1917 in aviation
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This is a list of aviation-related events from 1917:
Events
February
- No. 100 Squadron RFC, the first British night fighter squadron is formed.
April
- Known as Bloody April, while supporting the Arras offensive the Royal Flying Corps loses 245 aircraft — 140 in the first two weeks — out of a initial strength of 365. Aircrew casualties are 211 killed or missing and 108 prisoners of war.
- April 6 – the United States declares war on Germany
May
- May 7 – British ace Major Edward Mannock claims his first kill.
- May 7 – British ace Captain Albert Ball (44 victories) is killed in a crash following a dogfight with Lothar von Richthofen, who also crashes but survives.
- May 9 – French ace René Fonck shoots down six German aircraft in a day.
- May 20 – German submarine U-36 is sunk by an RNAS flying boat
- May 25 – a mass air-raid by 21 Gotha G.V bombers attacks Kent.
June
- June 13 – 14 Gotha bombers make the most destructive air-raid on London of the war. Attacking in daylight, 162 people are killed and 432 wounded.
August
- August 2 – A Sopwith Pup flown by Sqn Cdr Edwin Dunning becomes the first aircraft to land aboard a moving ship, HMS Furious.
- August 7 – Dunning is killed on his third landing when the Pup falls over the side of the ship.
September
- September 3 – The US 1st Aero Squadron arrives in France
- September 11 – French ace Capitaine Georges Guynemer goes missing in action. Kurt Wisserman of Jasta 3 is credited with shooting him down, but his body is never found.
- September 26 – for the second time, French ace René Fonck shoots down six German aircraft in a day.
November
- November 20 – the Battle of Cambrai begins
- November 21-24 – the Zeppelin LZ59 makes a 6,757 km journey through Africa in 96 hours (average speed 71 km/h).
First flights
January
- Sopwith Camel flown by Harry Hawker
February
- Junkers J.4
April
September
November
Entered service
February
- Sopwith Triplane with No.1 (Naval) Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service
March
- Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 with No. 56 Squadron RFC
April
- Bristol F.2A with No. 48 Squadron RFC
June
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Categories: Timeline of aviation | 1917