Photos Beuteflugzeuge

[musec04]

Stig,


No, I don't think we can.But the uniforms in both photos and,come to think of it,the fact the seller is based in Germany are I would suggest further circumstantial evidence towards the photo being taken somewhere in the Reich in its post 12 March 1938 borders and that we are in fact looking at the ex-Austrian machine.One of the things that does concern me,is why is it not bearing a Hakenkreuz on the tail?


If anyone has anything further, I am still interested also in my original question,is there any evidence for use by the Luftwaffe of this machine? Any records of it still being on hand post September 1939?



Regards,


Clint

[Tom Willis]

I agree with Gerhard
Clearly pre-war German uniforms and would tend to suggest a competition/visit of some kind. Does not indicate to me that this is either Austrian or a captured aircraft

[Huib Ottens]

Hi,

This photo intrigued me. In my opinion it shows a long name and that might give a clue regarding its identity.
I checked the excellent Air-Britain DH.84 production log and found only one DH.84 with a long name that resembles the name on the image:

"The Leicestershire Vixen" (also known as the "The Leicestershire Vixen II")

The information from the log reads:

"6019
(Gipsy Major #5168/5169) Regd G-ACEK[CofR 4216] 2.5.33 to William Lindsay Everard MP, Ratcliffe Hall, Leicester; known as"The Leicestershire Vixen II" [but painted simply as “The Leicestershire Vixen”].CofA 3890 issued 11.5.33.Regd [CofR 7143] 23.6.36 to Olley Air Service Ltd, Croydon; probably operated by associate Channel Air Ferries, Shoreham.Sold 8.36 and regd [CofR 7316] 3.9.36 to Cecil Herbert Stave [believed pseudonym for Leonard H Stace of Air Commerce], Croydon. Regn cld 3Q.36 as sold abroad.Sold 9.36 to Union Founders Trust Ltd and on to Federation Populaire des Sports Aeronautiques, Paris (for Spanish Republicans). Sold 19.10.36 to M Joseph Hermann, Paris on behalf of Compagnie Air Taxi, Vienna (a fictitious company). Detained at Croydon to prevent export to Spain. RegdG-ACEK[CofR 7549] 15.12.36 to Union Founders Trust Ltd, Croydon. Sold 26.1.37 to Air Dispatch Ltd, Croydon and regd [CofR 7733] 5.3.37 to (finance company) Mutual Finance Ltd; operated by Air Dispatch/Commercial Air Hire, Croydon. Regd [CofR 8410] 23.3.38 to [associate] Advance Air Lines Ltd, roydon.Regd [CofR8470] 23.4.38 to [associate] Anglo-European Airways Ltd, Croydon.Cld 1.5.39; delivered 8.39 & regd 22.1.40 to [associate]Commercial Air Hire Ltd, Cardiff.Regn cld 21.7.40 as sold.Impressed 21.7.40 asAX867and delivered same day to RAF Ringway.To 7 AACU, Castle Bromwich 23.8.40 and on to DH Witney same day for repair.Returned to Ringway 8.9.40 and although allotted to 110 (AAC) Wing, Ringway, it returned to 7 AACU.To DH Witney for major inspection 15.7.41 and soc for spares 21.7.41.

As you can see there is an Austrian connection in the log, but that doesn't explain the scene on the photo.

I couldn't find a photo of this specific aircraft, but there is a photo of an old model of the aircraft which shows the name in the same curly letters, in the same place and also shows the broad tailband. The models shows the name as "The Leicestershire Vixen II" so perhaps the name was carried as well. The photo doesn't seem to show the additional "II"?


Just my two eurocents...

[musec04]

Hi,


Thanks to Maciej for the improved photo and many thanks Huib for the detective work.I think we can definitely say that you've correctly identified the aircraft. Ironically enough,I actually live in Leicestershire So not OE-FKD. What did happen to rhat machine it seems to have simply disappeared as far as any evidence of its existence post Anschluss is concerned.


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Huib is quite correct

Malcolm just returned my e-mail and says it is that very aircraft.
BTW the log that Huib use is made by Malcolm Fillmore for account of Air Britain.

Cheers
Stig

[musec04]

Stig,


I've seen the photo of OE-FKD on a snowy runway. Is it known whether this was taken in Austria or rather the UK prior to delivery? The reason I ask, is given that there seems to be relatively little evidence for its post March 1938 existence,was it definitely delivered to Austria rather than say diverted to Spain? Do photos exist of the machine wearing the Austrian triangles?



Meanwhile here's a photo from the same seller of a captured Fokker G.I


https://www.ebay.de/itm/384642669899...wAAOSwfnNhzCU3


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Well Clint

From experience I prefer to no longer quote "Gospels" but I think the well known photo you refer to was
taken in Austria prob during the winter 1935-36.
Reason for that is that there is another photo of the aircraft in Reisinger's 'Die verbotene Luftwaffe 1918-38'
This photo taken just before the delivery flight 20 July 1935 shows the aircraft only wearing OE-FKD, no tail strip,
no DNr 64.
He also states it was handed over to Aufklärungsstaffel 2 and that the final markings was painted on the aircraft
after delivery.
He also states it was taken over by the Luftwaffe in 1938.
There is also another not so well known photo of OE-FKD taken at Aspern in one of Fred Haubner's books.

So I am fairly confident it went to Austria and later to Luftwaffe.
If the latter actually had any interest in the aircraft, no idea.....

Cheers
Stig

PS: Forgot before to give Gerhard his due for getting us on the right track with the photo! Thanks!!