Hans Kirschstein Fokker D.VII

markojeras · 30 April 2006, 02:45 PM

In Osprey Aviation Elite Units 16 on Jagdgeschwader Nr.1, page 99, there is the only photo I found of

Hans Kirschstein Fokker D.VII.

Do you know of any other photo(s) of this plane?

What do you think which factory made this plane?

Thank you for reading my post

Marko

markojeras · 1 May 2006, 03:02 PM

Anybody, please?

Gregvan · 1 May 2006, 09:20 PM

Hello Markojeras,

It's a Fokker-built D.VII, as I implied in the captions in the book. Here is another beautiful shot of Kirschstein's D.VII, which turned up after the book was finished!

You can trust the color profile and planform in the book. We worked very hard to make it accurate.

Greg VanWyngarden

RAGIII · 1 May 2006, 09:38 PM

Greg, WOW! Thanks for posting this shot! Too bad it didn't get to you in time for the book! really tempting to model this bird

RAGIII
P.S. The radiator front looks as though the later type exhaust system is present vs the early type depicted in the profile. Or is it my imagination?
P.P.S. The small (spinner) for lack of a better term, looks like the ones present only on BMW powered aircraft. Is this the case?

Gregvan · 1 May 2006, 09:56 PM

Hi RAGIII,

This image turned up on ebay awhile back, and has been discussed on this forum before.

Notice I said "Hans Kirschstein's D.VII", not the SAME D.VII as pictured in the book.

Believe it or not, I now think he had two similarly marked D.VIIs. The earlier Mercedes-engined (?) one with the early type exhaust pictured in the book (which is confirmed).

Then the second one pictured in this thread, which probably had a BMW engine. I think that's Kirschstein second from left, with the walking stick.

Amazing that he would have TWO such highly decorated airplanes, but they had a lot of Esprit de Corps in JG I. Plus, Kirschstein was a highly successful Jasta CO, with lots of clout. Either that or it's the same airplane considerably modified and with a new engine, which doesn't seem likely. Plus, I think I see subtle differences in the striping patterns.

Wonders never cease.

Greg

RAGIII · 1 May 2006, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregvan

Hi RAGIII,

This image turned up on ebay awhile back, and has been discussed on this forum before.

Notice I said "Hans Kirschstein's D.VII", not the SAME D.VII as pictured in the book.

Believe it or not, I now think he had two similarly marked D.VIIs. The earlier Mercedes-engined (?) one with the early type exhaust pictured in the book (which is confirmed).

Then the second one pictured in this thread, which probably had a BMW engine. I think that's Kirschstein second from left, with the walking stick.

Amazing that he would have TWO such highly decorated airplanes, but they had a lot of Esprit de Corps in JG I. Plus, Kirschstein was a highly successful Jasta CO, with lots of clout. Either that or it's the same airplane considerably modified and with a new engine, which doesn't seem likely. Plus, I think I see subtle differences in the striping patterns.

Wonders never cease.

Greg

Greg, thanks for the fast response! I must have missed the previous discussion, I will look for the thread! I was looking for the "Wider Stripe" evident in the first photo and didn't seem to see its location. Is this one of the subtle differences? Again thanks,
RAGIII

josef scott · 1 May 2006, 10:19 PM

Greg et al

Some interesting details in this shot. My son pointed out out that Kirschstein appears to be lighting a cigarette! Almost looks like a beer bottle on the wing too! And what is that fellow on the left holding?

markojeras · 2 May 2006, 12:12 AM

Dear Greg,

(the chronology of my reaction on your beautiful new photo)

Thank you very much for help. I will model this 'new' plane, which is definitely not the same as in the book.

And now there is a new problem: it seems that this engine cowling does not 'fit' in Anthology drawings of either Fokker-built examples. It is thou similar to OAW-model but with different radiator and closed round hole to the down-right of the propeller?

What is your opinion on the plane?

Off-topic: is Anthology I still available from publisher? How to contact them?

Taz · 2 May 2006, 10:54 AM

markojeras- I will leave the cowling issue to Greg, but Anthology I is still available. Here is Albatros' website:

www.windsockdatafilespecials.com

Taz
Terry Phillips

markojeras · 2 May 2006, 12:57 PM

Taz, thank you for the link

I hope to get some opinion on which factory made this plane, so I could proceed with my model