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Originally Posted by Langdon
Dan-San,
425/17 arrived from the factory with standard, large white cross fields. I do not know if the aircraft was entirely standard as far as camouflage goes - I know Allan Toelle has inspected many samples and has noted a complete absence of upper surface camo, and I believe his findings are that the aircraft arrived from the factory painted mainly in red.
You are wrong when you say that the crosses were changed prior to the aircraft being painted red. The first change in National markings was to overpaint the large cross fields so that the Eisernes Kreuz was surrounded by a narrow border - the crosses remained the same - this would not have been carried out after the 17th of March 1918. Surely you are not suggesting that MvR would instruct his men to paint his aircraft in superseded National markings at some stage in April or even late March and then have them repaint it again shortly after.
This is not a question as to whether the LeChelle photos are of 425/17 or 477/17 it is simply a matter of logical deduction on the history of 425/17.
Langdon
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Langdon,
It is nice to see that someone with more credentials than myself is presenting this question. I have asked this in at least one other thread before. If the large white fields were painted out leaving narrow white borders before MvR took ownership then Olive Brown would have been used as on other Triplanes in Jasta 11/JG1. 425/17 had large white fields painted out with Red, then changed twice per Idflieg orders, with red. This is evident in the crosses still held in various museums. It stands to reason that 425/17 was assigned to MvR earlier as you say. I agree that it isn't a question of which aircraft is pictured. JMHO, even though I know I am not in the same league with Alex, Dan, GvW or yourself.
RAGIII