German Bombers

AHC-ED · 29 January 2008, 01:49 PM

I recently came across a photo of a bomber which may, or may not, be either a Gotha or a Friedrichshafen but on the side, amongst the lozenge fabric, appears to be a representation of the constellation Cassiopeia. Can anyone tell me anthing about either the insignia or the aircraft?

Thanks

The thumbnail doesn't show the constellation at all well and you have to get up REAL close to the photo to show it. Each of the stars are represented by an eight-pointed star, the first of which is located at the top longeron about halfway across the machine gun. There's a very thin line going down a about 170 degrees to the left to the next star wgich is located behind the control cables.

Nebogatoff · 29 January 2008, 10:06 PM

Doubt if I could be of any help, but would love to see the pic.

FOKKERJ · 29 January 2008, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebogatoff

Doubt if I could be of any help, but would love to see the pic.

Me too!

Regards, FOKKERJ

P.S. AHC-ED, Welcome to the Aerodrome, where you just might find the answer you are looking for.

Nebogatoff, your foto on your avitar....you look very familiar, I never forget a face. Have we met before?

AHC-ED · 30 January 2008, 02:57 PM

Hi all,

Have blown up the original photo a bit and added the approx. position of the constellation insignia (in green). The actual line itself is quite narrow with, as I said, a star at the end of each line.

Hopefully someone will be able to help so, thanks, in anticipation.

Kilian · 30 January 2008, 03:34 PM

Only a guess but i would think it is a Friedrichshafen G.III

Cigogne · 30 January 2008, 07:13 PM

It is a Gotha G.V. This photo was one of several propaganda photos taken with Gotha G.V aircraft by Idflieg photographers. They appeared in various ways, newspapers, Sanke Cards, etc.

Gregvan · 30 January 2008, 07:50 PM

Hi,

Sorry I didn't get to this sooner. Yes, this is a very well known propaganda photo of a Gotha G.V, and the constellation is indeed Cassiopeia. According to Dr. Glen Merrill's superb study of Gotha Markings, this was possibly a G.V of Staffel 17 of BOGOHL III. Note that the fuselage cross is a "one-off" style of conversion from Iron Cross to Balkenkreuz - very unique and attractive. According to Glen, this aircraft also had a white crescent moon painted on its nose.

The number 655 appears on the port wheel disk; thus, this machine has sometimes been identified as G.V 655/16. However, the late Peter Grosz was of the firm opinion that that wheel was a replacement from Gotha G.IV 655/16, and that this G.V was NOT 655/16. However, the actual serial number remains a mystery.

Greg VanWyngarden

AHC-ED · 31 January 2008, 10:50 AM

Thanks, all, for your information -I had been inclining towards the Friedrichshafen so it's good to get the correct gen before I make a fool of myself.

A last(?) question, if I may: was the constellation insignia applied to all the Staffel aircraft or just this one in particular?

Gregvan · 31 January 2008, 03:39 PM

Dear AHC-ED,

In my opinion the constellation insignia was certainly a personal one.

Greg