[Gregvan]

Hi RAGIII,

This image turned up on ebay awhile back, and has been discussed on this forum before.

Notice I said "Hans Kirschstein's D.VII", not the SAME D.VII as pictured in the book.

Believe it or not, I now think he had two similarly marked D.VIIs. The earlier Mercedes-engined (?) one with the early type exhaust pictured in the book (which is confirmed).

Then the second one pictured in this thread, which probably had a BMW engine. I think that's Kirschstein second from left, with the walking stick.

Amazing that he would have TWO such highly decorated airplanes, but they had a lot of Esprit de Corps in JG I. Plus, Kirschstein was a highly successful Jasta CO, with lots of clout. Either that or it's the same airplane considerably modified and with a new engine, which doesn't seem likely. Plus, I think I see subtle differences in the striping patterns.

Wonders never cease.

Greg