Study of an Airco DH.2.
The machine portrayed here was flown by Lanoe George Hawker, VC, DSO. Hawker distinguished himself flying the RAF B.E.2 aircraft with Number 6 Squadron Royal Flying Corp. He was twice wounded and awarded the Distinguished Service Order for attacking a Zepplin.
Major Hawker met his fate in a legendary duel with none other than the Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen) himself. Richthofen later wrote he knew he was up against a superb pilot. They circled each other in the air first one way, then the other, trying to gain an advantage on their opponent. The Red Baron's Albatros D.II was a superior machine being faster and more heavily armed than Hawker's DH.2. Nonetheless, Richthofen expended 900 rounds in the duel.
With his fuel running low, Hawker had no choice but to break away from the duel and make a dash for the Allied lines. The Red Baron's guns jammed 50 yards from the lines, however a bullet from his last burst struck Hawker in the back of his head, killing him instantly. German Grenadiers buried Hawker where his machine fell.