<p>This replica is being built to represent an aeroplane flown by a Sunderland born WW1 pilot, Claude Ridley D.S.O., M.C. 
A photograph nearby shows Ridley sitting in ‘5191’ and dates from 1916 when with 60sqn, Royal Flying Corps, based at Vert Galant in France.
Ridley had previously been awarded the Military Cross for his part in bringing down Zeppelin L15 on the night of 31st March / 1st April 1916.
He was later awarded the Distinguished Service Order for flying spies into German occupied territory at night. On one occasion he was stranded by engine failure but despite being arrested in Belgium he successfully escaped and then evaded capture allowing him to escape to Holland, even managing to take details of German positions with him.
After this, aged only 19, he became the commander of 37 squadron based at Stow Maries in Essex.
The museum has a £10,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the construction of the replica, which is currently taking place in the workshop of the North East Land, Sea &amp; Air Museums (NELSAM), Sunderland, Tyne &amp; Wear, UK.
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11th September 2017.
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/65001151@N03">Alan Wilson</a> from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK
CC BY-SA 2.0
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajw1970/39022948764/">Replica Morane-Saulnier Type N ‘5191’</a>