Another Albatros question

fltmech · 22 May 2002, 02:11 PM

I found this photo of a D-II ??? It has the side mounted radiators of the D-II and the center struts of the D-III. Late model D-II ? Early D-III?

GrzeM · 22 May 2002, 02:15 PM

Hi!

What is visible difference in D.II and D.III center struts?

IMHO it's just D.II, and early one (as it has side radiators, instead of in-wing)
G.

fltmech · 22 May 2002, 02:22 PM

Thanks for the reply. Just to long of a day (22 hrs.) And was thinking of something relating to the wrong series !!!!!!!!

Dan_San_Abbott · 23 May 2002, 08:32 AM

fltmech:
The first Alb. D.II to be fitted with the wing airfoil radiator was one of the two Alb. D.II prototypes, Alb.D.II 386/16 had a Teves und Braun radiator, this machine was issued to Hptm.

Oswald Boelcke, Jastaführer of Jasta 2.
The production Alb.D.II commencing with serial number D.472/16 through D.521/16 employed the Windhoff side or ear radiators mounted on the sides of the fuselage, on the center-line.
The Alb.D.II built by OAW had the wing mounted Teves und Braun radiator, serial numbers D.890 - 939/16.
All the LVG built Alb. D.II(LVG) 1024 - 1098/16 had fuselage mounted ear Windhoff radiators.
The last production batch were Albatros built Alb. D.II 1700 - 1798/16 had wing the mounted Teves und Braun airfoil radiator.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

23 May 2002, 08:55 AM

The D.II is flown by Ltn. Hermann Pfeifer, an ace with Jasta 9. He was killed while flying a Nieuport 17 No. 2779 "Rene" on 20 May 1917. It is reported that he was to have flown as part of a display during an upcoming inspection by a visiting General. Following his fatal crash the inspection was cancelled. It was a case of the engine quitting soon after takeoff and in the struggle to maintain control (which he nearly did) he couldn't hold it together to manage a safe landing and crashed fatally.

His young widow joined the countless others.

Aviatik

23 May 2002, 11:06 AM

I always thought it was a mistake not refining,the D-11
instead of keep making the D-111,after the obvious wing problems,that developed with the first D-111"s

Richard_Schrader · 24 May 2002, 04:24 AM

Baron;
I agree, put a more powerful engine in the D-II, and let it rock on!
Richard

PS of course a fly by wire system wouldn't hurt either!

25 May 2002, 12:52 AM

Quote:

What is visible difference in D.II and D.III center struts?

The gap between the top wing and the fuselage was noticeably greater for the DIII than the DII. Whether the DII cabane struts were actually shorter, or were instead just splayed outward more, is not altogether clear from photos.

GrzeM · 25 May 2002, 02:05 AM

Quote:

*I agree, put a more powerful engine in the D-II, and let it rock on!
* * * * * * * * * * * *Richard

But what really can be done with Albie, was showed by Austrians. D.III wing cellule, but strenghtened, and much stronger engine. Oeffag D.III Ba.253 was really very good plane!
G.

Richard_Schrader · 25 May 2002, 05:48 AM

G;
That's very true, the Oeffag Albatros were better than the parent companys planes. I have always wondered why the Albatros Company did not use the same construction as Oeffag for their wings?
I still like the D-II's wings better than the D-III's. It just looks better to me!
Richard