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While "ace" status was most often won by fighter pilots, bomber and reconnaissance crews, and observers in two-seater aircraft such as the Bristol F.2b ("Bristol Fighter"), also destroyed enemy aircraft. If a two-seater aircraft destroyed an aircraft, both crew members were credited with a victory.
NameCountryAir Service (s)Victories75 [6]Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force72 [7][b]62 [5]While "ace" status was most often won by fighter pilots, bomber and reconnaissance crews, and observers in two-seater aircraft such as the Bristol F.2b ("Bristol Fighter"), also destroyed enemy aircraft. If a two-seater aircraft destroyed an aircraft, both crew members were credited with a victory.
NameCountryAir Service (s)Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air ForceRoyal Flying Corps, Royal Air ForceRoyal Flying Corps, Royal Air ForceThe following are lists of World War I flying aces. Historically, a flying ace was defined as a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The term was first used by French newspapers, describing Adolphe Pégoud as l'as (the ace), after he downed seven German aircraft.
- Werner Voss. Werner Voss was considered as Germany’s Prince of Skies during the First World War and the only competitor to the Red Baron with regard to aerial warfare and victories.
- Georges Guynemer. Georges Guynemer was a famous French ace who had 54 aerial victories during the First World War. However, Guynemer had earned his celebrity ace status not only because of the overwhelming 54 kills but also for being one of the most chivalrous fighter pilots in the history of World War I.
- Donald MacLaren. Advertisement. Donald MacLaren stands out from his fellow air aces in terms of life expectancy in the Royal Flying Corps. With as many as 54 official aerial wins, MacLaren is considered to be the most successful ace of World War I to pilot the Sopwith Camel Aircraft, which, in turn, earned him his celebrity status.
- James McCudden. Longest serving and one of the highest scoring fighter pilots of the British Empire during the First World War, James McCudden is a recipient of the honorary Victoria Cross for his remarkable 57 aerial winning streaks.
- Albert Ball VC. © IWM (Q 69593) Albert Ball (1896-1917) was a British fighter pilot and, with 44 official victories, was one of the United Kingdom’s highest-scoring air aces.
- Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor VC. © IWM (Art.IWM ART 2880) Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor (1894-1921) was South Africa’s top flying ace during the First World War.
- William 'Billy' Bishop VC. © IWM (CO 1751) William ‘Billy’ Bishop (1894-1956) was Canada’s highest-scoring fighter pilot and one of the war’s top flying aces.
- Georges Guynemer. Georges Guynemer (1894-1917, pictured in the car) was a French fighter pilot and air ace credited with over 50 victories over the course of his service.
May 22, 2014 · 3. Albert Ball. Though his kill count of 44 fell short of many of his countrymen, flying ace Albert Ball was arguably the British Empire’s most beloved fighter pilot during World War I. Renowned ...
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Famous Aces, Forward Thinkers, and Good Stories of WWI Aviation. An ace was a pilot with at least 5 victories or 5 credits for downing an enemy plane. Different nations had different standards for counting and confirming victories, but many of the pre-eminent pilots of WWI were aces.
