The "Big Ack" or "Ack-W," as flown by 18 year-old Canadian 2nd Lt. Alan Arnett McLeod of No.2 Squadron RFC, who, on March 27, 1918 , with his observer, Lt. Arthur Hammond, fought an epic battle with at least eight Fokker Triplanes over Albert, France, during the opening days of the great German spring offensive. During their fight, both were repeatedly wounded and their fuel tank set afire. McLeod crawled out on the Ack-W's port wing root, side-slipping the plane with his right hand on ghe stick , and punching through the fuselage fabric to manipulate the rudder cable with his left. In this way he managed to fan the flames away from their bodies. The fire quickly burned out the bottom of Hammond's rear cockpit, however, so he climbed out and straddled the Scarff Ring with his legs, all the while firing his Lewis gun and shooting down at least three attackers. McLeod crash-landed in no-man's-land. Wounded three times in the side, he was thrown clear, but Hammond, himself hit no less than six times, was too weak to extricate himself from the burning wreck. Though weak with blood loss, The Canadian pulled his badly wounded observer free, despite being hit once more by German ground fire, and dragged him to comparative safety in a shell hole. British infantry eventually rescued them. Hammond lost a leg as a result of the action, and earned a bar to his Military Cross. McLeod recovered sufficiently to receive the Victoria Cross for his deeds before returning to his home in Manitoba, But he remained badly weakened from his ordeal and readily fell victim to the Spanish Influenza pandemic, dying less than a week before the Armistice, still five months short of his 20th birthday. He was the youngest Canadian VC recipient of WW1.
In tribute to this gallant young man...
I have said it before, however, you are the Master of biplane builds. Magnificent Armstrong-Whitworth FK-8. Thank you for the Canadian history lesson.
Lou
What scale is your magnificent Armstrong-Whitworth FK-8?
Lou
It's 1/72, Lou.
And thank you, both for your kind words, and for the gift of your technique for wing alignment, involving building an alignment jig and running the struts completely through the wings. It makes the job simpler AND more precise.
I am please you found it useful.
Lou
An outstanding example of craftsmanship. The details and finish look great
Jim,
Another magnificent result. Superb model.
The history of the aircraft and the crew that flew it enhance the project.
Well Done!
Gordon