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THE WORLD was at war, requiring creative thought as nations pressed scientists and 1
engineers to create better and faster ways to seize victory by defeating the enemy. Aircraft tweet

were involved for the first time, carrying out reconnaissance missions and taking photographs. retweet
The attitude seemed to be “If it flies, bring it along!” The year 1914 saw canvas and wood
biplanes used as World War One planes.

Danger from enemy aircraft caused pilots to get a bit of protection. Pistols and rifles started accompanying
them on flights, eventually leading to machine guns and extra reinforcement on the planes. Pilots such as
Rickenbacker and von Richthofen battled in the sky, no parachute at hand to help in case of the need to bail
out. They laid a claim to history, along with such planes as the Sopwith Camel, Fokker, and Albatros.

What are some of the World War One planes, where were they made, and how were they used? The AEG
C.IV, a twin-seat biplane aircraft, was built by Allgemeine Elektriztats-Gesellschaft (AEG). Germany used it
for reconnaissance from 1916 on through the end of the war, though it served as a bomber escort at times.

The U.S. Navy requested a plane in 1917 that could be used on land or water. The Aeromarine 39, a two-seat
plane, was built for land-based or seaplane training. Built by Aeromarine Plane and Motor Company of
Keyport, NJ, the pontoons could be detached and swiftly replaced with wheeled undercarriage when assigned
to land or carrier operations.

The Germans had many World War One planes created in series, such as the Aerowerke Gustav Otto C.II.
Nicknamed AGO, it was one of the best reconnaissance planes the German air force had. The Albatros C.III
Biplane, built by Albatros Glugzeugwerke, had a Mercedes liquid-cooled inline engine. Used for

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 reconnaissance, a pilot was in front and the observer/gunner in the rear. Both were phased out about a year
after being introduced.

Italy built its first fighter aircraft, known as “Hunter” but formally the A1 Balilla, built by Ansaldo. Up till that
time, they had used French planes.

Armstrong Whitworth of the UK built the FK.8 Army Cooperation Biplane Aircraft, affectionately known as
Big Ack or Big AW. A twin seat biplane, the pilot sat in front and the observer/gunner in the rear. Big Ack
was used for night and day operations, including bombing missions, reconnaissance, and close support.

With so many nations changing their factories into war machines, Austria took the plunge and had the Berg
D.I. Fighter built by Osterreichisch-ungarische Flugzeigfabrik Aviatik of Austria. It was a superior fighter and
escort for reconnaissance. Although not built until towards the end of the war, the plane was still impressive
with its good speed and climbing ability.

In 1916, the most important plane of French army was the Bre.14 Biplane, built by Breguet and powered by a
Renault engine… It was a bomber, fighter, and reconnaissance aircraft. The French design had incredible
success in battles, nearly always conquering the enemy.

Like Austria, Russia realized the need to create World War One planes. Sikorsky Ilya Mourametz, a bomber
and reconnaissance plane, was built by Russo-Baltic Wagon Company in Russia Its best feature, a bomb
sighting device and internal bomb bay, made it a prime craft of the Imperial Russian Air Force.

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