Two Seaters

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Totoroman:
The DFW C.V. It served in every capacity as a two-seater could, artillery spotting, in the Fl.Abt.(A) bombing in the Kasta and Bosta, tactical and battlefield reconnaissanse in the Fl.Abt. , protection flying in the Schusta and as an attack aircraft in the schlasta and as a squadron courier/hack aircraft in the Jasta. It performed it's duties well in every capacity. Also it served on every front continously from 1916 to the end of the war.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[totoroman]

got the Albatros Publications website book-marked, and I'll definitely getting some books from them in the future.

and, um Peter, they put out a LOT of books. that must have set you back several hundred dollars, right? I don't have a problem with investing that kind of money in an excellent library... but it means I have to plan out big purchases well in advance.

when they advertise the "Ultimate Collection" does that really mean that they have everything compiled into one REALLY big hard-bound edition? If so, then THAT little puppy is the one I'll try to get. (I don't have a lot of space in a single-room apartment, and if I keep going at this rate, I'll need a seperate room for all of my WWI research in a couple years)

[Gregvan]

Dear Totoroman,

Sorry, but the "ultimate collection" means all of the various publications, separately. The way to have done it is to have been subscribing for many years, like several of us have. If ALL of the Albatros Productions publications were bound into one volume, it would be over two feet thick, judging from my bookshelf !

Happy hunting !

Greg

[David_Layton]

If I could speak and read German, the book project I would take on would be a history of the Albatros company from the Taubes through to their final days after Versailles.

Not only would this further expose the firm's contribution to reconnaissance aircraft but would also bring out a bit about German aircraft procurement, politics and the importance of being in Berlin. (This was probably, Pfalzes biggest handicap.)

[Dan_San_Abbott]

David Layton:
I have an unpublished piece on the Albatros Werke and the aircraft it designed and built for 1914 to the end of the war. with color illustrations of all the "B", "C" and "J" Class aircraft that were built by Albatros and ALL it's license manufactueres. One of these days when I don't have anything else to do I'll finish the "D" clss and I'll have the story of the camouflages schemes and variations used on all the Alb. Aircraft excluding the "A and "G" Class which were not very significant to the war. They are listed in my catalog.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[David_Layton]

Dan,
I am really glad to know that this subject has been handled by you! Their series of recon planes were both successful and aestetically pleasing.

I have always heard that the Albatros Werke was a favorite of the Air Service and that this was both good and bad. I would like to hear more. I would also like to learn more about the Albatros management teams' personality. Maybe they were not as colorful as Fokker, but I am sure there are a few good stories there!

Cheers!

Regarding Albatros two-seaters. It is interesting to compare quality and performance of Albatros built examples and those built by license contractors like BFW and some of the complaints. I'd like to see more pilot's remarks about their experiences in that regard. Also, with DFW, were some considered better than others since they were built by several manufacturers like Halberstadt, LVG, etc?

Aviatik

If anyone is interested in the book "German Aircraft of the First World War" by Peter L. Gray, it is available from
used.addall.com for about $35.00 U.S.