Author Topic: Löwenhardt's Fokker (Read 2224 times)

stefanbuss · « **on:** April 17, 2016, 03:53:42 AM »

Friends,

can someone please provide me with the information what subtype (means: manufacturer and/or serial number) of the Fokker D.VII Erich Löwenhardt flew when he was killed in 1918, due to his parachute failing to open?

Kindest regards,
Stefan

aircare84 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 17, 2016, 08:20:04 AM »

According to Osprey Fokker DVII Aces. Fokker DVII with bright yellow fuselage & lozenge covered wings. No mention of S/N or manufacture. Only 1 photo was taken of that particular aircraft.
Perhaps some of the experts out there may have further info.

uncletony · « **Reply #2 on:** April 17, 2016, 08:47:40 AM »

The illustration depicts it with Fokker-style panels. The text proposes that it might have been a BMW powered, Fokker built D.VIIF, but they admit that there is more than a healthy dose of speculation in there.

RAGIII · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2016, 03:18:56 PM »

Only one long distance photo has been identified. NO details can be seen. As for the variant most likely guess is a mid production BMW powered DVIIF. I believe one of his mechanics stated only the fuselage was yellow. It was a little too early for the late version with triangular metal panel. Here is my interpretation.

RAGIII

RAGIII · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2016, 03:32:41 PM »

Quote from: The Red Baron on April 17, 2016, 03:22:38 PM

Nice interpretation, although I am duty bound to point out that those black semi-circular handling instructions on the wings were a late production feature - are they visible in the photo?

The photo is a flying shot from a distance away so no is the answer. Now how to get rid of those black semi circles

RAGIII

dr 1 ace · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2016, 07:15:23 AM »

Quote from: RAGIII on April 17, 2016, 03:18:56 PM

Only one long distance photo has been identified. NO details can be seen. As for the variant most likely guess is a mid production BMW powered DVIIF. I believe one of his mechanics stated only the fuselage was yellow. It was a little too early for the late version with triangular metal panel. Here is my interpretation.

RAGIII

Looks good to me !

Ed

stefanbuss · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2016, 05:08:59 PM »

Friends,

thank you very much for your responses.

Stefan

stefanbuss · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2016, 08:16:45 PM »

Btw,
this is what DSA had to say in 2005 at the 'drome:

Quote

During July 1918, Loewenhardt received a Fok.D.VIIF 42xx/18 with a BMW IIIa engine. The fuselage, tailplane forward fin half, struts and wheel covers were painted yellow. That is all we have. The wings were probably four color fabric. Being Fokker built it had cut strips of printed fabric.

Quote

The Fok.D.VIIF and the D.VII in the D.4250/18 to D.4449/18 did not have the rear side panels. It had the three louvers on the side panels and six on the upper side cowlings. The exhaust exited above the side panel and at the rear of the top cowling. The entire aircraft was covered with printed fabric, most with the four color day pattern, dark on the top and sides, and the light pattern on the bottom.

And, as a "final nicety" this:

Quote

Look at Fokker D.VII Aces of World War 1, Part 1, by Norman Franks and Greg Van Wyngarden with profile illustrations by Harry Dempsey. Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 53, Oxford, 2003. Page 34, Profile 6, page 35, Profile 10; page 36, Profile 15 are all incorrect. These three machines had cowlings the same as shown Profile 9, page 36. This is not correct either, it is missing the mageto access door. There are quite a few that have wrong cowlings /details. What ever Mr.Dempsey is using for source material, is inaccurate.