World War I: Airco DH.2

Developed in 1915, the Airco DH.2 (right) was one of the first effective British fighters of World War I. Designed by Geoffrey de Havilland, the DH.2 was a response to the arrival of the Fokker Eindecker appearing over the Western Front. One of the first true fighters, the Eindecker began the "Fokker Scourge" which saw the Germans gain a decisive aerial advantage over the Allies. A pusher biplane, the DH.2 featured a forward-firing .30 cal. Lewis gun mounted in the cockpit. Together with the Nieuport 11, the DH.2 was decisive in regaining Allied air superiority in the early months of 1916. Later that year, the DH.2 was eclipsed by the next generation of German aircraft and was gradually withdrawn from frontline service. The aircraft continued to be used in other theaters until the end of the war.

Photograph Source: Public Domain