[RAGIII]

DSA and Langdon,

Having just re-read the Imrie comments in his Triplane book, I would have to say that both of you have left out pertinent statements. Two sections should be looked at.
1. MvRs triplanes from which most of the previous quotes come.
2. Museum Pieces, in which section Imrie continues to make cmments reference 152/17.

What I have gleaned from re-reading these sections is that Imrie believes that 152/17 was up until, and afer the 18th of March MvRs regular mount(Not a backup). He states roughly that it is not known when 152/17 was shipped to the museum but that He believes it was repainted All red with intent for further use as MvRs Regular Mount. He points out that the crosses were repainted to the latest style before shipping out.

As for 127/17,477/17, and for that matter 425/17 he lists them as backups due to the paint schemes as suggested by the War Correspondent.( Apparently 425/17 up until April 20th) He also says he doesn't believe any aircraft were specifically painted for MvR at the Factory.He also indicates that no reports mention 477/17 being overall red.

He makes it very clear that only those aircraft in which MvR scored victories are recorded in the Combat reports, and that MvR probably flew others.

He does state that 425/17 was painted Red on April 20th, but in his caption (photo 94) states that the all Red machine at Lechelle is 425/17 in late March? This seems to be a contradiction unless his stetement reference the April 20th date was meant to indicate that at this time 425/17 was Red and not that it was painted all Red on this date?

IMHO this debate can not be settled unless outside sources are able to confirm the serial number on the negative Ed Ferko claimed to read proving the "V" aircraft was 425/17, or again other researchers can cinfirm Alex imrie and Tazs reading of the werke number on the disputed 477/17.

What we do know is that one of MvRs all Red Triplanes is pictured, and re-appears in later photos with changed markings(crosses). We also know that 425/17 fabric samples show NO Evidence of streaking beneath the Red(Despite what Alex Imrie says reference no special paint jobs). Finally we know that 425/17 underwent ALL cross changes virtually proving it had been painted Red for MvR well before April 20th.

My belief based on the evidence at hand leans towards the all Red machine being 425/17, but that is opinion and without further evidence can not be proved.

RAGIII