Kissenberth's Roland DVIa

[sbuss]

Hello friends,

WNW's instructions include a lovely photograph of the left side of Kissenberth's mount, showing the Edelweiss marking to good effect, but also some dents on the nose fuselage cover.

Is there a photo of this Rolands's right side somewhere available?

Another question: In Osprey's "Fokker DVII Aces part two" (a/c of the aces 63), bottom of page 10, there is a photo of Röth, Kissenberth and von Schleich, with a Roland as a background. Apart from the fact that this is not very likely to be a DVIb as per the text, can someone confirm that the a/c in the back of that photo really is Kissenberth's? That would be his famous Roland without any black colour, then.

Regards,
Stefan

[Gregvan]

Hello,

Well, I possess an original print of the "lovely photo" of Kissenberth's Roland D.VIa as seen in the WNW kit instructions. I can assure that just finding that photo was an incredible revelation - and purchasing it was quite an investment! In other words, photos of Kissenberth's Roland - or any of the rest of his late-war aircraft - don't just grow on trees. I've never seen a photo of the other side of this Roland.

I am also the source of the caption in Fokker D VII Aces of WWI, Part Two. You 're probably right that the aircraft in that photo is a D.VIa, it's difficult to be certain. My source for that information was my late, venerable friend Alex Imrie. In his book German Air Aces of World War 1 (Vintage Warbirds No.8, 1987, Arms & Armour), he published a very sharp print of this photo and part of the caption read: "...in front of Kissenberth's Roland D VIb single-seater." Since Alex was not one to throw about such details carelessly and is still acknowledged as one of the Great experts on German WWI aviation, I took his word for it. Alex's print was undoubtedly sharper than the one I have, and I thought he may have been able to read the stenciling on the rear fuselage. However, it's very likely it's a D.VIa, as you say. If it was Kissneberth's before the spectacular paint job was applied, then that's cool. Of course, he was also flying his famous Sopwith Camel about this same time.

Greg

[sbuss]

Thank you very much for your reply. I was afraid that there would be no photograph that you were aware of, as you might have shared that one with the WNW team as well.

And thank you for clarifying the caption's history, that is much appreciated.

Kind regards,
Stefan