Cockburn-Lange photo withheld from public

Sirs & Madams;
Here is an original, unedited photo from the now infamous Cockburn-Lange set. *It has been held back from publication, being released only in modified form until now, here shown for the first time the original photo as held in the Imperial War Museum photo section X files.
Respectfully Submitted For Your Consideration,
Bob

[Ross_Moorhouse]

This is the original untouched photo.. *;D

[leo]

According to unimpeachable sources, all German scouts will be carrying rolled up newspapers in order to do battle with Snoopy.

[Volker_Nemsch]

Until yesterday I was absolutely sure the the photo was a fake. Now I know the truth! Thank you for your good research!

(I remember that several old pilots called their aircraft a "crate". Now we all know now where this description came from.)

[Graeme]

Wesley Archer served in No 40 Squadron. The first known publication of the Cockburn-Lange photographs was in L'Illustration, Paris, 30 July 1932, p421; The Illustrated London News, London, 8 October 1932, p517; 22 October 1932, p601; 29 October 1932, p663 and 12 November 1932, p763.

The mystery was solved some years back by Peter M Grosz and Karl S Schneide. The results of their investigations appeared in Cross & Cockade International.

Archer is now credited as the author of "Death in the Air, the War Diary of an Unknown Airman." According to John W. Charlton, Archer claimed he made over $20,000 on the sale of the book alone (he also made about $8,500 from selling copies of the photos including a number to ex-WWI American aces).

Graeme

Gentlemen, you seemed to miss the import of this most interesting find: it offers just that much more evidence in FAVOR of the Cockburn-Lange photos' AUTHENTICITY !!!!
VBR,
Captain "The Ex-Gun" Lewis
PS Doubting a little beagle dog! You cynical bastards!
PPS O tempora! O mores!

Hmm. It also shows proof-positive of a previously unknown type; the Sopwith Kennel. ("What would Beagles do in a case like this?")

[BobE]

In my opinion the "Sopwith Kennel" is a very under rated aircraft (having never found it listed in the usual sources).
Notice the excellent visibility that the pilot has and how well the engine and all other flying components have been faired into the fuselage.This must have given it excellent speed and manuverability.Note also the ease with which the pilot can clear gun jams. Oh, and the unusual placement of the cockade.
Bob E

The Sopwith Kennel was a development of the British Aircraft Factory's K.E. 1 (for "Kennel Experimental"); the latter's importance in aviation history for being one of the first attempts to make a true combat aircraft, i.e. by mounting the pilot ABOVE the wing. From this revolutionary development came the eventual mounting of a GUN above the wing.
For further information concerning the flying and combat qualities of this forgotten Sopwith, please refer to C. Schultz's ADVENTURES OF THE RED BARON; the specific chapter is entitled "English Swine, French Pigs, American Beagles".

[albatros]

Look really close with a magnifying glass and you can see someone firing from the grassy knoll!