X-Nico

4 unusual facts about Albert Ball


Austin-Ball A.F.B.1

Albert Ball Sr, was (or had been) on the Board of Directors of Austins, and was certainly in a position where he might have presented plans for new aircraft to the company.

The Austin-Ball A.F.B.1 (Austin Fighting Biplane) was a British fighter plane of World War I built by the Austin Motor Company with design input from Britain's leading fighter ace at the time, Albert Ball.

Robin Hood Battalion

During WWI, Captain Albert Ball – fourth ranking ace of the Royal Flying Corps – had been awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in 1916-1917 while seconded from the Robin Hoods.

Sir Albert Ball

Alderman Sir Albert Ball JP (1863–1946) was Mayor of Nottingham and Lord Mayor of Nottingham, and the father of the famous Great War air ace Captain Albert Ball, V.C., D.S.O.**, M.C.


Albert Ball Memorial Homes

Alderman Albert Ball commissioned the building of the Albert Ball Memorial Homes in Lenton to house the families of local servicemen killed in action, in memory of his son, Albert Ball.

Foster mounting

Although possibly not part of the original intention the mounting allowed the Lewis gun to fire forwards and upwards, rather than straight ahead, to attack an enemy aircraft from behind and below, a favourite tactic of the ace Albert Ball and a precursor of the Schräge Musik tactics used by German night fighters in the Second World War.

Gerald Maxwell

He was attached to 'A' Flight, commanded by Captain Albert Ball, flying SE5 aircraft.


see also