Original 1919 black-and-white snapshot showing an unidentified U.S. Army Air Service aviator posed beside Avro 504K aircraft AS-62952 at Penn Field in Austin, Texas. The fuselage displays the U.S. roundel and the visible ending digits “2952,” with Penn Field buildings in the background.
The surviving pencil inscription on the reverse reads approximately:
“[W]hich crashed with Lt. Col. Rhine[hardt]
Penn Field Mar. 22, 19[19]”
Bracketed portions complete wording lost or obscured by damage.
The photograph matches the documented March 22, 1919 Penn Field accident involving Lt. Col. Claude K. Rhinehardt and Avro 504K AS-62952. Rhinehardt had flown from Kelly Field to Austin and was seriously injured when the aircraft crashed while departing for the return flight to San Antonio.
Because the aircraft is shown intact, this appears to be a pre-crash view associated with the accident. It may record the airplane at Penn Field shortly before its final flight. The posed aviator has not been identified and is not represented as Rhinehardt.
Rhinehardt was a prominent early Army aviator who had commanded the First Provisional Wing and organized the large 1918 Air Service aviation carnival at Belmont Park. The Avro 504K was an important Allied trainer, and only a small number of U.S. Air Service examples were returned to the United States after World War I.
Measures approximately 4 3/8 x 2 3/4 inches.
Condition: The photographic image remains sharp and displays well, with light age, surface and edge wear. The reverse has extensive paper loss and heavy black album-paper residue from its removal from an old album. Portions of the handwritten inscription are consequently missing. Please examine every photograph carefully for the complete condition.
One original period photograph only. Ruler is not included.
Original period photograph measuring approximately 4 3/8 x 2 1/2 inches. The image side presents very well, with strong contrast and excellent aircraft detail. It has light surface wear, faint scratches and marks, minor toning, and modest edge and corner wear.
The reverse has extensive adhered black album paper and severe surface/paper loss from its former mounting, obscuring most of the back. A historically important portion of the original handwritten caption remains partly legible along the upper edge. Please examine all photographs carefully for condition and exact content.
Type: Photograph
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
Year of Production: 1919
Date: March 22, 1919
Aircraft: Avro 504K
Aircraft Serial Number: AS-62952
Associated Person: Lt. Col. Claude K. Rhinehardt
Pictured Person: Unidentified U.S. Army Air Service aviator
Military Branch: U.S. Army Air Service
Location: Penn Field, Austin, Texas
Theme: Military Aviation; World War I; Texas History
Subject: Airplane; Aviator; Military; Aviation Accident
Image Color: Black & White
Image Orientation: Landscape
Format: Snapshot
Production Technique: Silver-gelatin photographic print, presumed
Unit of Sale: Single Piece
Antique: Yes
Vintage: Yes
Framing: Unframed
Approximate Size: 4 3/8 x 2 3/4 inches
Time Period Manufactured: 1900-1924
Country/Region: United States
Related Items:
L1919 Penn Field Avro 504K AS-62952 Lt Col Rhinehardt Crash WWI Original Photo
$75.00
