About This Quiz
Those magnificent men in their flying machines!
Well, they certainly were magnificent but they had one intention in mind while up flying among the clouds in the pale blue yonder... hunt down the enemy and KILL them!Â
Often called Knights of the Sky, air warfare was brutal and often a battle was over just as fast as it began. The aircraft at the time were the at the cutting edge of technology and were constantly improved as the war went on. Although their engines were not that powerful, World War I fighters were incredibly maneuverable and if you could out-turn your opponent, you certainly had an advantage.
The public soon began to latch onto these pilots, almost hero-worshipping them while the normal soldiers on the ground often loathed them and their flying machines.
Pilots would count how many aircraft or observation balloons they had managed to bring down, and soon a race was on to see who would end the top ace of the war.
But just how much do you know about these machines? Many countries flew and fought in the war, but the main protagonists were Britain, France, Germany, Italy and from 1917, America, each with their own designs that took to the air.
This quiz will test your knowledge of a time long gone, where brave men in their creaky planes flew high above the earth.
Let's see how you fare!
Most aircraft during World War I and even after it, were biplanes. Other designs were tried, however. Some were also very successful but generally, designers stuck with what they knew.
The plane designed by Fokker was the Eindecker, which roughly translated means one wing. It was a very successful fighter aircraft and terrorized the Allies in 1915 leading to the phrase, the "Fokker scourge."
The Fokker Dr 1 was a triplane design with three wings. The plane itself was made famous by Manfred von Richthofen, or the Red Baron as he was known. He was the top scoring ace of the war with 80 victories.
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Early World War I aircraft were not armed. They were used to spot enemy troop movements.
The next logical step was taking bombs on flights and dropping them out of the cockpit on enemy positions The observer or pilot did this,
Although they carried guns and rifles, shooting down another aircraft with them was virtually impossible.
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These airships were called Zeppelins thanks to the man who designed them, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin
This gadget cleverly stopped the guns from firing when the propeller shaft was in the way. Early versions often failed, however.
Logical right? It interrupted the bullet from being fired, hence the name.
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Yes, World War 1 aircraft were made out of wood. One, however, an experimental aircraft made by Junkers, the Jr1 was not only a monoplane but it was made from metal.
All wooden structural components were covered with canvas. These aircraft, as long as they had received no major structural damage in combat, were fairly easy to fix.
If we look back now, performance wise, these aircraft were not that impressive. Back in those days, however, they were the forefront of technology.
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Four eyes are better than two, right? Plus the pilot has other things to concentrate on ... like flying!
Yes, the second occupant of the aircraft was called the observer. Later, when they attached guns to the rear of the aircraft, they were the observer/gunner.
Yes, the Spitfire, although it is a fighter plane, does come from World War II.
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The Sopwith Camel is one of the deadliest fighters of World War I. It was incredibly maneuverable and a match for any German fighter.
In the hands of all the pilots that flew it, the Sopwith Camel destroyed over 1,300 enemy aircraft during the war.
Yes, around 70 different aircraft were used duing the war. These included reconnaissance, fighters and even bombers.
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Observation balloons were used to track enemy troop movements. These proved easy targets for fighter pilots.
Pilots that showed true skill in combat and recorded a certain number of victories quickly became heroes to the public back home. They were dubbed 'aces'.
Any pilot that dispatched 5 enemy aircraft became an ace!
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The Gloster Gladiator, although a biplane, served in the Royal Air Force in the 1930s and early 1940s.
Perhaps the most famous aircraft of World War I, the 'Red Baron' Manfred von Richthofen was flying one of these when he was shot down and killed.
Aerial encounters quickly became known as dogfights, a term that is still used in combat today.
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Aircraft identification was very important during a dogfight. Although planes were designed differently, having markings on the wings made them more visible.
'Archie' was to be feared and certainly was responsible in bringing down many aircraft during World War I.
Aircraft identification was very important during a dogfight. Although planes were designed differently, having markings on the wings made them more visible.
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The Fairey Swordfish, although a military aircraft and a biplane, served in World War II.
Aircraft identification was very important during a dogfight. Although planes were designed differently, having markings on the wings made them more visible.
The Sopwith Triplane first entered service with the Royal Air Force in 1916. Its design is said to have inspired the Fokker Triplane.
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Rotary engines were the go-to power plant for aircraft designers during World War I thanks to the fact that they were light. Unfortunately, at higher altitudes they were severely under powered.
Yes, although the parachute was invented in 1912, pilots simply could not use them as they were bulky and took up too much space.
The SE 5, produced by the Royal Aircraft Factory, first entered service in March 1917. It was an amazing fighter and quickly became a favorite with British pilots.
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The Dornier D17 was a medium bomber used by Germany during World War II.
Manfred von Richthofen or the 'Red Baron' as he was known, shot down 80 enemy aircraft during World War I.