MvR's Fokker D.VII

[Terrencejones]

Hi Dave,
Great to have you back mate
Its good to have someone who isn't afraid to stir things up a bit to get to the truth. As for the 'blood letting' bring it on I say, I've seen you rip those so called 'experts' to pieces before and jolly entertaining it is too

illigitimus non carborundum est'

catch you later mate, Terry

[bristol scout]

Thanks Terry,

Though it is never my intention to either A) pontificate or B) rip to pieces

And indeed, as I said, I've yet to be attacked here by anyone whom I consider an expert.

As for the rest of us plodders--well if by having a debate (heated or otherwise) we can get to some basic truths (as indeed you say Terry) instead of long held opinions which are quite often not 'truth' but merely mythology---then, so much the better--and is'nt that why we are all here!

I always work one the opinion that there are good and bad historians and that there is only one historical TRUTH----yes, it is very often difficult in the extreme to 'get to it'--- and --for instance--what is taught--say, in France about European 'history' from 1066--through the hundered years war--Napoleonic war (some people still think the Prussians won at Waterloo!!!!!) to W.W.1 and 11---is radically different to what we were taught--this I know!

The same with Germany for the 20th. century--so much so that a German historian was castigated for claiming German responsibility for W.W.1--in a way that would'nt happen here--think of the wide acclaim works by John Laffin, Paul Fussell Alan clark---to mention only a few obvious ones--attain over here!!!

Sorry to 'go on' and apologies for drifting......


Dave.

[backusstudio]

Hi Dave,

It sounds as if I was (once again) in error addressing you as a novice. I haven't run into you previously on these forums and your post counter reads at 70. So you can understand my confusion.

I have to disagree about the behavior of some of the advanced players on this forum. The behavior of many of them ranges from bullying to childish name calling. Far too often the concern is to 'be right', to win the argument, not to get at the truth. To my way of thinking a person whose behavior is dictated by their ego, even if they appear arrogant and over confident, has a weak ego. I was not directing that comment at you.

I agree with Terry. "Don't let the bastards grind you down".

[Chock]

Actually, you are not alone in thinking you might have seen a genuine pic of MVR in the DVII, as I too could have sworn I'd seen one, although since one hasn't turned up on this thread, I presume I'm just going mad as I get older and was mistaken.

Al

[crankcase]

Originally Posted by Chock

Actually, you are not alone in thinking you might have seen a genuine pic of MVR in the DVII, as I too could have sworn I'd seen one, although since one hasn't turned up on this thread, I presume I'm just going mad as I get older and was mistaken.
Al

Obviously a case of collective hallucination!
marc

[backusstudio]

Something (I hope) everyone will agree on is that it would be great if that photo of MvR did exist. It was such a powerful moment, the top ace of the war seated in the prototype of the top fighter plane of the war. How could Fokker, a rabid cinematographer and self promoter let such a moment go by unrecorded? I can only assume that the photos and possibly movies were taken and subsequently lost.

I had a forehead slapping moment over this topic this morning. Since so much is known about the individual elements involved but no actual visual record exists (other than Al's Photoshop work) it would make an excellent topic for a painting.

I'm thinking original V.11, parked on the field at Aldershof, with MvR still in flight gear post flight talking to Anthony Fokker about the flight characteristics of the aircraft. What do you think? Worth a try?

[Chock]

Well, that we do know happened, so it would make a good subject. You might even have MVR pointing to the upper wing of the prototype, since apparently it was him who was fairly insistent on it having the wing cut out to aid pilot visibility.

Al

[backusstudio]

That would work well with MvR in the cockpit. I like the idea of MvR being higher up in the composition with Fokker looking up from ground level. The rudder area was also the focus of a lot of the redesign work but might not be as interesting a layout.

Thank God people at least agree that this event took place! I'll work up some sketches and post them here. I welcome the input and opinions of anyone with interest in the subject. I'll admit anytime that my enthusiasm for this subject is far greater than my knowledge of it.

[Chock]

Here's another idea, you could have Fokker surreptitiously sticking a hand on the rear fuselage to make sure it is intact, that being where they sneakily welded an extension into it over the weekend, to improve stability LOL

Al

[backusstudio]

LOL. That was the following weekend. In this scene Fokker is thinking "Scheisse, I was hoping I wouldn't have to change a thing!"