Pfalz D.III Factory Construction Photos

Jim52 · 15 May 2006, 06:06 PM

Quite a few of these pictures, along with others, can be found in
Datafile #41, pgs 21-26.

Jim

Dave_Watts · 15 May 2006, 10:39 PM

Hi all,

Glad you enjoyed the images.

Huckebein,
I got these images from the Deutsches Museum München in März of 1984. I can give you the photo reference numbers if you would like to order them.

Jumpinjan,
I would think there would be a crew of werkers constructing frames as well as skins at the same time. I thought it was logical to present the frame being setup then the skin, then the skin being applied, but I don't think there can be a "wrong" order to present the images, yours or mine.

Machinbird,
Thanks!

Lyle,
Thanks for pointing out the images were of the Pfalz D.XII. I went back and corrected the thread heading so as not to screw up the website archives. I'm not an expert on Pfalz aircraft. As I stated the museum labelled the images as all being from 1917 and a few as specifically being the Pfalz D.VIII.

Pfalz-Scout,
I just saw your edited addition of the Pfalz 2-seater...it looks possible to me!

Dan_San_Abbott,
Good call Dan, I figured you would get it.

Here is what is typed on the back of my print.

"R 1679/2"

"Aufbau der Rumpfspanten für einen Jagdeinsitzer in den Pfalz-Werken in Speyer/Rhein."

"aus: Flugarchiv R.März '84"

Nothing about Albatros, but that shouldn't surprise you. I've so many times found misidentified photos, it's not funny. Usually, I see Peter Grosz's scrawl as he's not afraid to put his two-bits on the back of an image whether it be in a museum or not.

Here is a photo of the Albatros J.II via Imrie, via Gray & Thetford.

Here is a photo of an Albatros G.III and it almost appears to fit the photo better in my opinion. What do you think? Do you have an image of the J.I?

Jim52,
I didn't look it up, but you're right I'm sure. These were images I had and not from the Datafile, so I thought I'd share them for those who may not have seen them.

I have the movie of the Pfalz D.XII construction that was circulated some years back I believe originating with Peter Grosz. Some of these photos may have originated from that movie, I'd have to take a look. I always liked the scene in the movie where the airplane "assembles itself" in a stop animation.

Great film!

Best,
Dave W.

Dan_San_Abbott · 16 May 2006, 10:10 AM

DaveWatts:
Both the Alb.J.II and the Allb.G.III? have square noses. The fuselage frame has a rounded nose. The other clue is the plywood covered fuselage in the background, also a Alb.J.I has a notch in the side of the pilot's cockpit, that is for a door for entrance to the pilot's cockpit. Armor plate 5mm thick is bolted to the sides and bottom of the fuselage for crew protection against small arms fire. On the J.I the engine was not protected. That was rectified on the Alb.J.II (see picture.).
Blue skies,
Dan

Pfalz-Scout · 16 May 2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_Watts

Do you have an image of the J.I?

Best,
Dave W.

Dave,

unfortunately I haven't an image of the JI, but I can provide you a 3 view of the J1. The J I design was very similar to the C XII. Different was: The wings had an arrow shape of 2 degrees and the fuselage were armored by 5mm steel plates.

Regards
Pfalz-Scout

aerobuilder · 16 May 2006, 02:53 PM

All,

Take a look at photo #7. Specifically look at the gentleman with the hammer in his hand and the pencil over his right ear. Is that the same person working on the "boxy" fuselage in the later picture posted by Dave W.? I'm no expert on the wings but, if he is working on Pfalz wings in one picture and an Albatros fuselage on another.....

Just a thought