Corgi AA37903 Soci+¬t+¬ Pour L'Aviation et ses D+¬ri SPAD XIII C.1 United States Army Air Force White 1 Capt Edward 'Eddie' V Rickenbacker, 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, 1st Army, Gengault Aerodrome, Toul, 1918

This item has a limited edition certificate included.

Eddie Rickenbacker is the most famous US pilot of WWI and a recipient of the Medal of Honour. Following the death of his father in the early 1900s he supported his mother by working in an automobile company. He moved into motor racing and became hugely successful, racing 3 times in the Indianapolis 500. When the US entered WWI he suggested a flying squadron of racing drivers. His idea was rejected but he was posted to France as an army driver. With his mechanical abilities he soon obtained a position as engineering officer at a flight training school at Issudun from where he learned to fly. In March 1918 he was assigned to the newly formed 94th Pursuit Squadron. Initially equipped with rather outdated Nieuports Rickenbacker nevertheless provided his abilities and on May 30th he become an Ace. By august 1918 the squadron was re-equipped with newer faster Spads and Rickenbacker continued his success. He became commander on the 94th 'Hat in the Ring' squadron and went on to amass twenty-six aerial victories, earning him the title of Americas 'Ace of Aces'.