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Dave_Watts · 23 June 2006, 10:39 PM

Hi all,

A couple of points.

I have to say I'm bothered by the small window of operation with 152/17 as well.

Also with the statements that is was taken from the frontline service, pulled for posterity.

As I've been immersed in the Fokker archive images, I recall discussing with Peter Grosz images I had of Fokker D.III 352/16. Photos of this D.III were out of context with the other images of the V.2 experimental aircraft in series with it. I told him the plane had been updated with LMG 08/15 guns, when in every other photo I've seen the aircraft is sporting LMG 08's. He said he hadn't noticed that, but he was certain the photos were of the restoration of Boelcke's plane for posterity. There were other changes made in the freshening up at Schwerin.

Here are the images courtesy FHT.

As I mentioned, I see no reason for pulling an MvR aircraft on March 18th or 20th, unless it was retired making room for 425/17 and that makes a little sense! The date of March 18th or 20th has MvR at his 66th victory, not his 75th or 100th, so there is no significance of importance associated with this aircraft or the date or the score. Why change the practice of waiting for the "Golden Eagle" to be grounded before pulling one of his aircraft for posterity. I think this would be negative thinking and just not done. I'm sure 99.9% of the Germans thought the Ol' Baron was going to get a 100 victories as sure as the sun comes up in the morning. My guess is the plane was selected for posterity after he was shot down. Am I way off base? Does Imrie have concrete evidence contradicting my rambling? IF 152/17 was on display in the Zeughaus before April 21st, then obviously I'm all wet. Why didn't 152/17 go back to Fokker for freshing up?

Lastly, Langdon, your point of the motor and prop being covered not because of the rain is intriguing. You're right, why not simply pull it back into the hanger! I'm going out on a limb, but your alluding that the motor cover and prop cover are reminiscent of aircraft being delivered on rail cars has me thinking, what if that's indeed what happened, but the cross changes puts the aircraft out in the field much sooner so that doesn't fly. My second idea would be the plane had been inactive, "stored in reserve", not readied for flight waiting for MvR to let go of his highest hour aircraft; 152/17.

Just throwing out ideas that may trigger others thoughts.

Best,
Dave W.

23 June 2006, 10:39 PM	#152 (permalink)
Dave_Watts Forum Ace Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Indy, Home of the 500 race Posts: 623	Hi all, A couple of points. I have to say I'm bothered by the small window of operation with 152/17 as well. Also with the statements that is was taken from the frontline service, pulled for posterity. As I've been immersed in the Fokker archive images, I recall discussing with Peter Grosz images I had of Fokker D.III 352/16. Photos of this D.III were out of context with the other images of the V.2 experimental aircraft in series with it. I told him the plane had been updated with LMG 08/15 guns, when in every other photo I've seen the aircraft is sporting LMG 08's. He said he hadn't noticed that, but he was certain the photos were of the restoration of Boelcke's plane for posterity. There were other changes made in the freshening up at Schwerin. Here are the images courtesy FHT. As I mentioned, I see no reason for pulling an MvR aircraft on March 18th or 20th, unless it was retired making room for 425/17 and that makes a little sense! The date of March 18th or 20th has MvR at his 66th victory, not his 75th or 100th, so there is no significance of importance associated with this aircraft or the date or the score. Why change the practice of waiting for the "Golden Eagle" to be grounded before pulling one of his aircraft for posterity. I think this would be negative thinking and just not done. I'm sure 99.9% of the Germans thought the Ol' Baron was going to get a 100 victories as sure as the sun comes up in the morning. My guess is the plane was selected for posterity after he was shot down. Am I way off base? Does Imrie have concrete evidence contradicting my rambling? IF 152/17 was on display in the Zeughaus before April 21st, then obviously I'm all wet. Why didn't 152/17 go back to Fokker for freshing up? Lastly, Langdon, your point of the motor and prop being covered not because of the rain is intriguing. You're right, why not simply pull it back into the hanger! I'm going out on a limb, but your alluding that the motor cover and prop cover are reminiscent of aircraft being delivered on rail cars has me thinking, what if that's indeed what happened, but the cross changes puts the aircraft out in the field much sooner so that doesn't fly. My second idea would be the plane had been inactive, "stored in reserve", not readied for flight waiting for MvR to let go of his highest hour aircraft; 152/17. Just throwing out ideas that may trigger others thoughts. Best, Dave W.