Voss Dr1

Recently I heard that voss his DR1 had a yellow nose, can anyone confirm that.

Thanks a lot.

I still think he had a red nose if it helps any.

The Red Baron

[Barrett]

Early this year there was a thread on this subject. Seems that somebody had read an article that included recollections of one or two of Voss' mechanics who attested that the Tripe had a dark colored nose more or less matching the factory's standard streaked green finish. It's almost impossible to draw a conclusion from photos, since film of the day usually "printed" yellow as dark.

There is a lot of debate over this subject, and some even think the tail surface was also painted yellow. yellow being the distinctive color for Jasta 10, which I believe Voss flew in.

To make matters worse, certain films back then showed yellow as a dark color (black like) so many photos of aircraft in Jasta 10 seem to ahve black markings when they were actually yellow.

Alex Revell in his book, "High in the Mighty Blue" (Flying Machines Press) about 56 Squadron has a color plate showing Voss's plane with the yellow, but in correspondence with him about it, he does not feel that is absolute.

One consideration I have felt about the yellow nose is: The white eyebrows and moustache would most likely show up on a yellow back ground, so I personally tend to think it had a factory finish
cowling of dark green. I do not think it would ever have been red, as that was the disctinctive color for jasta 11. Many early references depict his plane in a metallic blue over all, but that is definitely not right.

The net is I doubt we'll ever really know for sure.

Voss is my favorite ace. I've given this a lot of thought because I've had Voss on the brain.

My conlusion: I can believe the yellow tale plane. His jasta color.

But the white on yellow wouldn't show up at all so I'd have to go with the white on dark green. Or. It could have been yellow on dark green although the kabuki mask would have been darker. It really seems to me that it would logically be white on green.

On pages 162-163 of "High in The Empty Blue" there
are some photos of Jasta 10's Pfalz D-III's which we know are documented to have yellow noses, struts, wheel covers, etc. Now in those said photos, this yellow is very, very dark. On page 163 there is a pic of Voss standing by the nose of the DrI and the cowling is also similar to the Pfalz noses. Conclusive? Absolutely not, but the similarity is interesting. I believe I started the thread on this earlier in the year and I'm still not convinced one way or the other, as for white showing up on yellow, well if you happen to be a modeler, grab the paint and give it a whirl.It looks like it shows up to me, especially on dark yellow or chrome yellow, which is reputed to be the shade that J10 used. Something I've always wondered is this: This crashed DrI (what was left of it) was captured by the Brits and assigned a "G" number. Are there any reports that might still be out there where a description is given?

In the last couple of years there was mention of the Imperial War Museum "finding " an artifact in their inventory; a Fokker Triplane's rudder reputedly given to the museum by Rhys-David's surviving family. The rudder was yellow. I never heard anything moreof this historically significant (if true) find. The obvious question is: Could this be the rudder from 103/17? Anyone heard anything about this?

[PeterL]

The yellow Dr1 rudder pops up in the same work as the yellow cowling suggestion, Alex Imrie's Fokker Dr1. If it is indeed the rudder from F103 then it will have that serial marked at the base in accordance with Fokker practice.
Some years ago Albatros publications produced an excelent monograph on Voss and his aircraft. I recently obtained a copy and it includes a selection of combat reports submitted by members of 56 squadron involved in the final fight. These were experienced men who were instructed, for inteligence purposes, to include details of enemy aircraft markings in their reports. Not one mentions yellow nose or tail, though all describe the markings of the Albatros also briefly involved. Whilst this cannot be regarded as proof that the cowling was not yellow, I think it's a pretty fair indication.

Peter L

[Barrett]

Regardless of the color/colour or condition of the rudder, it'd be terrific to know that it's preserved at IWM. Can any of our UK Forumites check on that? I know that we colonials would be grateful for any info.

I'm new to this forum. I was drawn to this particular thread because in the '80's I did considerable research on the colour scheme of the Voss' triplane FI 103/17. This was done for a projected article that was to appear in the Cross and Cockade Journal. When that periodical "went west" I shelved the material and the conclusions that I reached. Would you forum members be interested if I was to contribute my findings on this subject in a series of postings? There is simply too much for one posting or one thread. Great site and a great forum. Regards, James Thorne.