Just a few thoughts from someone not as highly qualified as some of the others in this thread
1. Ed Ferko states roughly that the numbers under the wings and on the struts are too indistinct to be certain of any positive identification of 477/17//486/17.
2. Ed Ferko goes on to say in a caption of the all Red Bird that this has been positively Identified as 425/17.
3. GvW states as Ferko, that there is no proof of the identity of 477/17. He also believes that 425/17 is the all Red Tripe.
4. Alex Imrie of course has belief that both are positively Identified!
5. Lehmann believes that 477 is 486.
Here are my thoughts. all logical but not "Proven Facts"
1. Although many state that the identity of 477/486 is questionable, they still believe that the all RED triplane is 425/17. So identifying for certain that the bird in question is 486/17 may shift a little to DSA, it would not be conclusive as to eliminating 425/17 as the all Red triplane
2. Now my random thoughts/ questions; The panoramic view of Lechelle shows that almost all of jasta 6 has at least begun the changeover in cross styles yet only one Jasta 11 bird shows any sign of being converted? If you were going to begin the process wouldn't the JG1 commanders aircraft be the logical choice? Richthofen continued his association with the "Core" staffel(Jasta 11.) wouldn't as I stated 477/17 be the logical choice for the first aircraft to be converted? The photographer gave 2 DR1s CLOSE UP and personal shots! 425/17( disputed) and 477/17(disputed). Why those two and no others? My best guess is the Barons aircraft would draw the attention of the photographer. The shot of the disputed 477/17 is too distant in any copy I have seen( even those posted in this thread) to positively say it has a streaked wing. Let us remember that many of MvRs aircraft painted in the field indeed showed camo through thinly painted RED! To me much of the upper wing looks solid color, again in the distance! Finally, We know that MvR had at least 2 aircraft in this photo (Undisputed) 127/17 and 425/17 or 477/17. He had enough pull to warrant 2 more! I hope I made sense here, again JMHO,
RAGIII