German Navy Fokker D.VII

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by musec04

Hi Stig,
I've just been looking through Albatros Publications various volumes of the Fokker D.VII Anthology. Interestingly Vol.2 has a couple of photos of D.7 (OAW)2010/18 on the inside front cover. Reading further P.25 shows that the arabic style numerals were used rather than the more familiar roman style on early machines and further also on various components of the aircraft.So possibly on the rudder also, although I believe the aircraft in Petrusja's link is the first time I've seen this.

So while accepting your reasoning that D5584/18 was flown by Engelfried and taken over by the dutch, I'm wondering if in fact the aircraft shown in Petrusja's link is another impounded machine and in fact D.5288/18. It would certainly be interesting to know the serial number of the Fokker D.VII flown by Baum of MFJ IV. the reference to Marine Jagd Stab IV. in Petrusja's post might lead one to believe that this is a MFJ IV machine.
Regards,
Clint

OhOh

Stick your neck out and it gets cut off straight away...

Very typically I never bought the Fokker D.VII Anthology books. The Dutch photo is of a Alb built aircraft while you refer to an OAW built one.
Are those photos you look at the same style, ie extremely small on the rudder and looks like they were painted with "the left hand"?

I am also quite positive there are no hidden/unknown force landings in the Dutch archives. This is one and the same aircraft, no doubt about it.
The question is which one, D5584/18 or D5288/18.
I am still suspicious about the D5288/18 painted on the rudder. It does not look OK to me even if we now can say a few aircraft did receive D.7 instead D.VII markings.

Just like you I am also quite intrigued about who this Alfred Baum guy was. There was quite a few D.VIIs escaping from perhaps Belgium(?) 13.11.1918, none listed with a pilot's name.

Petrusja
Can you verify your source and why they say Baum and not Engelfried?

Cheers
Stig

[musec04]

Hi Stig,


I'm realise I'm definitely offering my neck to the guillotine too...


I agree that the hand writing on the rudder perhaps does look a little freehand after all.Whereas it looks more like a stencil on the component parts.



D.2010/18 is as you correctly point out an OAW built machine, whereas as my reference to the drawings on P.25 applies, I believe to all aircraft. Indeed I'm wondering if stencilling components with the serial number was widespread across the whole German aircraft industry.I recall seeing this applied to the struts of the Pfalz Dr.I for example and I believe I've seen other examples too. I'll have to check that out.


Regards,


Clint

[musec04]

Hello Stig,


It doesn't exactly support the views in my previous post but it would appear that the Fokker Anthology does mean only early OAW built machines used the roman numerals for which also see:

wingnutwings.com/ww/productdetail?productid=3080&cat=1



Back to the drawing board!


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Clint

Some very nice photos of Fokker D.7 on that site.
I have to admit I have very little to contribute when it comes to details (such as part stenciling). Must have seen their existance but with no real interest in the construction (read technical matters) of aircraft, I most likely have bypassed them.

I have by now begun to think in terms of a replacement rudder. Could make sense you know.....

Cheers
Stig