a service ceiling of 9,020 feet.
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