Hans Kirschstein Fokker D.VII

Rod_Filan · 2 May 2006, 01:12 PM

http://www.earlyaviator.com/archive/...r1.stripey.jpg

VBR
Rod

markojeras · 2 May 2006, 02:46 PM

Nice model

Do you all agree that the wheels axle wing has metal connecting strips on leading edge? Is that factory-specific?

josef scott · 2 May 2006, 05:04 PM

markojeras

I'm not certain, but the marks on the front of the axle could well be fresh oil drips.

Also, the radiator appears to be a NIW model, with a solid strip dividing the grill in half (Fokker Anthology 1, pg 14, pic #8). I think this picture (Kirschstein) would have been taken too early for it to be a late model with the factory cut-away cowling exposing the saxaphone exhaust. I'm not sure which companies would have used the NIW radiator, but the Anthology photo shows this rad used in conjunction with a BMW engine as well.

My inclination is to think it was Fokker-built, as I don't see evidence of either the "knobs" or "straps" on either side of the rad-panel indicating OAW or Albatros origin.

baldeagle · 2 May 2006, 05:28 PM

The guy on the left is holding Kirschstein's teddy bear. Well, maybe not.

It also looks like there are streamers on the elevators.

StephenLawson · 2 May 2006, 05:49 PM

Here is the earlier one Geg spoke of.

Rod_Filan · 2 May 2006, 08:18 PM

In all fairness, the above image was "cleaned-up" for presentation purposes- and in the process became somewhat flat and quite "noisy". Here's the original jpg as it was displayed on ebay.

markojeras · 2 May 2006, 11:59 PM

Yes, but now we are talking about the new photo, not that one. Not to mix those two planes, please refer only to the 'new' plane onward. Thank you.

About those wheel axle wing cover straps - notice that this could not be oil marks, since it is perfectly angular and two of them are visible.

Nice notion of tail streamers

I agree with comment on radiator type and exhaust and the BMW engine, BUT of what type is the engine cowling? That is what 'eat me'

josef scott · 3 May 2006, 09:11 AM

Rod - greetings from an ex-Saskatonian(?)! Thanks for posting the original pic.

markojeras,
Still not too sure about the "straps" - never seen such a thing (not that that means much) on any D.VII. I believe Albatros-built axle-wings were split top-and-bottom, but the fasteners on the leading edge didn't look like this and were in different positions. OAW axle-wings were split front-and-back (fasteners on top and bottom) and the Fokker-builts were something else entirely.

Pretty sure the streamers aren't just a notion. They seem pretty obviously attached to the tail-plane. Can even make out 2 tones - could be just shadows, but I'd wager they're black and white.

Really difficult to say about the cowling. Would just have to take a "best guess" about when the picture was taken and what panels would have been used on the D.VIIs available to him at the time, BMW-wise.

markojeras · 3 May 2006, 09:45 AM

I used wrong word, with notion I meant that you noticed what I did not

And I believe that you have a point with that axle wing fastners, but I would like to hear Dan-San or Greg on that matter

Thank you all for your input!

RAGIII · 3 May 2006, 03:47 PM

To clear things up,(sort of)
1. BMW Engine
2. Before July 16th 1918( The date of Kirschsteins death.)
3. What BMW powered DVIIs with the cowling cut off on the right side were out there at this time? Why the cut out if not the later style exhasts? I am taliking about the obvious step on the radiater front. Just removeing side panels would not give this effect! Thanks,
RAGIII