1917 in aviation - Definition and Overview

This is a list of aviation-related events from 1917:

Events

February

• No. 100 Squadron RFC, the first British night fighter squadron is formed.

April

• Known as Bloody April, while supporting the Arras offensive the Royal Flying Corps loses 245 aircraft -- 140 in the first two weeks -- out of a initial strength of 365. Aircrew casualties are 211 killed or missing and 108 prisoners of war.
• April 6 - the United States declares war on Germany

May

• May 7 - British ace Major Edward Mannock claims his first kill.
• May 7 - British ace Captain Albert Ball (44 victories) is killed in a crash following a dogfight with Lothar von Richthofen, who also crashes but survives.
• May 9 - French ace René Fonck shoots down six German aircraft in a day.
• May 20 - German submarine U-36 is sunk by an RNAS flying boat
• May 25 - a mass air-raid by 21 Gotha G.V bombers attacks Kent.

June

• June 13 - 14 Gotha bombers make the most destructive air-raid on London of the war. Attacking in daylight, 162 people are killed and 432 wounded.

August

• August 2 - A Sopwith Pup flown by Sqn Cdr Edwin Dunning becomes the first aircraft to land aboard a moving ship, HMS Furious.
• August 7 - Dunning is killed on his third landing when the Pup falls over the side of the ship.

September

• September 3 - The US 1st Aero Squadron arrives in France
• September 11 - French ace Capitaine Georges Guynemer goes missing in action. Kurt Wisserman of Jasta 3 is credited with shooting him down, but his body is never found.
• September 26 - for the second time, French ace René Fonck shoots down six German aircraft in a day.

November

• November 20 - the Battle of Cambrai begins
• November 21-24 - the Zeppelin LZ59 makes a 6,757 km journey through Africa in 96 hours (average speed 71 km/h).

First flights

January

• Sopwith Camel flown by Harry Hawker

February

• Junkers J.4

April

• April 4 - SPAD S.XIII

September

• September 14 - Fairey III

November

• November 30 - Vickers Vimy

Entered service

February

• Sopwith Triplane with No.1 (Naval) Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service

March

• Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 with No. 56 Squadron RFC

April

• Bristol F.2A with No. 48 Squadron RFC

June

• Sopwith Camel