Another lull....(where's Mick when we need him?...). So, I'll pass
along this interesting tid-bit, and the question(s) it raises:
One of my current building themes is a/c of the French Aces. I have a
SPAD VII that I'm looking to start, but already have done Guynemer's "No.2--
Veux Charles" machine, amongst others. What to do...?
Reading a copy of "Flying Machines of the First Air War, 1914-18" (McLeese),
long since O/O/P, it appears that McLeese is advancing the novel (at least, new
to me) theory that Georges Guynemer was, in fact, shot down by Verner Voss. To
substantiate the claim, he states that the time and place of Guynemer's
probable disappearance coincides well with Voss' 36th (uurrghh, or was it
38th??-- I can't find it now...) victory. Apparently, Voss stated that the
victim was "skilled", but failed to identify the machine.
The idea raises some interesting questions. Of course, I don't think
anyone is questioning Voss' ability to defeat an ace of Guynemer's caliber.
However, on this mission Voss was flying his trusty Dr.I (103/17). Which
probably means that he would have engaged the enemy at short range, and
probably would have been involved in some kind of turning, or otherwise
acrobatic, contest (else, how would he know the victim was "skilled"?).
This being the case, would he not then have recognized Guynemer's machine?
Certainly, had the French ace been in "Veux Charles", I think he would
have known who it was. But, which a/c was Guynemer flying? Didn't he
receive a 'new' S.VII that was "donated" by a student group at l'Ecole
(for some propaganda thingie, I'd guess)? And, was he not also slated to
fly one of the SPAD prototypes featuring the 37mm 'motor cannon'? Were
these two one-and-the-same a/c? If he perished in another machine than
his No.2, I'd very much like to build that.
I'm wondering-- certainly some better information/research has materialized
since 1968. Is anyone familiar with the current leading theory on Guynemer's
demise? Which machine was he flying? Has Voss' no.36 been identified? Is
the matter still a moot point? Does anyone else experience these brain
cramps?
Cheers, Erik }:^o
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"Here's to your Enemies' enemies!..."
--Old Irish Toast
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