Airco DH.5 A9197

This scheme is taken from a photo from a private collection which depicts Harry Taylor in the cockpit of the DH5 presentation aircraft. The inscription on the side reads, "New South Wales. No.15. The UPPER HUNTER." Presentation aircraft were funded by civil interest groups and regions to furthur the war effort. The Hunter Valley in 1917 was a predominantly rural region with Newcastle at it's center which was an industrial coal and steel town. Today the Hunter is best known for it's Vineyards and Wineries.

This profile depicts the DH5 A9197 while the Squadron was still at Harlaxton and prior to the squadron flying France for operations. Note the white propeller boss, a photo of the same aircraft from the Oswald Watt collection depicts the same aircraft at around the same time in 2 Squadrons history with Stan Muir in the pilots seat. In the latter photo the propeller boss is dark. It is probable that a pilot put the aircraft on it's nose, necessitating a change in propellers.