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Dave_Watts · 11 June 2006, 03:09 AM

Hi all,

Dan-San....

You state;

"He flew it at Awoingt and scored his 20th victory with Dr.I 477/17 and took it with him to LeChelle Airfield."

Certainly you aren't saying MvR flew 477/17 and scored his 20th victory with it. He scored his 20th victory on February 14th, 1917; a BE2d over Loos. That's a year before 477/17 was accepted!

From my data 477/17 was accepted in either February or March of 1918 (the missing acceptances). When do you place him in this plane? It must be late March to give him enough time to have received the plane from the factory.

I'd like to know the timeline we're talking about here.

Next you shot out the following statement;

"The problem is you can't get MvR in the cockpit of Dr.I 425/17 until 19 April 1918. No fiction here, all facts."

No offence intended, simply an observation, your choice for words is the thing I have a problem with as I have pointed out in the past. I would much prefer you to state;

"At this point in time, we have no evidence of MvR having flown 425/17 before 19 April 1918, but logistically it is feasible."

Your statement has an aire of absolute finality. That is not the case, it is feasible that MvR could have flown 425/17 before April 19th, 1918.

Please address the following;

1. The 20th victory date.

2. The timeline of the acceptance of 477/17 to MvR having first flown it.

Thanks Dan, I hope I'm not appearing to be argumentative or an antagonist as I very much enjoy and appreciate your researched and educated input.

Best,
Dave W.

11 June 2006, 03:09 AM	#51 (permalink)
Dave_Watts Forum Ace Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Indy, Home of the 500 race Posts: 776	Hi all, Dan-San.... You state; "He flew it at Awoingt and scored his 20th victory with Dr.I 477/17 and took it with him to LeChelle Airfield." Certainly you aren't saying MvR flew 477/17 and scored his 20th victory with it. He scored his 20th victory on February 14th, 1917; a BE2d over Loos. That's a year before 477/17 was accepted! From my data 477/17 was accepted in either February or March of 1918 (the missing acceptances). When do you place him in this plane? It must be late March to give him enough time to have received the plane from the factory. I'd like to know the timeline we're talking about here. Next you shot out the following statement; "The problem is you can't get MvR in the cockpit of Dr.I 425/17 until 19 April 1918. No fiction here, all facts." No offence intended, simply an observation, your choice for words is the thing I have a problem with as I have pointed out in the past. I would much prefer you to state; "At this point in time, we have no evidence of MvR having flown 425/17 before 19 April 1918, but logistically it is feasible." Your statement has an aire of absolute finality. That is not the case, it is *feasible* that MvR could have flown 425/17 before April 19th, 1918. Please address the following; 1. The 20th victory date. 2. The timeline of the acceptance of 477/17 to MvR having first flown it. Thanks Dan, I hope I'm not appearing to be argumentative or an antagonist as I very much enjoy and appreciate your researched and educated input. Best, Dave W.