Lot 1266

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Description:

(1895 – 1918) VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MM. English flying ace of World War I and among the most highly decorated airmen in British military history. On July 9, 1918 McCudden was killed in a flying accident when his aircraft crashed following an engine failure. At his death he had achieved 57 aerial victories. Just under two-thirds of his victims can be identified by name since a substantial proportion of his "kills" were made over Allied-held territory. Very rare fine content war-date D.S., 1p. 4to., [France], Feb. 17, 1918, a "Combats in the Air" report for his 52nd "kill". Flying an S.E. 5 "Over Guemape" at 14,000 feet, McCudden engaged a "L.V.G.", a German two-seat reconnaissance and artillery spotting aircraft. He relates: "...at 10.25 A.M. engaged and L.V.G....fired a good burst from both guns, after which E[nemey]. A[ircraft]. went down and I last saw him...at about 8000 ft in a side-slipping dive possibly partially under control but I think he was out of control..." At bottom, the document is further signed by Major RAINSFORD BALCOMBE-BROWN (1895-1918), commander of McCudden's No. 56 Squadron. He adds: "This machine was stated by A.A. to be out of control, but they did not see it crash...I consider that it was not under control..." The New Zealander would also die in air combat, on May 2, 1918. His brother, William, would be lost in the war as well. Signatures a tad light, trimmed slightly at top with a file hole thereat, else very good.

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May 1, 2019 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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