Hi all,
I feel out of my neck of the woods when talking MvR's Dr.I, but that won't stop me.
I like to use my imagination when looking at these subjects and I got to thinking about 425/17.
If we go with the premise that MvR's 425/17 was painted red at the factory, with the known facts, we can speculate on a interesting scenario.
The facts;
By January, MvR's score stands at 63, the highest of anyone.
We start with a red, light blue underneath, triplane (425/17, werks no. 2009, Oberursel no. 2478) finished, test flown by Weidner, and accepted at the Fokker factory on
January 8th, 1918.
We know that the upcoming Fighter Trials were held beginning on January 21st. Fokker shipped the V.7S, V.9, V.17, and V.18 on
January 17th to Adlershof, immediately followed by the V.11/I and V.13/I on
January 18th, and lastly the V.7G on
January 28th.
MvR flies the V.11/I on January 23rd and voices his concerns. MvR flies the V.11/II sometime after the 27th and gives rave reviews. By February 3rd, the V.18 is declared the winner. On February 4th, the V.11/I was type tested to destruction. Further development with prototype V.21 found the final form of the production D.VII.
The scenario;
For German propaganda and Fokker's self interests, he comes up with the proposal of a specially prepared aircraft for Germany's top supreme ace. He runs the idea past the powers that be and recieves approval. Fokker knows there will be an upcoming Fighter Trials and what better venue to present the specially prepared aircraft to the supreme ace,
Manfred Von Richthofen. Fokker has this special "all" red triplane prepared and painted for MvR completed and accepted on
January 8th. Over the next 9 to 20 days, Fokker is shipping his prototypes to the Fighter Trials. Fokker has the red triplane loaded up and included with his shipment of test planes. All aircraft are unloaded and assembled at Adlershof. The Fighter Trials begin on January 21st. MvR flies the V.11/II sometime after the 27th and gives rave reviews. The aircraft still utilizes a full flying comma rudder. By February 3rd, with MvR's full endorsement, the V.18 is declared the winner. It has a full flying comma rudder, but also utilizes a vertical fin on the tail feathers. Immediately following the official declaration of the V.18 as the winner of the Fighter Trials, Fokker unveils the all red Triplane to everyone's loud approval. MvR gives a parade flight of the new aircraft to huge applause and cheering. Unfortunately, photographs are banned at the event, so the celebration of Fokker being declared the winner as well as MvR flying his all red mount are missed for prosperity. On February 4th, the V.11/I was type tested to destruction. Further development with prototype V.21 found the final form of the production D.VII with the familiar rudder and vertical fin configuration as well as a wing faired over the landing gear axle. MvR ferries his new Dr.I to Lechelle to have the undersides of the wings painted all red. At the same time the cross format is updated. The aircraft is to catch up with MvR later on.
How do you like that one guys?
How would you further adapt this to fit to a logical/plausable reality?
Dan-San...remember this is a scenario, not what happened. I've blended facts with fiction, or at best, plausible fiction. The timeline is plausible, the facts I've stated are known, it's a nice story.
I've always wondered why there aren't more photos of the "winner" aircraft of the Fighter Trials. You would think there would be a shot of Fokker next to the winning aircraft. Nor are there more photos of MvR's 425/17. It seems like often where his red Albatros went, photos were taken. I guess it was winter time and little flying was done with his Dr.I.
Am I correct in saying MvR had a stable of Dr.I's he was flying, so he wasn't identified as strongly with one aircraft as he was with his Albatros?
Best,
Dave W.