Colors of Friedrichshafen G.II

[greenknight]

Can anyone provide some idea of the color and markings used on the Friedrichshafen G.II, predecessor to the more well known G.III and G.IIIa?

Here are two pictures, one at Thomas Genth's site
http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/tgenth/...III_2.jpg#fdh3

and one at Rosebud's Archive
http://www.earlyaviator.com/archive/...II_hangars.jpg

(Although both sites identify these photos as depicting G.III's, I believe they are G.II's as they have only 2 outer bays of interplane struts instead of 3, and no nosewheel as found on the G.III series. Am I mistaken?)

Since the small production run of G.II's were ordered in 1916, I reckon this puts them about the time of camouflage with greens and browns. But I suppose a single color on the top surface would be a possibility too. The appearance of the underwing cross seems to suggest undersides were "light" (light blue, light yellow, or clear finish). Any chance some G.II's would have gotten lozenge finish, either printed or hand-painted?

Thanks for any insight anyone can provide.

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Sean Tavares:
From the study in l'Aerophile, 1er 15 Octobre 1917 on the captured FdH G.II,it states it was camouflaged on green and red-brown (rust) on upper surfaces and light blue on the under surfaces. the photograph in German Aircraft in the First World War, by Thetford and Gray, Putnam, Second revised edition, page 381 illutrates the camouflaged Fdh.G.II, with standard form Iron Crosses with a white border. The vert and rust camouflage also includes the side surfaces. The whee are painted the light blue, which is very light, like what rumpler used. The camouflage pattern is not decernible.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[Flamingo]

Hi Greenknight,

both photographs show the G.II, also to be recognized by the five windows in the bow.

The first aircraft were finished in the light sky scheme, the later machines were dark painted. If the undersurfaces are light I would go for a day cammo, green and brown. On some pictures the undersides appear to be dark which would point to a night scheme. The model in Windsock was painted dark blue-gray overall, Skybirds promotion model was in a two tone night scheme as far as I remember. There were some interesting markings on the bows, a skull, a demon face and a man fighting some snakes.

You may find good material with a 1/72 plan and builder's report of the Skybirds 86 kit here:

Windsock 1996 Vol. 12 No. 6
Windsock 1997 Vol. 13 No. 5

Joachim

[greenknight]

Dan-San and Joachim,

Thank you both very much for your helpful replies! This is exactly the information I was looking for.