Can anybody identify this plane (pilot) or the unit?
Thanks in advance.
K.
Thanks in advance.
K.
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Konrad,
I have no idea of the unit or pilot but I'm sure that the aircraft is an Albatros D.V.
Note the "V" strut between upper and lower wing and the rounded form of the rudder of the D.V compaired to the straight rear line of the rudder on the D.III.
Mike -
Who ever he was, the four leaf clover and horseshoe weren't
all that lucky for him.
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Originally posted by gregM View PostWho ever he was, the four leaf clover and horseshoe weren't
all that lucky for him.
Best regards,
Streptile
Looking for ROUND BUTTON 1939 EK1 Spange cases (LDO or PKZ)Comment
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Hello Konrad,
I agree that this plane is definitely an Albatros D.V. As Mike mentions, the curved rudder proves that this is not a D.III. Also, the visible aileron control arm and shroud on the upper wing confirms that it is a D.V and not the subsequent D.Va.
The personal marking of the horseshoe and clover leaf was (as far as I know) to an unknown pilot that served with Jasta 18, while it was commanded by Oberleutnant Rudolf Berthold. The planes of Jasta 18 had a red front half of the fuselage and a dark blue rear half. They also had the crosses on the fuselage painted over. If you look closely at the photo, you can see the demarcation line between the red front half and blue rear half, just aft of the pilot's cockpit. Notice also the lack of crosses on the side of the fuselage. The camouflage on the tops of the wings was mauve and green and the wing undersides were light blue.
Now here is where it gets complicated. In early 1918, Rudolf Berthold took command of Jagdgeschwader II, which consisted of Jastas 12, 13, 15, and 19. Berthold wanted to bring the pilots that served with him in Jasta 18 over to his new command. He eventually made a swap of the pilots and planes of Jasta 15 for the pilots and planes of Jasta 18. So as a result, the planes with the red and blue fuselages now become Jasta 15 and a part of his new Geschwader command. So that raises the question: Is this cracked up Albatros D.V the unknown pilot's plane in 1917 when assigned to Jasta 18 or is it his aircraft while assigned to Jasta 15 in late March of 1918? In my opinion, this is a photo from 1917, while the pilot was still with Jasta 18. I say this because the plane pictured is a D.V and not a D.Va. Although the D.V was still being used into the summer of 1918, by 1918 the majority by far (about ten to one) were the Albatros D.Va. Also, this plane still sports the old style crosses which were replaced with the Balkan style cross in mid March of 1918 and just before the Jasta 18 & Jasta 15 swap took place.
It's a great photo, by the way. There is a photo that exists showing either this exact plane (or its 1918 replacement) in a line up with other planes of Jasta 15. I have not see it in a long time but if you research Jasta 15 and Jasta 18, you might be able to locate it. It is possible that someone may even know this pilots name.
Best regards,
TomMihi libertas necessest!Comment
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Thank you so much for this explanation. It really helps me. The photo is part of an album with 100dreds of photos (Planes i never seen before).
Attached an photo with a wellknown pilot (in the album described as Boelcke and his officers).
K.Comment
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That's because the horseshoe is painted on there upside down. To be lucky, the ends should be pointed up to hold in the luck. That's what I was always told.Originally posted by gregM View PostWho ever he was, the four leaf clover and horseshoe weren't
all that lucky for him.
Gary
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Highly decorated officer in center is Max Immelmann not Boelcke. Note wear of St. Henry in superior position to PlM.Comment
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Yes thats right, the original owner mixed it up, another photo is showing boelcke and the writting say Immelmann. Attached 2 other shots, fascinating pictures with this "Revolverkanone".Comment
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Konrad, please post more photos, that looks like an incredible album
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Originally posted by KonradR View Post
A cannon in a bi-plane, I love it!
A "flying tank" or howitzer.
Looks like something built in a bicycle shop, but at that time it was probably considered state of the art weaponry. The WW I version of an A-10 Thunderbolt.
Great photo!!
Brad
.Last edited by Brad Posey; 09-14-2010, 07:20 PM.Comment
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That is a French Voisin Type 5 LBS, armed with a 37mm quick-firing cannon. (Some even had 47mm cannons.) This particular type was used mostly for ground attack. Pretty much obsolete even at the beginning of WW1, the French continued to develop and modify the Voisin throughout the war. They continued to use these right up to the very end of WW1 in the night-bombing role. You had to be either insane or very brave to fly in one of these.Originally posted by Brad Posey View Post
Best regards,
TomMihi libertas necessest!Comment
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a: "Bruchlandung"
b: Captured French planeComment
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a: English aircrew captured
b: Captured french airplane with German Markings
As always i appreciate every comment.
Thank you Tom for identifying the planes.Comment
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Hello Konrad,
There are some really great photos in this album of yours.
The "broken landing" photo shown at the top of post #13 is an Albatros D.III. Even though the rudder is canted to where you cannot see its shape, the flat-sided shape of the fuselage is a giveaway. Compare that shape to the more rounded fuselage shape of the D.V in your very first photo. Also the aileron control setup of this plane confirms that it is a D.III.
The plane at the bottom of post #13 is a British-built, Airco DH.2.
At the bottom of post #14, you have a French-built, Morane-Saulnier Type LA parasol monoplane. The Type LA was a refinement of the Type L and the predecessor to the Type P. The Type LA featured a streamlined fuselage shape and ailerons whereas the Type L had a square-shaped fuselage and relied on wing warping as there were no ailerons. The Type P was basically a Type LA except that it had a bigger engine. Believe it or not, these obsolete parasol monoplanes were used in combat til almost the end of 1917.
Best regards,
TomMihi libertas necessest!Comment
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