[WWI] Added:SPAD VII Rene Fonck

[Helen and Chris]

>    Eric Gallaud sent in photos of his
> SPAD VII Rene Fonck,
> See http://www.wwi-models.org/Images/Gallaud/French/index.html#S7_Fonck

Eric,

félicitations, mon ami.  That model is superb!  I can only echo the praise of others and congratulate you.

I agree with you that Fonck never really got the credit he deserved.  But that was mainly his own fault!  His apologists blather on about him being insecure and that his bragging was a symptom of that insecurity.  There may be an element of truth in that.

But when you're fighting a war and trying to stay alive, you don't have the time, or the inclination, to massage egos.  Despite his tally and his formidable technique, his self- aggrandising meant he was not popular with his fellow pilots.  Or with the French population.

As you know, Eric, France is quick to recognise its many heroes and heroines. Streets named after her first aerial hero, Roland Garros, are everywhere. 

Despite his unwitting contribution to the evolution of the synchronised machine gun, Garros only ever shot down 3 aircraft.  But he died for France just before his 30th birthday in 1918.  He is a partial answer to Neil's excellent question about nice-guys.

The sickly Georges Guynemer was the epitome of the tragi-hero and had the sense never to be found after his death - thus increasing his kudos.  A nice-guy?  Udet may think so.

Hard drinking, womanising and globe-trotting, the injury-prone Charles Nungesser probably outraged Victorian standards.  But is he considered a nice guy?  Even before his death in mysterious circumstances!

Then there is the blasé Rene Dorme who had to be pressed into claiming a victory.  And the much injured Albert Heurtaux whose pain-wracked face must have wrenched at the heart of every mother.

Raoul Lufbery?  Ernst Udet?  Albert Ball?

Acceptable, probably.  But nice?  Can any calculating killer be a nice guy?  Bearing in mind that war can never, ever, be an excuse.

Something to think about, perhaps.

Chris

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