Photo AEG B.I

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a postcard showing AEG B.I machines of the A. E. G.-Flugzeugwerke/FEA 1 at:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Germany-191...UAAOSw5eReip5J


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

This is a very interesting photo Clint

In Herris AEG book there is an almost identical shot (unknown date as well) of AEG 61, 191 and 189, all identifiable, plus possible 77 and 96.
He claims the place is Nieder-Neuendorf and from the wordings I interpret it as this was AEG's own airfield where they had their own Flying School. They had moved into that field already in 1912.
If you compare the two photos, one can see the photographer has stood at basically the same spot both times.

The photo you located seems to contain Nos 72, 73 and 74.
Herris interpret the numbers as "School numbers". It is a reasonable assumption and could well be correct, but what I then ask myself would the School really need 191+ aircraft (supposing they actually started on 1!)?

My theory what we are looking at are AEG factory numbers and that the school used them as an easy way of identification. The school was in use at least up to 1917 and my guess is they built these two-seaters for a much longer period than assumed. I also believe these photos were taken much later than let say 1914.

Any thoughts anyone?

Cheers
Stig

[musec04]

Hello Stig,


Yes, the numbers as school numbers appear to be the consensus opinion on the AEG Flying School machines. Interestingly, I at least haven't seen any B***/14 serials for any of the any of the AEG School Numbers you list in your previous post. Presumably just coincidence! Otherwise why would AEG remove the B.? Moreover in 1917 one of these machines was (and entirely possibly more were assigned a B./17 serial as B.100/17. I'm not aware of any known serials after that until B.119/17 a Albatros B.II(Mer). So entirely possible B.101/17 through B.118/17 are also ex company flying school machines.


Regards,


Clint

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay another purported AEG photo. It does resemble the Z.6 at:


https://www.ebay.de/itm/Flugzeug-Jag...QAAOSwov5enr8u


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hi Clint

Most likely taken at the same place, ie Nieder-Neuendorf. One can faintly discern the AEG number on the fuselage side. Pupil looks somehow "civil dressed"...

The point I was trying to make is that the markings I refer to on the two reference photos are that they were not connected to the militaries, but that AEG was contracted to educate a number of pilots on behalf of the Luftstreitkräfte. Thus these aircraft carried their own markings all the way perhaps even into 1917.

Without knowing any dates I know that this is pure speculation on my part,
but I think it is an interesting situation. When the war broke out in Europe all major manufacturers had their own schools, probably operating on a much larger scale than the militaries themselves. The first thing they must have asked themselves was how to put them best into use?

It would be highly interesting to find out what really happened on the training side with the major combatants during should we say 1912 - 18.
I don't think any books (at least I don't have any) have been written specifically about the training of pilots during the Great War.

Cheers
Stig

[musec04]

Hi Stig,


I understood you when you referred to the non military serials. Guess that didn't come across in my post.The reference to military serial numbers was a seperate speculative point and clearly susceptible to misinterpretation.I should have put it in a seperate para I guess.


While on the subject of the school numbers and referring to your initial post about the 191+ possible machines, purely and completely speculation again on my part, but perhaps numbers were assigned by a central body to all the company run flying schools as it is very difficult to believe AEG operated 191+ machines.


I totally agree with your sentiments on the desirability of a book on WW.I training schools. Ideally with a complete range of serials too!


Regards,


Clint

[musec04]

Hello,


I take it some will already have seen this photo, but as I referred to the aircraft in post four of this thread here is a photo of the unusually serialed AEG B.I B.100/17 :


https://www.ebay.de/itm/Fliegertrupp...sAAOSwoudW2k7C


Regards,


Clint