You'll know when you have arrived at the Great War Aerodrome when you see this gate.

This gate is based upon the gate that stood at the entrance of the 2d Aviation Instruction Center in Tours, France in 1918.  At that time Tours was the headquarters of the U.S. Army Air Service.  A photo of the original gate is shown below.  It is here that  the Aviation Section, Signal Corps became the U.S. Army Air Service.  In July 1918, the Army Air Service adopted as its branch insignia, a winged propeller, very much like the one on this gate.  This winged propeller has signified U.S. Army Aviators ever since and although it has changed slightly over time, it is an everlasting reminder of  aviation's early beginings.

To see how we built it, click on the "Building the Gate" link above.

2d Aviation Instruction Center, Tours, France, 1918

Current U.S. Army Aviation Branch Insignia