Arthur Vigers
Encyclopedia
Captain Arthur Whitehair Vigers was a World War I flying ace
credited with 14 aerial victories. He was the third ranking of the 27 aces who flew the Sopwith Dolphin.
Vigers first served in the Signals Service, being both Mentioned in Dispatches and awarded a Military Cross in late 1915. He was seconded as an aerial observer to 15 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps
on 12 May 1917. Later in 1917, he was trained as a pilot. In April 1918, as the Royal Air Force was formed from the RFC and RNAS, Vigers was assigned to 87 Squadron to fly the new Sopwith Dolphin. On 3 June 1918, he scored his first victories, destroying a Fokker Dr.I
triplane and driving an Albatros D.III
down out of control over Herbécourt
. On 10 August, he became an ace by destroying two Fokker D.VII
s and knocking a third one out of control over Misery, France
. Vigers continued to score, and emerged from August with eight victories, and as the C Flight Commander. By 23 September 1918, his tally stood at six enemy planes destroyed, eight driven down out of control. Notably, only two of his triumphs were over two-seater reconnaissance planes; he had a dozen wins over fighters. He would not score again, though he remained with 87 Squadron past war's end, into 1919.
He emigrated to Australia postwar. He served with the Royal Australian Air Force at some point.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with 14 aerial victories. He was the third ranking of the 27 aces who flew the Sopwith Dolphin.
Vigers first served in the Signals Service, being both Mentioned in Dispatches and awarded a Military Cross in late 1915. He was seconded as an aerial observer to 15 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
on 12 May 1917. Later in 1917, he was trained as a pilot. In April 1918, as the Royal Air Force was formed from the RFC and RNAS, Vigers was assigned to 87 Squadron to fly the new Sopwith Dolphin. On 3 June 1918, he scored his first victories, destroying a Fokker Dr.I
Fokker Dr.I
The Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker was a World War I fighter aircraft built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. The Dr.I saw widespread service in the spring of 1918...
triplane and driving an Albatros D.III
Albatros D.III
The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service and the Austro-Hungarian Air Service during World War I. The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Manfred von Richthofen, Ernst Udet, Erich Löwenhardt, Kurt Wolff, and Karl Emil Schäfer...
down out of control over Herbécourt
Herbécourt
Herbécourt is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:The commune is situated on the D1 road, some northwest of Saint-Quentin, alongside the A1 autoroute.-Population:-External links:*...
. On 10 August, he became an ace by destroying two Fokker D.VII
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
s and knocking a third one out of control over Misery, France
Misery, Somme
Misery is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Population:-External links:*...
. Vigers continued to score, and emerged from August with eight victories, and as the C Flight Commander. By 23 September 1918, his tally stood at six enemy planes destroyed, eight driven down out of control. Notably, only two of his triumphs were over two-seater reconnaissance planes; he had a dozen wins over fighters. He would not score again, though he remained with 87 Squadron past war's end, into 1919.
He emigrated to Australia postwar. He served with the Royal Australian Air Force at some point.