| Accession Number | P04167.002 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | c 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Portrait of Capitain Rene Paul Fonck, Spa 103, French Air Service, standing beside a SPAD XIII ...
Description
Portrait of Capitain Rene Paul Fonck, Spa 103, French Air Service, standing beside a SPAD XIII aircraft. Capitain Fonck was the most successful allied fighter pilot of the First World War, with 75 recorded victories. He developed a reputation for studying the tactics of his opponents and conserving ammunition during a dogfight. On two separate occasions, he shot down six enemy aircraft in one day. Awarded the British Military Cross and the Distinguished Conduct Medal, Fonck was one of the few air aces to survive the war.