Bloody April

JonathanS · 27 December 2003, 12:18 PM

Hey all,

I'm not sure if I should post this here or under People but here' goes:

I'm toying around with a new idea for a painting. I've always found the DH2 an interesting aircraft. Therefore I decided to include it in my next work. However, I find Eindecker's somewhat boring to paint. As a result I started flipping through my copy of

Bloody April... Black September. On Tuesday April 3, 1917 5 DH2's were intercepted by some Albatroses (sp?). In the enusing battle Edmund Nathaneal of Jasta 5 shot down E L Heyworth of 32Sqdn.

This is exactly the type of match up I would like to depict (as I have a soft spot for the D series albatroses)

What I'm looking for is what aircraft Jasta 5 had at the time (I presume the were DIII's) and what aircraft Nathaneal was most likely flying - ie what did it look like.

Secondly, what were the markings of 32 Sqdn?

thanks in advance,

JonathanS

Dan_San_Abbott · 27 December 2003, 01:27 PM

JonathanS:
OffzStv.

Edmund Nathanael was flying a Alb.D.III 6xx/17, aircraft number 3. offset radiator, sq. step. upper wing was from the left on the leading edge, dark green to the 10th rib \ light green to the tip.
Lower wing from the left on the L.E. to the 9th rib light green, \ to the fuselage, right panel, dark green.
Stablizer, left side to the 2cd rib on the right side, light green\ dark green.
Rudder , light green.
Wheel covers, white.
Undersides, sky blue.
Fuselage and fins, varnished plywood, straw yellow.
Cowls, strutsand fitting light grey.
Black 3 both sides of the fuselage 800 x 400mm and 1000 x 600mm centered on the 6th rib from the wing root.
Happy New year,
Dan-San

Frank_Olynyk · 27 December 2003, 01:28 PM

He was most likely flying Albatros D.III 2247/16 coded "3". Check Les Rogers' book on British Squadron markings for 32 Sqn. Heyworth was flying DH 2 A2536. Whether this is a correct matchup I cannot say. Nathaniel's claim was at 1635; Henshaw does not give any times for the loss of A2536.

Frank.

I see Dan-San and I have posted at almost the same time. My reference for 2247/16 comes, I believe, from a list of Jasta 5 aircraft around this time with their serials and squadron codes. I would have to dig to find it again.

FJO.

Russell · 2 January 2004, 04:10 AM

Having a copy of 32's ORB, here is what it has.

Patrol was a line patrol which took off at 4.0 pm, led by Capt W G S Curphey in A2622, Lt E L Heyworth in A2536, and 2/Lt C C Tayler A4799, but the last returned and took off again in A4775. Curphey landed at 5.40pm, and Tayler at 6.0 pm. Curphey and Tayler put in Combat Reports, and Heyworth is listed as shot down at about 57c D.20. The map boys can tell you exactly where this is. I dont believe the combats were decisive in the sense of claims being made for dest or OOC claims.

Russell