13th Aero Squadron - 18x12" Print

Artwork by Don Henderson.

Vector illustration of 13th Aero Squadron SPAD fighter".

These are the SPAD fighter planes of the Original Grim Reapers. The 13th Aero Squadron came into being in 1917 and saw its first combat on the Western Front in WWI. The Squadron was commanded by Harvard Law School graduate Captain Charles Biddle of Andalusia, Pennsylvania. Capt Biddle had joined the French Foreign Legion on April 13th 1917 and served in Escadrille N73 until January of 1918 when he transferred to the United States Signal Corps, Aviation Section, receiving a Captain's commission.
The 13th Aero Squadron produced 5 Aces and accounted for 29 victories in the Air. The squadron had several notable fliers besides Capt Biddle among its ranks, Hobart "Hobey" Baker (hockey fans will know his name for the Hobey Baker Trophy given to the best amateur hockey player), then there was Carl Spaatz who later went on to command the 8th and 15 Air Forces in WWII, the squadron produced several writers too, Capt Biddle wrote The Way of the Eagle, Leighton Brewer wrote Riders of the Sky and Stuart Elliot wrote Wooden Crates & Gallant Pilots.

The squadron lost 2 pilots in combat, and had 3 pilots taken prisoner after being shot down. Hobey Baker was killed in a plane crash after the war had ended.

The 13th Aero Squadron accomplished some amazing things in it's short service during WWI. The Squadron still exists today as the 13th Bomb Squadron of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB Missouri. 106 years of Reaper Pride!

Printed from an Epson Expression XP-15000 printer using Claria Hi-Definition Ink on a 13x19" sheet of  ultra premium luster photo paper.

Mailed in flat, rigid envelopes to prevent damage or curling, and are ready to frame.

* Watermark will not appear on physical print.