Otto Klssenberth Sopwith Camel Markings

[StephenLawson]

Here is a bit of fun on the subject. R.C. Johnson lives in Longmont CO. and has done a series of articles under the title Chandelle. This image is posted at the WWI modeler's page. I doubt the black and white was extended forward when the imaged posted previously were taken.



Click Here.

[Gregvan]

That's a nicely done profile, Stephen. Personally, I doubt that the panel behind the RNAS Eagle was overpainted black, it certainly retained its British camouflage finish. The profile does not illustrate the tonal difference between the cowling and the metal panel just aft of it. Also, I think the small leading section of the fin that wasn't white was painted black as part of the Jasta 23b unit markings.

Just FYI.

Greg

[StephenLawson]

I agree Greg. They probably overpainted it from the fuselage cockade back.

[RussGannon]

Gregvan

Thanks for that. The answer is probably there in 'The Camel File' (which sadly I don't have).

If you are willing to have a look, then here are a couple more I jotted in my notebook that might fit the bill:

The Camel of 2Lt HK Cassels of 70 Sqn was POW in 17 Armee area on 22 Mar 18 as result of combat with JG III. Unfortunately I did not jot down the serial no in my note book.

B2482 - Lt G Hamilton of 43 Sqn went missing on a practice flight on 2 May 18 and ended up a POW.

Cheers Russ.

[Gregvan]

Russ,

B2482 - was a presentation a/c, "Australia No. 1, South Australia No. 1, the Sidney Kidman." At 71 Sqdn, it crashed on landing on 5.1.18 - apparently none too badly(2/Lt Woolhouse unhurt), then forced landed on 13.1.18 due to engine failure, overturned at Doullens (Woolhouse again unhurt). The unit became No. 4 Sqdn AFC, and B2482 went through several repair parks before winding up at 43 Sqdn on 19.4.18. Lt G. Hamilton failed to return from a "practice flight" at 1805 hrs on 2.5.18, and he became an uninjured PoW.


According to TSTB, on 22 March '18, 2/Lt H K Cassels was taken PoW in Camel C8235 of 70 Sqdn, following combat with HA nw of Cambrai; he had left on an OP at 2:25 PM. Camel C8235 was delivered to 70 Sqdn on 8.3.18, and had never served in No. 3 Naval or any other frontline unit prior to that.

Greg

[StephenLawson]

Kissenbrth's 20th 16 May 1918 1055 Jasta 23 Sopwith Camel S.E.5a Tilly-Neuville. So if he flew the Camel on that date to bring down the Se 5a its likely that it had been kept for familarization flights wth the Jasta 23b. Very well taken care of according to the images. Naval 3 was where it began. Greg I am not near my library at this time. Wasn't there something about this bird in one of Wm. Puglisi's articles on Aircraft in Enemy Hands?

[Gregvan]

Quote: Wasn't there something about this bird in one of Wm. Puglisi's articles on Aircraft in Enemy Hands?

Not that I recall, Stephen.
Greg

[RussGannon]

Gregvan

Thanks for your efforts. If you are still game, how about - bugger done it again didn't jot down the bloody serial number in my note book - anyway the 46 Sqn Camel flown by none other than VM Yeates on 25 Mar 18 - ftl & abandoned on a low mission to south of Bapaume - again 17 Armee A/O.

Cheers Russ.

[Gregvan]

Russ,

That was Camel C1572. The first and only frontline unit it served in was 46 Sqdn, where it arrived on 12.3.18. 2/Lt R K McConnell was credited with a yellow Albatros D.V OOC at Morchies on 23.3.18 in it. On 25 March 1918, 2/Lt V M Yeates left in it at 1355, was brought down south of Bapaume, and the a/c was badly damaged and unsalvable.

[RussGannon]

Gregvan

Once again thanks for your efforts. I guess it has to be there in 'The Camel File' - one which served with 3 Naval early 1918 and was lost (but not destroyed) prior to 16 May. Most likely in, or close, to 17 Armee area of ops. I gather the Camel's are listed in serial number sequence? If you are still game, I'll have another rumage through my log for possible contenders. It's got to be solvable.

Cheers Russ.