forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Art => Paintings/Drawings/CGI of WW1 aircraft => Topic started by: RussellSmith on January 02, 2014, 06:12:02 AM

Title: New painting - Jasta Raben Pfalz
Post by: RussellSmith on January 02, 2014, 06:12:02 AM

Of all of the German aerial units which served during World War I, Jastas 15 and 18 shared the most unusual history. After assuming command of JGII in March, 1918, Hptm Rudolph Berthold tried to have his old unit, Jasta 18, attached to JGII. After failing to do so, he then arranged to have all of Jasta 18’s flying personnel, aircraft, and unit markings swapped out with those of Jasta 15, a unit already attached to JGII. Jasta 18 became Jasta 15, and Jasta 15 became 18.

After the transition, Jasta 18 was commanded by Ltn August Raben and the unit became unofficially known by its commander's name - Jasta Raben (German for "ravens"). The unit's new colors featured a distinctive red and white color scheme with a black Raven emblazoned on the fuselage.

Though the unit was mostly made up of Albatrosses, and later, DVII's, this particular Pfalz DIIIa was also assigned to the unit. Ltn d R Hans Müller, a 12 victory ace, is known to have flown this aircraft during the spring of 1918. Müller's personal insignia included diagonal fuselage bands and a chevron striped tailplane, however no photographic evidence is known to exist to suggest that this aircraft carried those  markings.

Jasta Raben Pfalz
9" x 18"
oil on linen

Detail shots can be found on my website: http://www.russellsmithart.com/Small%20pages/Jasta%20Raben%20Pfalz.html

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f83/aeroart/JastaRabenPfalzFN_zps22d39fee.jpg)

Title: Re: New painting - Jasta Raben Pfalz
Post by: Nigel Jackson on January 02, 2014, 08:42:32 AM

Lovely Russell and very evocative. I like how the red works here, since it must be a tricky  colour to  handle in terms of the balance of cloud and clear sky in the painting.

Best wishes
Nigel

Title: Re: New painting - Jasta Raben Pfalz
Post by: stefanbuss on January 03, 2014, 05:51:16 PM

Really beautiful. You really managed to catch the Pfalz's lovely lines.

Stefan

Title: Re: New painting - Jasta Raben Pfalz
Post by: Ernie on January 03, 2014, 08:04:37 PM

Beautiful work, Russell.  I really like the cloud effects as well
as that lovely Pfalz.

Cheers,
Ernie :)

Title: Re: New painting - Jasta Raben Pfalz
Post by: RussellSmith on January 03, 2014, 11:21:55 PM

Thanks so much guys!  :)

Title: Re: New painting - Jasta Raben Pfalz
Post by: Modelnut on January 04, 2014, 02:46:55 AM

I wish my model of that plane looked that good!

Title: Re: New painting - Jasta Raben Pfalz
Post by: Zabu on January 05, 2014, 04:47:17 AM

I can almost hear it coming from the clouds.

Superb painting. Beautiful. Thx for posting Russel.

Cheers