The First Team: Thornton D. Hooper and America's First Bombing Squadrons

First Edition; numbered 267 of 280. tall quarto, blue boards in pictorial dust jacket. (x), 162pp. The League of World War I Aviation Historians, Illustrations include numerous photographs, drawings and maps. Written by Col. Gerald C., Thomas Jr., USMC. The story of adaptation and innovation as the aviation element of the American Army attempted to overcome its extreme unpreparedness in 1917. As a member of the 96th and 11th Aero Squadrons, USAS, Hooper was involved with the creation of the bombing force from its earliest inception. His experience provides a close-up view of how the force was created, how it operated, and what it accomplished. Appendices include Table of Organization, Bomber Characteristics, Rosters of the 96th and 11th Aero Squadrons, Summary of Operations, October 1-31, 1918, and Conduct of a Day Bombing Raid. With a Postscript, Notes on Sources, and Index. Numbered 267 of 280. Signed and inscribed: "January 4, 1993 For Avery Chenoweth, artist, Marine, and fellow aviation enthusiast, whose work I have admired and will long remember, Jerry Thomas" by Thomas. A very fine, clean copy, jacket not clipped. Very small chip to jacket neat spine. tall quarto, blue boards in pictorial dust jacket.…