Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Share #1 Posted January 1, 2009 The following grouping is that of Allen W. Bevin U.S. Air Service. There is not a lot of “uniform material” in this grouping, but what is there is significant in the fact that this is the very uniform that he wore while flying combat missions in Italy in the summer of 1918. The jacket itself exhibits much wear and use with numerous holes in the lower pockets as well smaller holes in the body and sleeves. Lt. Bevin is seen wearing this uniform is several of the following photos. All flying equipment and other uniform pieces are also named to Bevin. It is my intent to provide numerous images of the rare paperwork that is in this collection of artifacts. All items in this group came directly from Mrs. Allen Bevin who lived in Connecticut and I will post more images of the paperwork as time permits. I hope you enjoy it. – Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #2 Posted January 1, 2009 Allen Bevin trained and flew at Princeton University in the summer of 1917. He graduated from Princeton’s School of Military Aeronautics July 1, 1917 and commenced Aviation training at the 8th Aviation Instruction Center in Foggia, Italy, November 7, 1917. His first solo fight was on November 24, 1917. - After 24 solo flights totaling 856 minutes he received his first brevet in a Farman on November 24, 1917. He received his second brevet January 1, 1918. Lt. Bevin began advanced training in Caproni Bombers March 12, 1918. - He soloed in C-300’s as well as the C-450’s. He was brevetted on Caproni’s April 15, 1918; the same day he reached 5000 meters in altitude in 50 minutes. All advanced training was completed on June 14, 1918 and Lt. Bevin was ordered to Rome to report to Capt. La Guardia. In Rome he was assigned to the IV Gruppo Aero, 13th Squadriglia Aviation, Zona de Guerra (war zone) where he flew daily bombing raids over enemy territory. In August 1918, Lt. Bevin was ordered to Ford Junction Aerodrome in Sussex, England to train American pilots in the British Handley-Page Bomber. American airmen were transferring to Ford Junction to establish an all American Handley-Page Squadron to bomb the U-Boat bases at Zebrugge and Ostend. Per usual, the planes never arrived and Lt. Bevin remained in Sussex until the Armistice where he was made temporary Squadron Commander of the 140th Bombing Squadron. There is still more research to be done on Lt. Bevin. He seemed to be a real character. - He trained and flew with some of the best pilots of WW1; one of which, was Elliot White Springs, the author of the book “Diary of an Unknown Aviator” and other novels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted January 1, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted January 1, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted January 1, 2009 This Italian wing was coming off the sleeve. I placed some tacking stiches to maintain the wing in position Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted January 1, 2009 Gaunt, London marked insignia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted January 1, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted January 1, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted January 1, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted January 1, 2009 Inside French mfg. Flying Helmet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted January 1, 2009 Bevin's initials in British Style O/S Hat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #12 Posted January 1, 2009 Misc. insignia in Q-Tip Box from Mrs. Bevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #13 Posted January 1, 2009 Leather Puttees Lt. Bevin wore at Princeton and Europe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted January 1, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #15 Posted January 1, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #16 Posted January 1, 2009 Studio Photo of Allen in a Jenny at Princeton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #17 Posted January 1, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted January 1, 2009 Elliot Springs with hands on hips to the right of Allen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #19 Posted January 1, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #20 Posted January 1, 2009 Allen & Brother in a Studio Portrait taken in New York in 1919 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share #21 Posted January 1, 2009 His time begins........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted January 1, 2009 Share #22 Posted January 1, 2009 Good Morning & Happy New Year, Dennis! Holey Moley! What a fantastic group. I am really happy to see it.......and also that I am no longer collecting USAS guy's stuff! I would be green with envy! Now, I'm just thrilled to see this rare assemblage in the hands of a "Premier" collector. Rare - Rare - Rare! Bravo!!!!! Semper Fi.........wishing you a great acquistion year in 2009! Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGC Posted January 1, 2009 Share #23 Posted January 1, 2009 Amazing group Dennis, Happy New Year. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted January 1, 2009 Share #24 Posted January 1, 2009 "There is not a lot of “uniform material” in this grouping, but what is there is significant in the fact that this is the very uniform that he wore while flying combat missions in Italy in the summer of 1918." Not enough "uniform material"?????? Looks like plenty to me! If it doesn't meet your standards, please feel free to send it to me! Ok, I have always been fascinated by the Foggia pilots, basically because so little is know about them. Does anyone have a good history of the training? Also is anyone working on a comprehensive list of the pilots who were trained there? "Wings of Honor" is a good start, but definetly needs to be expanded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted January 1, 2009 Share #25 Posted January 1, 2009 It just never ends does it? Happy New Year Dennis!!!! Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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