On this day in history

[Mage_016]

Actually "On April 1, 1915, French pilot Roland
Garros shot down a German Albatros
airplane. Although this was not the first air-
to-air kill, Garros’ airplane, a Morane
Parasol, was the first airplane that was
modified specifically for the purpose of
aerial combat. Working with designer
Raymond Saulnier, Garros had developed
reinforced propeller blades that deflected
bullets from a forward-firing machine gun
(which made hitting the target easier). Over
the next several weeks, Garros and his
airplane scored three more victories until he
was forced to land the plane in Germany
territory. He was taken prisoner before he
could burn the airplane, which fell into the
hands of the Germans."

Rest of the story you'll find from here.

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/es...Combat/AP4.htm