Pre-WWI German Aircraft ID

Westerman · 6 February 2006, 05:56 PM

Anyone know what AC this is?

Westerman · 7 February 2006, 09:13 AM

Who would be best historian/researcher to contact regarding IDing this AC and trying to find more pictures?

Thanks

Old Man · 7 February 2006, 06:39 PM

It has rather a Depperdussin look about it. If the picture originates in Germany, it could have been taken at an air show before the war; these often had French aviators participating. I will look through my pre-war materials and see if anything rings a bell.

Hans · 8 February 2006, 10:33 AM

The tail is a very Taube-Style. The complete layout is very close to the Mellie Beese 'Sportmodell', but the landing gear differs...

H.

Old Man · 8 February 2006, 02:26 PM

But there are several differences. The cowling is a different cut, and has three cooling holes instead of 5. Though it is hard to be sure, I read this motor as being a nine-cylinder type, rather than a seven, as the 50 hp Oberusel of the Sportsmodel. There is also no trace of an underwing brace-girder, such as the Sportsmodel featured, but rather a plethora of flight wires anchored to the undercarriage. I do not think the stringers showed through, either, on the Sportsmodel, as they do on the aft portion of the fuselage here.

On the other hand, I cannot find a picture of a Deperdussin with that split rudder....

16 February 2006, 02:22 PM

may be a military version of the 1912 british Blackburn