Fokker D.VII identifikation - Help needed-

Hans · 1 February 2005, 02:11 AM

Forumites,
a modeller friend asked me to help with the identifikation of the following Fokker D VII. All he knews about is that this picture was taken on the Böblingen Airfield.

Here a larger version: Fokker Böblingen

In my personal view this picture was taken in middle of the summer 1918, as the cowling is partially removed and there seems to be an additional cooling louvre for the ammunition.

The crosses are non-standard. I am not sure completely, but maybe they are painted over Eiserne Kreuze, as the Fokker seems to be a early version.

Any opinions? Please note also the markings of the Fokker in the background. Does anybody has an idea concerning the Jasta?

Many thanks in advance.

Hans

Edit: Pilot's name is Heinrich Schmid.
Honestly, I am in doubt about the Böblingen airfield. Tents on a home airfield..?

Albatroid · 1 February 2005, 02:53 AM

Call me crazy, but the device you refer to as a louver looks like a makeshift wind-driven fan intended to drive cool air through either the aft area of the motor bay or over the ammunition boxes. It appears to have a small propeller-similar to the type used on speedometers of the period- mounted at the front of a circular bore. Call me crazy, but that's what I see upon close inspection of the larger version of the image.

Cigogne · 1 February 2005, 05:44 AM

The Fokker D.VII appears to be a Fokker-built machine, w/ the flat early cowling panels. The makeshift air scoop doesn't appear propeller driven to me. That is just a flange on the front. It appears to be somewhat dented. The D.VII in the background... the marking appears to be a personal marking. In Greg VanWyngarden's Windsock Datafile special, there is an Albatros D.III on the cover (profile rendering) and a photo inside that wears a nearly identical personal marking. Is there a connection? Can't be sure. Perhaps Greg can weigh in here.

The fellow standing in front, he isn't wearing a pilot's badge or any other awards. Is he non-flying personnel? Or, maybe his pilot's badge hasn't arrived yet... sometimes they had flown several missions before being awarded the badge... especially late in the war.

It appears the shot was taken in mid-Summer... as these type of crosses were in use then. This machine must've had the earlier style overpainted.

I agree with you about the Flugzeug Zelt (tent hangar)... Böblingen, in my opinion, would have had more permanent wooden structures, or brick and wooden. I am thinking this was taken at the Front.

Rick · 1 February 2005, 05:58 AM

Also note that the aircraft is armed. Probably not a FEA Fokker, as you say, more probable that the photo was taken at the front.

John Masters · 1 February 2005, 11:26 AM

If we can ID the DVII in the background with the unique 'whirlpool' personal insignia, we could get a better idea...

Regulus · 1 February 2005, 11:41 AM

Wasn't there a Heinrich Schmidt with Jasta 62 ? Dark black (?) fuselages, red cowlings ?

Johan

Hans · 1 February 2005, 01:11 PM

Schmid, sorry, not Schmidt

Regulus · 1 February 2005, 01:54 PM

About tents being used or not at Böblingen : see this photo

http://adv2.adv-boeblingen.de/zrbb/b...n/platzgr.html

Johan

StephenLawson · 1 February 2005, 04:53 PM

Something is wrong as I can't see the image of the Fokker D.VII and the link to the larger image says that I'm not allowed to view this.

Dan_San_Abbott · 1 February 2005, 05:09 PM

Gentlemen:
I cannot aquire the photo of the Fok.D.VII. If someone could copy it and send to me or put it on the net, I sure would appreciate the favor.
Blue skies,
Dan-San