Lafayette Escadrille Aircraft

**rkwright** · 03-13-2014 10:28

Does anyone know or have access to a timeline of aircraft flown by the Lafayette Escadrille? I had read somewhere (but can't find it at the moment) that it flew N.11s at its inception, in October of 1916 switched to N.17s, then to SPADs in Spring or Summer of 1917.... But I know you guys are the history buffs here! Any information?

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 03-13-2014 12:40

Hi Ryan.
You can't do better than start with the Osprey Elite Units book "SPA 124 Lafayette Escadrille" by John Guttman.
Rob.

**gully_raker** · 03-13-2014 17:28

G'day Ryan!
Not being into the History of the Lafayette boys I cannot help.
However I second Robs suggestion & you might like to visit "the Aerodrome" Historical Forum as there are many USA members who will be able to assist you.

Good Luck.

**john snelling** · 03-14-2014 04:51

Nieuport XI 28 Apr 1916
Nieuport XII 28 Apr 1916
MS type N May 1916
Nieuport XVI May/Jun 1916
Nieuport XVII Sep/Oct 1916
Spad VII Oct 1916
MS type P Apr 1917
Nieuport 24 and 24 bis 1917
Nieuport 21 Apr/May 1917
Nieuport 27 1917
Spad XIII Dec 1917

Sincerly, John

**rkwright** · 03-14-2014 06:47

Awesome thanks. One question... N17 and spad 7 around the same time? I had heard the spad wasn't there till spring of 17.

**fast.git** · 03-14-2014 06:58

Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte

Hi Ryan.
You can't do better than start with the Osprey Elite Units book "SPA 124 Lafayette Escadrille" by John Guttman.
Rob.

An excellent publication.

**fast.git** · 03-14-2014 07:03

Originally Posted by rkwright

Awesome thanks. One question... N17 and spad 7 around the same time? I had heard the spad wasn't there till spring of 17.

I don't have the referenced title in front of me, but I'll check later today. That being said, I don't believe SPA 124 transitioned to SPADs until 1917 (April). SPADs first began to reach French units in Aug 1916, but engine overheating issues and the resultant gun jams kept them from seeing widespread use until 1917.

**Dom S** · 03-14-2014 07:12

It was a gradual transition for them - they were redesignated SPA 124 in early June 1917, to reflect the fact that by then they were basically a SPAD VII squadron with a few Nieuports still knocking around, but they got their first couple of SPADs right back in November 1916, and then significant numbers in April 1917. They also had a couple of Morane P two-seaters until April 1917, which were occasionally used offensively, not just as squadron hacks.

**john snelling** · 03-14-2014 10:14

Originally Posted by Dom S

It was a gradual transition for them - they were redesignated SPA 124 in early June 1917, to reflect the fact that by then they were basically a SPAD VII squadron with a few Nieuports still knocking around, but they got their first couple of SPADs right back in November 1916, and then significant numbers in April 1917. They also had a couple of Morane P two-seaters until April 1917, which were occasionally used offensively, not just as squadron hacks.

Agreed, French had no squabbles about using mixed aircraft squadrons. It was more important to get the most modern aircraft to the squadrons then have a squadron of one type of aircraft.
Sincerly, John

**csadn** · 03-14-2014 14:08

Originally Posted by john snelling

Agreed, French had no squabbles about using mixed aircraft squadrons. It was more important to get the most modern aircraft to the squadrons then have a squadron of one type of aircraft.

[nod] What's more: From what I've been able to dig up, squadrons were infamous "pack-rats" -- when a sqdn. got new airplanes, they didn't outright scrap the old ones; the old ones were pushed to one side, and given just enough upkeep to allow them to be used if/when the new products started having problems. Couple that to the dodgy paperwork practices, and it's almost impossible to figure out who was flying what when.