Fokker D.VII 5125/18: Goering's white one.

TeamStewart · 31 May 2008, 08:43 AM

Hi,

Eduard are bringing out a Weekend edtion of the D.VII later this year, with one marking option; Goering's white 5125/18.

Although they don't like the pilot, it seems to be the easiest marking option for a weekend edition kit,k is what they say.

I had always heard that the particular aircraft came from the factory especially for him in all white and that there was a cut out on the left side of the cockpit to allow him easier access, on account of his arthritis.

The photo on Wikipedia clearly show no cut out and all the profiles I've seen show a similar, standard cockpit.

Has anyone heard this "rumour" and know anything as to the truth in it?

TIA

rsanz · 31 May 2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamStewart

Hi,

Eduard are bringing out a Weekend edtion of the D.VII later this year, with one marking option; Goering's white 5125/18.

Although they don't like the pilot, it seems to be the easiest marking option for a weekend edition kit,k is what they say.

I had always heard that the particular aircraft came from the factory especially for him in all white and that there was a cut out on the left side of the cockpit to allow him easier access, on account of his arthritis.

The photo on Wikipedia clearly show no cut out and all the profiles I've seen show a similar, standard cockpit.

Has anyone heard this "rumour" and know anything as to the truth in it?

TIA

Have another closer look at that photo and you'll see the cockpit padding on the left side of the fuselage suddenly stop where it would (normally) be continued on by the front cowling. It was this bit that was cut away.

Hope this helps...

Gregvan · 31 May 2008, 08:55 PM

Hi,

As rsanz says, it was definitely there. Here is a close-up of a print in my collection which shows both the cut-out and the small angular handle that was affixed to the side of the fuselage just in front of the cockpit. Goering had these same modifications on at least one other D.VII:

Gregvan · 31 May 2008, 08:58 PM

Here is a close-up of the right side of the cockpit, showing the rack for flare cartridges and the small flare pistol tube emerging from the fuselage:

Gregvan · 31 May 2008, 09:03 PM

On his earlier, red and white Fokker D.VII, Goering had the same modifications. You can clearly see the cut down side of the cockpit here, but sadly Goering's head hides the small handle affixed to the fuselage.

Gregvan · 31 May 2008, 09:05 PM

This is a very poor halftone print from an old German book. However, it is the best I know of showing these mods on Goering's red and white JG I Fokker D.VII. You can see the small handle and the cut-out. Note the tubular gunsight.

Gregvan · 31 May 2008, 09:08 PM

Here is one last look at Goering's red and white fuselaged Fokker D.VII in JG I.

TeamStewart · 31 May 2008, 09:19 PM

That helps a lot. This definitely tempts me to build the subject now, even though the pilot was so odious.

He must've been close to the Fokker people, and I don't know why that would be, because after the Nazis invaded Holland in the 40s, Fokker made him a couple of special gifts, D.VII replicas. They had to re-design the fuselage, because he'd put on so much weight since WWI.

Sreiko · 31 May 2008, 10:02 PM

Greg- excellent photos!!! Thank you!

Dan_San_Abbott · 1 June 2008, 05:52 PM

Greg:
What the mechanics did, was to either modify the cartridge case delectors on each side and extend the height or remove and replace them with the larger deflectors. There was enough drag on those large panels to knock off a about 5 miles per hour off of the maximum airspeed.
The Fok.D.VII did not have cartridge case chutes like the Alb.D.III/D.V/D.Va, or the Pfalz D.Types.
Blue skies,
Dan-San