Hans Schultz D.VII number

alex_revell · 20 January 2005, 02:25 AM

Schultz was shot down and captured on 6 June 1918. His D.VII was given the designation G/2Bdg/14. The number of the D.VII is given by Puglisi as having been 368/18, by Franks, Bailey and DUiven as 2455/18. Can anyone confirm the correct number please.

Gregvan · 20 January 2005, 04:53 AM

Hi Alex,

The correct serial number for this D.VII is 368/18. Franks, et. al. were unfortunately using some outdated and misinterpreted information. The Werk. Nr. (factory or works number) was 2455, which was recorded in the original reports on this aircraft and which was often interpreted as the military serial number-which it wasn't.

If you have Cross & Cockade (US) Volume 18 No. 3, Autumn 1977, Doug Pardee explained all this in his article on "Notes On Some Misreported and Historic Fokker D.VII's."

Incidentally, this machine had a Mercedes engine Nr. 40957. The wing number was 1450, which has also occasionally been mistaken for the military serial number.

Greg

alex_revell · 21 January 2005, 03:48 AM

Thanks Greg.
It appeared that Ed P got it right in his Vol 10 No.3 article. What about Wusthoff's D.VII, which he gives as 2469/18 Is this correct? I'll get the C&C issue you mentioned, but it means going up into the loft!!
Alex

Gregvan · 21 January 2005, 04:38 AM

Hi Alex,

No, I'm afraid this was another case of the Works Number being mistaken for the military serial number. Wüsthoff was shot down in Fokker D.VII 382/18 on 17 June 1918. The works number was 2469 and it had Mercedes 41245.

Of course, you know that Wüsthoff was borrowing this machine, and that it actually bore the markings of

Georg von Hantelmann. Wüsthoff had only just arrived at Jasta 15, and acording to Moeller's book, this was only his second patrol at the unit (if I recall correctly).

Greg

Dave_Watts · 27 January 2005, 10:40 PM

Hi Alex and all,

A related point of interest on 368/18 and 382/18.

While speaking "Fokker D.7" with Alex Imrie, he pointed out on the familiar photo of the bare bones 368/18 while on display at Islington's Agricultural Hall that the werk number on the wing "N" strut is "2469"...from 382/18, not "2455" from 368/18, as you would think it would be. I confirmed this via a loop and a good print he had. He pointed out that 368/18 had a damaged wing and they must have used at least the "N" strut and a wing from 382/18 on the bare bones 368/18. There is also a photo of the top wing from 368/18 while under examination in London and the technicians have removed the front plywood nose covering, so they either reinstalled it or we may be seeing the top wing from 382/18 as well.

Leave it to Imrie to spot this!

Best,
Dave W.

alex_revell · 28 January 2005, 06:53 AM

Dave,
Yes, the man's a marvel. The font of all knowledge of all things GAAS. I will ring him this weekend to see how he is. I expect you know that he hasn't been very well lately. I just hope he's better, not only because he has been such a good and close friend over the years but because I want to see that D VII book out!!