Albatros D V Stropp

Terry_Crisp · 30 July 2000, 07:14 AM

Eduard has released a nifty DVa in the color scheme of the one hanging in the Smithsonian. I have been unsuccessful in finding any information as to the identity of the pilot. Does anyone have any clues?

Cliff · 30 July 2000, 08:51 AM

The NASM book 'Albatros D.Va' details the info that is known, but doesn't verify a specific pilot.
Stropp was probably lost in March or April 1918, but no records of it's capture survive.
The word Stropp has a couple of possible meanings which may track down the pilot.
1) It is a very rare family name, originally from Finland / Turkey.
2) It is a nautical term meaning strop or sling.
3) It is a slang for a mischievous boy in the Cologne area.
Beyond this they don't know much else about the plane's origins.

Cliff

Terry_Crisp · 30 July 2000, 09:14 AM

Thanks,Cliff, Thats a start. I appreciate it.
Regards,
Terry

30 July 2000, 11:20 AM

in the 1983 copy of 'wings' magazine, there is a photo with text that reads in part; "STROOP on fuselage means "sling" in german, but also is a slang term for "hellraiser".
hope this helps.

leon

31 July 2000, 01:08 AM

Hi I'm making a database about claims and losses above Flanders Fields en I recently discovered that plane while reading

The jasta pilots or

Above the Lines; but I can't exactly remember the name of the pilot I knew he flew above that region so I'll take a look at my papers and send you the required information about that pilot

Wout

31 July 2000, 01:13 AM

The jastapilot is surely not called Stropp it was only the name of his plane

Wout

31 July 2000, 08:32 AM

Hi Cliff,

The pilot of that plane was Uffz Erich Gürgenz he was born on 10 september of 1885 in Berlin. He served for JASTA 46 from 10/02/18 till 04/04/18 He achieved 1 victory on 12 march 1918 a SE5a at 10.50 am in the neigbourhood of Merckem not far from Houthulstwood. He was killed in action on 04/04/18 over Liéramont airfield.

' .. some sources say that he was the pilot of "Stropp" the Albatros DVa 7161/17 in the Smithsonian . ' (this book also refers to WW1 aero No 110, pg 11-19)

That's all I can find, I hope this will help you

Regards

Source :

The Jasta Pilots p 150

Terry_Crisp · 31 July 2000, 02:32 PM

Wout,
you are the man! Thank you so much. It was really kind of you to put so much into such an esoteric interest but you have slayed a demon for me.
Thanks again and I hope I can return the favor someday.
Regards,
Terry

1 August 2000, 01:10 AM

You're welcome

It was a pleasure for me to help

regards

Wout

2 August 2000, 06:07 PM

Hold on!
The info on the pilot of Stropp is not necessarily true. The info you have is from an article in WW I Aero, No. 110. In an article in the Cross & Cockade International, Vol. 26, No. 3, Pg 113- 125, Allan Toelle reveals some inconsistencies in the hand written copy of the so-called original report on the downed DVa and says it is a hoax along with a number of fabric patches that were sold to collectors. The actual report on the examination of Stropp by an inerlligence officer has never been found.
Frank