Up to BuNo 9205 (first series) in the early 1930s, US Navy aircraft serials had an A prefix, but here it is already not worn on the fuselage nor on the rudder. A4061 was completed in October 1918 and sent to Pensacola. It received a new hull in 1921, but was declared surplus at Hampton Roads in 1922. In 1923 the airframe was sold without engines or instruments for $45. Photo from: National Museum of the US Navy

'Alongside submarine chaser USS SC 159.' A851 was based at Pensacola her whole career and would be struck off charge after a hard landing before 1919 was out. Photo from: National Museum of the US Navy

On 4 May 1917, six USN destroyers arrived in Cork, then in the UK, to help fight the German U-boat menace. By October 1918 at least 9000 Americans were based in the area and a seaplane station had been built at Aghada. Operations began on 30 September 1918 and 64 sorties were flown until the 11 November armistice, when there were some 28 seaplanes at Aghada. Photo from: National Museum of the US Navy

Spectacular livery at a time when it had to be hand-painted, Big Fish was operated by American Trans Oceanic from the shores of Lake Worth to New York. The aircraft was never civil registered - it was not a requirement at the time -but was given the number 5, presumably a fleet number. Big Fish crashed sometime during 1921. Photo from: Canada Science and Technology Museum