First World War WWI 1914-1918 Aviation Art Print showing Royal Flying Corp Fighter Ace James McCudden's SE.5a from an Original Aviation Art Painting by Artist Roger H. Middlebrook GAvA

Britain’s second-ranking ace of WWI with 57 aerial victories was James McCudden. Son of an enlisted military man, “Jimmy” was born in barracks and started in the army as a bugler. With the beginnings of the Royal Flying Corps, his older brother Bill became one of the first ‘other ranks’ to receive flying training and this proved an inspiration to the younger McCudden as he was to work his way up from engineer to gunner and finally pilot. Not only was McCudden a natural in the cockpit but also a crack shot and one of the earliest exponents of deflection shooting. He is most remebered for his time with 56 squadron where he was involved in the upgrading of the S.E.5 and S.E 5a used by the squadron. A natural engineer he was to fit his aircraft with a red spinner from one his vanquished foes, an LVG. McCudden would be killed in a flying accident when on his way to take over command of 60 squadron.