Markings for DH-2 1/48
No. 5967, Robert H. M. S. Saundby, No. 24 Squadron RFC, Flight A, France, July 1916
This pilot of No. 24 Sqn, whose full name was Robert Henry Magnus Spencer Saundby, gained a total of five kills over the First World War, three of which were flown from the cockpit of a DH-2 and his first victory was acquired with this aircraft. On July 31, 1916, he claimed a German Fokker Eindecker, which was credited as OOC (Out of Control). During the course of the same combat, which reportedly took place east of Roisel, he was wounded. Evidently, this was not overly serious, as by August 6, he shared another kill with John O. Andrews. Later, he was transferred to No. 41 Sqn. His last victim was the Zeppelin L48 airship. During the Second World War, as a staff member of Bomber Command, RAF, he took part in the planning phases of carpet bombing plans of German cities. He received a list of British and foreign awards, was knighted, and left the service in 1946 as Air Vice Marshall.
No. 5998, Capt. John O. Andrews, No. 24 Squadron, RFC, France, 1916
The DH-2 5998 was flown by twelve-kill ace Capt. John Oliver Andrews. He started his flying career as an observer and gunner in an Avro 504 with No.5 Sqn RFC. He received his pilot rating on October 14, 1915, and was assigned to No. 24 Sqn equipped with DH-2s. He flew combat against German aces and on April 27, 1916, damaged the Eindecker flown by Max Immelmann. On November 22, 1916, he gained his seventh and last kill with No. 24 Sqn. It looks like Stefan Kirmaier, CO of Jasta 2 and an eleven kill ace was his victim. The following day, Andrews took part in combat that claimed the life of seven kill ace and No. 24 Sqn CO Lanoe Hawker, at the hands of Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen. Andrews was transferred to No. 66 Sqn thereafter and flew the Sopwith Pup. In all, he gained nine kills confirmed, and two listed as OOC (Out of Control). The second ace that flew this aircraft was Sidney Edward Cowan. Flying this airplane, he shot down a German two-seat LVG at Le Sars, thus gaining his fifth of seven kills. He died on November 17, 1916.
No. 6011, Capt. Arthur G. Knight, No. 24 Squadron RFC, 1916
Arthur Gerald Knight gained his first aerial victory on this aircraft on June 22, 1916. His victim was identified as a two-seat German LVG, destroyed in the vicinity of Courcelette in France. Knight shot down eight enemy aircraft up to the time of his death, all of which were achieved with DH-2. On October 28, 1916, he participated in combat where a fatal collision between Jasta 2 CO Oswald Boelcke and his colleague Erwin Boehme occurred. On December 20, 1916, Knight died, as he became the thirteenth victim of German legend Manfred von Richthofen.
No. 7851, Capt. William G. S. Curphey, No. 32 Squadron RFC, Flight C, France, 1916
William George Sellar Curphey gained a kill identified as a two-seat LVG on August 22, 1916, flying this airplane and he shot down six enemy aircraft altogether prior to his death on May 15, 1917. All his victories were achieved with DH-2 and No. 32 Sqn. The service career of this aircraft ended on January 7, 1917, at 1230 when it was shot down by Lt. d. R. Erwin Boehme of Jasta 2. At that time, E. G. S. Wagner of No. 32 Sqn, member was flying it. He did not survive and became Boehme’s ninth victim. Boehme reached a total of 24 kills by the end of the war. The black wheel discs with white centers and the C 1 code identify this aircraft as a part of No. 32 Sqn C Flight.