Artillery-Spotting Salmson of the 12th Aero Squadron (US)

[LTJG NSCC]

"Old Carolina IV" is a recon/artillery spotting aircraft with the US's "12th Aero Squadron". I believe it is the Salmson, not the earlier "AR", although perhaps someone here can correct me. Notice the vulture riding an artillery shell, a strong hint as to the squadron's primary mission: directing the big guns accurately.

Primary instrument for doing so was "wireless telegraph", a radio transmitter which could only deliver Morse Code messages to the gun crews; when antennae were shot away or other malfunctions occurred, the backup plan was to actually drop written messages - an exceedingly awkward method! The gunner-observer was responsible for transmitting the fire corrections; in a Wings of War/Glory scenario, accomplishing this mission would certainly preoccupy the gunner/observer - he can't defend the plane and do his artillery spotting job simultaneously...

[csadn]

Needs to be a Salmson mini.

[Teaticket]

There are a couple from Shapeways.

http://shpws.me/oYMR

http://shpws.me/lJ3a

[Flying Helmut]

Got me one of each - trouble is, they're nowhere near the front of the queue!

[Teaticket]

They are on my list.... when I get to working on some American squadrons.

[greenalfonzo]

Needs to be a Salmson mini.

Agreed!

[grumpybear]

Needs to be a Salmson mini.

Some Italian ones for me