Photo Aviatik B.I

[musec04]

Hi Stig,


Granted, the serial on the tail does look very like 3347.


However, as your checks have already revealed the only year in which a serial for B.3347 exists is 1917 and an LVG B.III (Schul).


As for a C.3347 1916,1917 and 1918 are already accounted for leaving only 1915. The nearest serial I have for 1915 is C.3309 for an LVG C.III so not promising either. Now C.3547/15 was a Aviatik C.I, but I don't believe either of use feel that the second figure on the tailplane is a 5.


My question to you is, do you think the first two charecters on the tailplane are identical? Clearly having decided that the serial is B.347/14,I don't but I do understand your reservations.I read it as a cursive B. Am I sure I'm correct? Well frankly,no. But would the first charecter on the tailplane not logically be a letter rather than a number and the little that can be seen of the first charecter on the fuselage is while consistent with a 3 also consistent with a B. and B.347/14 is at least an option that fits with other known serials. I have photographic images of B.344/14 prior to B.347 and either B.350/14 or B.352 succeeding it.



Were I to see any C series Aviatik machines in proximity to C.3347/15 at a future date I would necessarily have to reconsider and I very much understand your doubts.


Regards,


Clint