World War I –previously called "the Great War"– began less than eleven years after the Wright Brothers made their first flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. For the first time in history, combatants took to the skies over the battlefield and their presence changed military strategy forever. From 1914-1918, airplanes evolved from frail wood and fabric machines, little different from the original Wright Flyerof 1903, to more advanced, all-metal, aerodynamically efficient fighters, bombers and reconnaissance aircraft.

This collection of 1/48 scale models represents over 150 of these aircraft. These models were constructed by Dr. H. Logan Holtgrewe over a period of four and a half years. The World War I collection serves as a companion piece to the collection of WWII models which was installed in 2007. The new World War I collection features 153 model aircraft rendered at 1/48 scale. The centerpiece of the new collection is a 13 1/2-foot long model Zeppelin, complete with interior lighting.

The collection is now on display in the upper gallery of the Museum's Personal Courage Wing.