Original Items: One-of-a-Kind. Here we have a lovely WWI photograph, mounted in a frame made from a U.S. DH-4 Aircraft, modeled after the British Airco DH.4. This was a Biplane designed by the famous aerospace pioneer and designer Geoffrey de Havilland. The U.S. Army Air service was equipped almost entirely with these planes during WWI.

Propellers regularly had to be replaced, and the laminated wood was a very popular item to make "Trench Art" items out of, such as this wonderful picture frame. The front is carved with decorations, as well as SOUVENIR AIR SERVICE on the top, and 1918 / AEF / FRANCE on the bottom inside a shield. In the center is an oval glazed window over the soldier's picture. The frame measures about 11 1/2" x 6 1/2", and has a hanger loop on the back.

There originally was a label attached to the paper on the back with information, but it has fallen off, however it was not lost, and is included. It reads:

GILBERT J. HOWARD Campbellsport, Wis.
3rd Regiment Air Service Mechanic
Made from a cross section of a DH-4
propeller at Romorantin, France

A great piece of WWI Aviation history, ready to research and display!

In 1917, upon the United States' entry into World War I, the first major U.S. aviation combat force was created when an Air Service was formed as part of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). Major General Mason Patrick commanded the Air Service of the AEF; his deputy was Brigadier General Billy Mitchell. These aviation units, some of which were trained in France, provided tactical support for the U.S. Army, especially during the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne offensives. Among the aces of the AEF Air Service were Captain Eddie Rickenbacker and 2nd Lieutenant Frank Luke. Concurrent with the creation of this combat force, the U.S. Army's aviation establishment in the United States was removed from control of the Signal Corps and placed directly under the United States Secretary of War. An assistant secretary was created to direct the Army Air Service, which had dual responsibilities for development and procurement of aircraft, and raising and training of air units. With the end of the First World War, the AEF's Air Service was dissolved and the Army Air Service in the United States largely demobilized.