Zeppelin Staaken Bomber and Rfa 501

artifactcollector · 8 June 2006, 01:24 PM

I just purchased a group of private photos that belonged to a member of Riesenflugzeugabteilung 501. The photos were taken in the east starting in June 1916 and go through 1918 in what seems to be Belgium. In the later photos appear shots of the Zeppelin Straaken bomber and another very large experimental bomber, the writting on the back indicates this plane was unsafe and only taken up once.

Anyway, I am trying to find out as much information about Rfa 501 and have found very few links on the net. Perhaps someone can direct me to any good books or does anyone have other information that could be helpful in putting together the story behind these pictures? I am fairly new to collecting aviation photos and the purchase of these pivctures has increased my interest so please excuss my lack of knowlege at this point. I normally collect trench related photos and relics, but when I saw these pics I could not pass them up and niether me or the seller knew what we were looking at. I only recently identified the aircraft as a Straaken bomber and then the sleeve insignia 501 made sense. Unfortunately I left some fantastic portraits laying on the gus table with other 501 sleeve patches. I found him again last weekend and all were gone except a few familly related photos. Oh well.....

Anyone have any information I would be greatfull.

Colin A Owers · 8 June 2006, 03:26 PM

The "German Giants" by Haddow and Grosz is the book on the subject. Putnam published a number of editions. Try secondhand bookshops on the net.

Colin A Owers

mossie · 8 June 2006, 03:44 PM

If you cannot get a copy of the book, I have it in my library and could provide some info. PM me.

StephenLawson · 8 June 2006, 05:16 PM

They aforespoken gents are steering you in the right direction. Also there are a number of fellows here that have a keen understanding of operations in Belgium. Member "Hans" may be able to guild you further.

Regulus · 9 June 2006, 10:26 AM

Hi,

I'm currently working on a book on the German bomber units. Contact me by PM as I don't want to publish some of my material here, that would be giving away my book.

Best from Johan

artifactcollector · 11 June 2006, 12:47 PM

To all: Thanks for the references, I am looking for these books now and have been able to find most on the net. Here is a group shot of some of the pictures I recently purchased, also one of the unit chain of command with a visiting Turkish pilot and one of the sleeve insigina on the guy who these pictures used to belong. I have personal photos of him and his family from 1912 until probably the 1950's 0r 60's when he was an old man.

Thanks again,

Brad

Regulus · 11 June 2006, 01:26 PM

Thanks for these very interesting photo's, I think this link may be of interest to you :

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/flieger/f01.htm

Regulus · 16 June 2006, 11:37 AM

Today we paid a visit to the remains of the Scheldewindeke and Sint Denijs Westrem former locations of the airfields were the photo's were taken and had a great time.
Very interesting pics indeed !

David_Layton · 16 June 2006, 04:30 PM

I bet Peter Grosz, one of the authors of the German Giants would be interested in seeing these and he could give you details. He lives in New Jersey, USA.

Regulus · 17 June 2006, 03:29 PM

That might be a great help for identifying the crewmembers. We have identified a number of planes and locations already, but the men themselves remain an open question...