An Army Air Service Photo Album

DH-4s of the 22nd Observation Squadron.

Different DH-4, same squadron.

Close-up of previous photo shows the pilot stripped down to his underwear.

Martin NBS-1 (MB-2) of Langley Field’s 96th Bomb Squadron.

This (I believe) is a Martin torpedo bomber, the MBT.

No aviation photo album from the 1920s is complete without the wreck of a JN-4

“The hapless pilot stands helplessly by as mechanics…” – this was the standard photo caption for such events as seen here.

This was a mystery plane…

…assumed it was a bomber, but couldn’t find a match…

…that’s because it’s a TC class airship. Probably taken at Langley Field.

Our photographer gets in the act (he’s on the left).

Taken a century ago, these photos came from a “soldier of the air” stationed at Langley Field and Maxwell Field in the early/mid-1920s.  Aircraft seen in these photos include the DH-4, NBS-1, JN-4, and a couple others. Enjoy!