First Victory - George Vaughn

L/E of 1250
S/N by the Artist & One Pilot
Overall Print Size: 30" x 24"

Plane Type: S.E.5a

This painting by Roy Grinnell depicts Vaughn's first victory in an S.E.5a, on 16 June, 1918, over Beaucourt, France. In Vaughn’s own words, "I remember my first combat victory. The Pfalz I was engaged with got a long burst into my tail before I knew he was even in the sky. That was a great lesson never to be forgotten, always see the other fellow first and never let him see you first. Fortunately his aim was quite poor and after that it was only the routine we had learned in combat school. Eventually he turned for home. I chased him, which wasn't the right thing to do as it turned out. When I finally caught up with him I was quite far into German territory and my flight commander really read me off later, because he didn’t relish being pulled that far into Germany just to watch over me. The Pfalz was confirmed by people in the squadron and on the ground. He fell in flames." Additional Pilot "Ace" Signature:
Ace George Vaughn


PLANE JUNKIE "First Victory" by Roy Grinnell (S.E.5a)