The First Victory commemorates 2nd Lt. Douglas Campbell and the early combat history of American fighter aviation in World War I. The project was created with support from Hangar 743 and the Collings Foundation and incorporates original aircraft fabric removed during restoration of Nieuport 28 No. 512.
The Nieuport 28 Relic
The linen relic came from the horizontal stabilizer of Nieuport 28 No. 512 during its restoration to flying condition. The surviving aircraft is among the oldest airworthy American fighter aircraft and has been restored in markings associated with Campbell.
Original linen removed from Nieuport 28 No. 512 during restoration.
America's First U.S.-Trained Ace
Campbell served with the 94th Aero Squadron on the Western Front. On 14 April 1918, he and Lt. Alan Winslow each shot down a German aircraft near their airfield, victories widely recognized as the first credited to pilots of an American-trained unit in World War I.
Campbell continued to score during the spring of 1918 and became the first American-trained pilot to reach five victories while serving with an American unit. His career places him at the beginning of the U.S. military fighter tradition.
Pairing the story with fabric from a surviving Nieuport 28 creates a direct material connection to the fragile aircraft type flown by America's first generation of combat fighter pilots.
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