NZFF

NP-VE (0009) by JanKees Blom, on Flickr

NP-VE (0007) by JanKees Blom, on Flickr

NP-VE (0002) by JanKees Blom, on Flickr

NP-VE (0005) by JanKees Blom, on Flickr

NP-VE (0008) by JanKees Blom, on Flickr

Amazing screenshots

The mermaid on the plane crackles me up and makes me laugh.

Regards,

Aharon

Whatever it is, it is not a Mermaid.
JK I feel you have some explaining to do...

"JK I feel you have some explaining to do.."

explaining?

what you see in the pictures are three Nieuports over Venice. During 1917-18, Venice was on the frontline of the war, with the Austrians occupying South Tirol and Friuli.
A French squadron, Escadrille 561, was based in Venice (at the Lido, there is still an airfield there) to protect it from marauding Austrian aircraft.
The individual aircraft were decorated by the pilots.
The dragon was Nieuport 24 no 4393, flown by MdL André de Loyseau de Grandmaison.
The Faun (or possibly the Greek god Pan, not a mermaid) decorated Slt Jean Bignin's Nieuport 24:



while 'Ocio! Fiol d'un can!' ('Look out! Son of a dog!' in the local dialect) was flown by MdL Edouard Corniglion-Molinier.



These three men together scored 5 victories over the Austrians, of the total of 12 victories for the entire squadron.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escadrille_Spa.561
and if you're not afraid of the French language: http://albindenis.free.fr/Site_escadril ... lle561.htm

I have been thinking of painting a few more of the 561st aircraft, but the (Big Radials) Nieuports in French colors do not seem to be that popular.

The formation shots were made with FlightControlReplay.

Excellent bit of historical insight!
From that French link:

The winter and spring of 1917 passed in inactivity, which the pilots took advantage of to paint splendid personal decorations on their aircraft.

That's war alright: hurry up and wait.
Who knows what Jean Bignin's classical education encompassed?
But I'd go for a faun, being one who is intoxicated with life!
Well done, JK.