Aviatic C227/16 De Panne 20-21 th May 1916 Kagohl

[Rick]

Yves,

Best of luck with the Red Cross. I had heard from some source (that I'm ashamed to admit that I've forgotten), that a complete list of POWs (from all nations) was available, and even got a couple of samples to whet my curiosuty. BUT - the Red Cross was asking an outrageous price (at least for me), to stop me dead in my tracks from requesting any more information. So - best of luck. Hope you can succeed (and that you are RICH)!! Keep us posted. R.

[Regulus]

Not much to add, except that none of the two men mentioned are burried on a German or Allied military cemetery in West Flanders.
This still gives a possibility for burrial to the north of France however, as De Panne is very close to the French border.

Best from Johan

[charles]

Originally posted by Yves@Oct 13 2003, 03:03 PM
[b]Do not forget the Belgian also captured at least one Albatros wearing a dark color (I do not know exactly which color but it is very dark on the pictures).

I am very interested to know more about this dark Albatros. Was it a single seater? An Albatros D.V.?
Are there any photos you could share?

[Cigogne]

Aviatik C.I aircraft were distinctly marked on their wheelcovers at the factory with the Eiserne Kreuz marking, indeed, it was a unique marking identifier of the company. Perhaps they were AGAIN added during the restoration, but know this, that they were a company hallmark. Numerous photos show this. Can't say exactly how long this practice continued, but from late 1914 at least. (A photo exists of a scale model of the new Aviatik C.I at FFA 8 hanging over their Christmas banquet table Christmas 1914 and displays this marking on the wheel covers) and it continued throughout 1915 into 1916 at least. An advert for the Aviatik company circa 1916-17 (showing a C.III) shows this aircraft also with such markings on the wheelcovers as does an advert for the Benz automobile company (NOT Mercedes! as they did not merge with rival Mercedes until 1926) w/ an ink drawing of an Aviatik C.I in the background.)

Other aircraft types were marked in the field this way after arriving at unit level by individual pilots, but Aviatik DID THIS AT THE FACTORY early on with the C.I and for a time with the C.II during 1915-1916. As said above, photos show this often as does period advertising.

The Aviatik C.I had a long service life and, when it faded from frontline service in 1916, continued to serve in the training role, albeit remarked and repainted in many cases. Also, license production may have occurred with other companies building or repairing the type, but not marking them in the same way.

I would like to know what other companies may have built the Aviatik C.I under licence?

[Cigogne]

...sorry for the previous long rambling post. If it has a point... it is basically this:

That the restoration of the type of aircraft, if it is to be tackled, would not be incorrect to have the wheels with this type of marking on them as it was a factory standard.