Free State Plane

Irish military aviation began in 1922 when a single-engined biplane, a Martinsyde Type A mark II was bought to permit Gen Michael Collins to escape from London should the Treaty talks with Britain fail. By June 1922 the Air Service HQ had been established at Baldonnel and 14 pilots flew a total of 13 aircraft. The strength of personnel and aircraft grew slowly at first and by 1926 the Cadet Scheme had been introduced to select future pilots, a process which is in use today.