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They fought in canvas and wood biplanes that could barely fly 100 MPH. Men like von Richthofen, Rickenbacker, Bishop, Guynemer, Mannock, Ball, who flew airplanes with names like Spad, Fokker, Albatros, Nieuport, and Sopwith Camel. High above the trenches | they fought heroic battles with these primitive weapons. In this era, the top speeds were about 100 MPH. When the pilots ventured ten miles over the enemy lines, that was a notable event. The pilots carried no parachutes. The airplanes were made of | wood and canvas; when they caught on fire, it spread quickly, and spelled certain death for the occupants. The press and public, desperate for propaganda heroes amongst the waste and useless battles of the trenches, idolized the young heroes. |
