1st Aero Squadron site

[Pick_axe]

This will be something of a self-challenge. A little back story is in order:
In 1913 the 1st Aero Squadron was formed in Texas City, Texas under the command of Captain Charles de Forest Chandler. Consisting of eight Curtiss JN-3 'Jenny' biplanes. It was assigned to General John J. Pershing's expeditionary force in Columbus, New Mexico.
In my opinion, Bill Curtiss was a better salesman than an airplane builder because the Jenny had a terrible reputation. In fact, at the end of the mission in New Mexico, six of the eight aircraft were in such bad shape that they were considered beyond recovery and burned.
I'm going to try to find the site where those planes were burned and see if there are any identifiable bits.
Anybody with further information feel free to contact me.

 

[philber]

AI answer -


The planes were burned exactly at the Columbus Airfield, located just south of the town center in Columbus, New Mexico

Captain Foulois set fire to the last two remaining Curtiss JN-3 "Jennies" right on the airfield grounds shortly after the squadron was ordered back to its home base to refit. Today, the exact site of this historic military airfield and the surrounding camp forms part of the Pancho Villa State Park


If it isnt still an airfield now, historic aerials might show where the airfield was located, or lidar could show the outlines of the field

 

[Pick_axe]

AI answer -


The planes were burned exactly at the Columbus Airfield, located just south of the town center in Columbus, New Mexico

Captain Foulois set fire to the last two remaining Curtiss JN-3 "Jennies" right on the airfield grounds shortly after the squadron was ordered back to its home base to refit. Today, the exact site of this historic military airfield and the surrounding camp forms part of the Pancho Villa State Park


If it isnt still an airfield now, historic aerials might show where the airfield was located, or lidar could show the outlines of the field

Thanks! I have an approximate location of the squadron's bivouac. I'll be flying a 3-D photo image to check it out. I'll be sweeping the area with the CTX-3030 to record where I've searched.

 

[philber]

Thanks! I have an approximate location of the squadron's bivouac. I'll be flying a 3-D photo image to check it out. I'll be sweeping the area with the CTX-3030 to record where I've searched.

would love to know what you find. Good luck!