Wilhelm Schwartz dr1

Rilck Milas · 29 July 2008, 11:21 AM

Wilhelm Schwartz's dr1 had early style markings as we can see from the photos, even though the date is noted a May, 1918. Does anyone have any thoughts as to whether the wing crosses were early or late?
Rick Milas

Rilck Milas · 30 July 2008, 01:13 PM

Thought maybe I should clarify that I'm referring to the blue triplane with the green cowling. In the one known photograph it has early style crosses on the fuselage and rudder. I was wondering if it also had the early crosses on the upper and lower wings, or if it might have the later straight crosses on the wings, since the photo is dated May, 1918. I too am thinking about doing a model of this plane and not sure which crosses to put on the wings. Thanks in advance.
Rick

Marcio Campos · 31 July 2008, 06:30 AM

Rilck

as you may have seen in the "JG II blue triplanes" thread I created, I'm also interested in building this Dr.I. So I share your doubt about wing crosses, and also would like to know whether fuselage and tail undersurfaces were light blue (as wings undersurfaces) or the darker JG II blue.

All the best from Brazil

Marcio

Rilck Milas · 1 August 2008, 09:39 AM

Hi Marcio,
I guess no one knows the answer to our questions. I never thought of the underside color, but now that you mention it I also would like to know the answer to that.
Rick

FOKKERJ · 1 August 2008, 03:15 PM

When you find out, PLEASE let me know!

Good Luck, Jay Schwartz

Gregvan · 1 August 2008, 05:12 PM

Hi Gentlemen,

Sorry I haven't been able to respond to this until now. From everything I can see on the photo, the wings were the standard streaked camouflage, and I'm fairly certain that the upper wing crosses were still Iron Crosses on white fields. The crosses on the upper wings were the hardest to modify, and since none of the other crosses had been changed (including those on the underside of the bottom wing), it's very doubtful that the upper wing crosses were either. I think I can see just a hint of the white fields on the leading edge of the top wings as well.

As far as the undersides of the fuselage and tailplane, that's anybody's guess. My own opinion would be that both the underside of the tail and fuselage was painted in JG II blue. I don't know the reason that the crosses had not been altered by this date, but the photo caption clearly states this was taken on 15 May 1918. The serial number was probably 193/17.

Greg

Rilck Milas · 1 August 2008, 05:23 PM

Greg,
Thank you so much for your answer to our questions. I thought the upper and lower wing crosses might be of the iron cross type, but I wasn't sure. As always, the information you provide is very much appreciated. By the way, I love your books. They're great reading and very helpful.
Rick Milas

Marcio Campos · 2 August 2008, 06:05 PM

Greg, I also would like to thank you for the very valuable information!

All the best from Brazil

Marcio

mike celeskey · 2 August 2008, 10:17 PM

Could someone direct me to a color profile of this plane?
Mike

Dan_San_Abbott · 26 August 2008, 07:05 PM

Greg:
I have looked at this photo and I am troubled by the 15 May 1918 date. I cannot see how a front-line Jasta of the caliber of Jasta 13, ignoring the Idflieg mandatory directive of 17 March 1918, with a stipulated completion date by 15 April 1918. Further, the crossfields should have been painted over before 17 March 1918, another directive. I wonder if the individual who had taken these photos misdated them?? That seems the only logical explanation.
Blue skies,
Dan-San