Well rigging is not working for me at the moment and I have some other issues to figure out on the Snipe, so a small pause and change of pace. I'll do another Fokker DVII OAW in the livery of Franz Buchner from Jasta 13.
From Wikipedia:
In March 1917 Büchner became a fighter pilot, joining the Prussian Jagdstaffel 9 where he scored his first and only victory with them, on 17 August.[1] Upon his transfer to Jagdstaffel 13, he found his niche under Rudolph Berthold, one of Germany's most dedicated soldiers. However, it was several months before he scored again, on 15 October.
With the introduction of the Fokker D.VII in 1918, Büchner came into his own; he flew at least three different machines during his career, scoring three victories in June and becoming Commanding Officer of the Jasta on 15 June.[3] It was after his fifth victory that he landed and announced to his squadron colleagues that he had now learned how to win in aerial combat. It was a prescient statement.[4]
On 2 July, he shot down and killed "The Mad Major", Irish 5-victory ace Major Joseph Callaghan, CO of No. 87 Squadron, who was flying a Sopwith Dolphin in a solo attack on Jasta 13.[5] Five days later, he followed up with Canadian ace Lieutenant Merrill Taylor (7 victories), killed in a Sopwith Camel of No. 209 Squadron.[2]
On 29 July 1918 Büchner shot an American Sopwith Camel down in flames with just 14 rounds. His wingman, Leutnant Werner Niethammer, cited this combat as an illustration of Büchner's skill as a marksman; according to Niethammer's account, Büchner had no sooner spotted the American than he had set the enemy aircraft on fire.[6] This would be the last of his seven victories in July.[2]
On 10 August, Büchner's career nearly ended. While attacking and shooting down a two seater in bad flying weather, his plane's fuel tank was hit. Drenched in gasoline, he landed in no man's land and tagged along with two retreating German machine gunners.[7] The incident does not seem to have slowed him down. It was the second of his eight victories in August.[2]
In September Büchner scored 17 victories, the top scoring German fighter pilot for the month. [8] On 10 October, Büchner survived a mid-air collision with fellow Jasta pilot Michaelis; both of them parachuted to safety.[9]
He brought his tally to 40 victories by 22 October 1918.[2] Three days later he was awarded the Pour le Mérite on 25 October 1918, one of the last awards before the Kaiser's abdication.[2]
I really like the paint scheme and he sounds interesting. Also there is next to no rigging.
I have RB seat belts, Master guns, and some Taurus bits and bobs. Just need to order my Aviattic decals. Did some painting today before work so will have pics tonight or tomorrow morning.
James
