As you get geared up for a trip to a galaxy far, far away, here’s a brief look at the real history that helped inspire the aerial battles we love in Star Wars.
Before there were X-Wings, TIE fighters or Imperial Star Destroyers filling screens around the world, there were Sopwith Camels, Fokker Eindeckers and Zeppelins patrolling the skies over Europe in World War I, the birth of combat aviation.
The first use of aviation was reconnaissance over enemy positions. To interrupt these intelligence-gathering missions, pilots would take to the skies armed with revolvers, grenades, bricks or even ropes to attempt hooking the other pilot’s propellers!
This airborne fistfight took a turn when the Germans perfected the mounting of a machine gun to the front of the aircraft, synchronizing each shot with the rotation of the propeller so pilots could mechanically avoid shooting themselves down. The “Fokker Scourge” lasted until 1916 when the French Nieuport 11 and the Sopwith Aviation Company of Great Britain arrived to level the playing field.
Despite earning their celebrity 100 years ago, the “flying aces” of World War I enjoy uncommon legendary status that transcends national boundaries. Names like Eddie Rickenbacker, Billy Bishop, Albert Ball, and Manfred von Richthofen – better known as the “Red Baron” – occupy a unique place in military history and popular culture.
To see more incredible images of combat aviation’s beginnings, check out this The Atlantic’s World War I in Photos: Aerial Warfare gallery.
THE FILM
Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero is the incredible true story of a stray bull terrier mutt and the lasting bond he forged with the doughboys of the 26th “Yankee” Division at the onset of America’s entry into World War I. For his valorous actions, Stubby was the first dog promoted to the rank of Sergeant in U.S. Army history. The film has been selected as an official project of the United States World War I Centennial Commission and is the first animated feature for Fun Academy Motion Pictures and Labyrinth Media & Publishing, producers of motion pictures that entertain, innovate, and inspire audiences of all ages.
Starring Logan Lerman, Helena Bonham Carter, Gérard Depardieu
Music by Patrick Doyle
Animation by Mikros Image
The film is slated to theatrically debut in April 2018. For exclusive production updates, follow Stubby’s big screen adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and Pinterest!
