Lonnie Ortega Aviation Art

Frame Size: 22"x 24" ~ autographed in pencil by: Lt. Douglas Campbell. Comes with a COA.

“THE FIRST VICTORY”

by Craig Tinder

14 April 1918 – 2nd Lt. Douglas Campbell of the Pursuit 94th Aero Squadron (the "Hat in the Ring" gang) intercepts his first German aircraft from his Nieuport 28c.1 fighter, near Toul, France. He shared credit that same day with 2nd Lt. Alan Winslow in shooting down the squadron's first confirmed victories. 2nd Lt. Campbell flew the squadron's first patrol and downed his first kill while his aircraft was outfitted with a single machine gun, instead of the usual two. He became the first American (from an American unit) to become an ace when he successfully scored his fifth enemy aircraft on 31 May 1918. He scored his 6th and final victory on 5 June 1918 and died at 94 years old on 16 October 1990.