The nimble “Scout Experimental”
Legendary New Zealand fighter pilot Keith “Grid” Caldwell, engaged in more fights, for his time in the air, than any other pilot in WW I. He also commanded one of the most successful fighter units, No 74 ‘Tiger’ Squadron. In this interview excerpt he describes the capabilities of the British fighter biplane, the “Scout Experimental” or formally, Royal Aircraft Factory S.E. 5.
Year:[1916-18] (Recorded 1964)
Location:Western Front
The nimble “Scout Experimental”
Legendary New Zealand fighter pilot Keith “Grid” Caldwell, engaged in more fights, for his time in the air, than any other pilot in WW I. He also commanded one of the most successful fighter units, No 74 ‘Tiger’ Squadron. In this interview excerpt he describes the capabilities of the British fighter biplane, the “Scout Experimental” or formally, Royal Aircraft Factory S.E. 5.
Year: [1916-18] (Recorded 1964)
Length: 1:47
Production Company: Radio New Zealand
Source: Radio New Zealand collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Catalogue Reference: [Interview with New Zealanders K.L. Caldwell, R.B. Bannerman, H.L. Bailey and F.S. Gordon, who flew with the Royal Flying Corps]
People: Keith L. Caldwell
Location: Western Front
Image Title: Keith Caldwell
Image Source: Airforce Museum of New Zealand. Accession No: ALB9203803
After gaining his British Royal Aero Club Aviator’s Certificate at the age of 20 from the New Zealand Flying School (NZFS) in Auckland, Keith Caldwell joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and began further training in England in January 1916. Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant with only 35 hours of flying time under his belt, Caldwell was posted to No. 8 Squadron stationed in Arras, France and quickly proved himself a fearless and determined fighter pilot. By the end of 1918 Caldwell had been awarded both the Military Cross (MC) and Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his courage, skill and offensive tactics against the Germans and chalked up 1800 hours of flying time. In July 1919 he received Belgium’s highest military honour, the Croix de Guerre in further recognition of valuable services rendered during the war.
The following excerpt is from the website New Zealand History.
“Keith Caldwell was one of the most widely respected fighter pilots on the Western Front, especially when in command of No. 74 (‘Tiger’) Squadron. He was the highest-scoring New Zealand air ace of the First World War, with 25 credited victories. Had it not been for his indifferent marksmanship, he could have become one of the most outstanding aces of the war. On one occasion Caldwell survived a mid-air collision by skilfully guiding his crippled aircraft to the ground.”
Keith Caldwell was promoted to Air Commodore after active service in WWII and retired from the RNZAF in 1956.