Siemens Versuchsflugzeug at JG II April 1918

Regulus · 7 September 2005, 02:41 AM

Hi,

7553/17 of the Siemens planes had a curious carreer. It was originally designated a DIIe and later a DIII, and had a Siemens Halske 3 engine. During it's original flight on the 25th January 1918, there appeared a problem with the upper wing.
Later that winter it was rebuild into a DIV Versuchsflugzeug. In April 1918 it seems to have been active for Versuchseinsatz at Jagdgeschwader II. It returned to Siemens to replace the engine (probably with a SH3a) and in June it was back at JG II for further trials.

Can anyone comment on the pilots who tried the plane ? What they thought of it ? When exactly it arrived, left and came back to the unit ?

Thanks and best from Johan

Dan_San_Abbott · 7 September 2005, 11:39 AM

Regulus:
Ltn.Hermann Becker. He also had a Fok.D.VII at the same time with identical markings, blue fuselage, white nose cowling, broad band aft of the cockpit and tail surfaces.
blue skies,
Dan-San

Regulus · 7 September 2005, 12:39 PM

Dan-San,

Thank you very, very much for this information ! Great add for me on the matter ! This was one of the remaining mysteries after my visit at the Siemens archives.

Again, my appreciation !

Best from Johan

Taz · 8 September 2005, 10:57 AM

Johan- Also note that 7553/17 was a unique aircraft with the tail skid shaped like the SSW D.III and a lower wing with no horn balances as fitted to production D.IVs. Russell Smith's painting Mixed Company in the Gallery shows these unique features. Dan-San has an excellent color 6 view of this aircraft. There is a possibility Becker scored a victory with this aircraft on 14 August on the same day Ltn Greven was shot down in his SSW D.III. Russ' painting shows the beginning of this engagement.

Terry Phillips
Taz

Regulus · 8 September 2005, 12:45 PM

Terry,

You're so right ! Seems I really forgot about Russel Smith's painting on this event !
It was indeed a curious bird as it had parts of the DIIe, the DIII and DIV and was supposed to be a DIV !
Do you have any idea on the serial number of Greven's DIII ?

Thank you very much and best from Johan

Taz · 9 September 2005, 09:51 AM

Johan- Let me see if I can dig it up. There are photos of Greven's lighting bolt arrow marked SSW D.III with and without a white spinner, the latter most likely due to maintenance being performed. Do not remember seeing the serial number, though, since the rudder and vertical stabilizer were overpainted white, and that is where the serial number was painted. Even unpainted, the serial was hard to see. If available, Dan might know. He did the research for Russ' painting.

Terry Phillips
Taz