The year of 1917 started out with the Germans achieving aerial superiority over the allies, due to superior aircraft with better armament: most German aircraft had two machine guns, while the allies only had one. The Germans relied on the Albatros line of aircraft for the first part of 1917 and had much success over the English. In April of 1917, the English lost well over 200 aircraft during the Battle of Arras referred to as "Bloody April."  

The Albatross outclassed allied aircraft for a short time before being made obsolete in the later part of 1917.  The San Diego Air & Space Museum's Albatross D.Va reproduction is in the paint scheme of Jasta (squadron) 5.

 Although new and improved Allied fighters were coming into service, such as the SPAD S.VII, they would not be available in large numbers until the middle of 1917. The SPAD S.VII would soon be replaced by the SPAD S.XIII, which along with the Sopwith Camel, would once again allow the Allies to dominate the skies by the end of 1917.  

The San Diego Air & Space Museum houses one of the remaining original SPAD S.VIIs in the world. It was built in Norwich, England in 1917.

In late 1917, the Germans introduced the famed Fokker Dr.I. Although the triplane acquired much notoriety through time, in actuality it was not that successful; it was slower than its contemporaries in level flight and while diving. Nevertheless, Manfred von Richthofen (the Red Baron) was able to claim 19 victories while flying the Dr.1. 

There are no original Fokker Dr.Is in existence today. However, the San Diego Air & Space Museum has one of the most accurate reproductions in the world.

Medals earned by the Red Baron, including his original Blue Max, on display at the San Diego Air and Space Museum.

Although the United States entered the First World War in April of 1917, large scale participation in fighting would not occur until 1918. However, Americans had partook in air combat since 1916, serving in the Lafayette Escadrille, a squadron made up of American volunteers. Eventually 38 pilots served in the squadron, with several other volunteers flying in normal French units. These volunteers not only helped the Allied cause, but would provide valuable experience to United States squadrons later in the war. 

Members of the Lafayette Escadrille with their two lion cubs, Whisky and Soda.

Insignia of the 103rd Aero Squadron, originally the crest of the Lafayette Escadrille. 

At the end of 1917, the war was still raging on and deaths on the ground and in the air continued with no end in sight.