Konvolut K.u.K Pilot Josef. Tvrdik

[Knuti62]

Hello gentlemen,

I would like to share a recently researched Austro-Hungarian aviation group that I found particularly interesting.

The ensemble consists of:

- an original photograph inscribed “Pilot Tvardík”
- a Zenith pocket watch retailed by “F. Kodet, Praha VII Dejvice”
- a 1918 military pocket calendar
- a signed postcard from Bohemia

The pilot has been identified as Josef Tvrdík (1893–1918), also recorded in Austrian records as Johann Tordik.

According to archival confirmation from the Military History Institute Prague, Tvrdík later served as a test pilot at the Fliegerarsenal and was killed on 16 October 1918 during a test flight of an Aviatik D.I (Berg) at Aspern near Vienna.

An especially interesting detail is that the initials “J.T.” appear consistently both inside the watch case and within the military calendar.

The calendar additionally contains the handwritten entry:

“k.u.k. Lager Spital
Offiziersgruppe
Feldbach, Steiermark”

I would be very interested in any further information regarding Tvrdík, his service history, or comparable Austro-Hungarian aviation groups.

I am currently considering consignment through Ratisbon’s Auctions.

also ebay:

Identified Konvo WWI Austro-Hungarian Pilot Josef Tvrdík Aviation Group gibt's bei eBay!
https://ebay.us/m/Qo0AcM



Best regards,
Knut Lehmann
Berlin

[VtwinVince]

What is the provenance of this material? Are you using this forum as a platform to shill your material?

[Von Banfield]

From Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War 1 (Haddow, Scheimer)

Aviatik D.I Series 338 Aircraft have an interesting story.

"By the middle of 1918, output of the new 225 hp Daimler engine had reached a level sufficient to supply two production fighters, the Albatros D.III(Oef) series 253 and the Aviatik D.I series 338. Contracts for a total of 294 Aviatik D.I fighters powered by the 225 hp engine were awarded to Aviatik, Lohner, Lloyd and WKF. These aircraft had strengthened wings and engine bearers, and were armed with twin guns mounted at eye level.
As part of the contract dated 18 May 1918, Aviatik built a pre-production batch of eight D.I series 338 fighters for evaluation. These were numbered 338.01 to 338.08. Shortly thereafter, Flars ordered 100 production fighters numbered 338.21 to 338.120 (numbers 338.09 to 338.20 remained unused). The pre-production machines arrived at Aspern in June-July 1918 for flight trials. Engine cooling posed a vexing problem. The nose radiator originally fitted to aircraft 338.01 was replaced by twin Hefa side radiators to improve cooling efficiency and forward visibility. Various other side radiators and an Oefam airfoil radiator (tested in aircraft 338.07) were rejected in favor of a block radiator mounted on the upper wing leading edge which became the production standard.
Two fighters, 338.03 and 338.04, participated in the Fighter Evaluation held on 9-13 July at Aspern. The climb trials performed with aircraft 338.03 were interrupted when the side radiators began to boil over at altitude, but enough data was obtained to demonstrate a remarkable climb rate, second to none. Tested against a captured Sopwith Camel, aircraft 338.06 was faster and showed equal maneuverability with ability to perform sharp turns without altitude loss. In August 1918, aircraft 338.01 and 338.02 were dispatched to Flik 1/J at Igalo for service trials. Here take-off for interception occurred only after enemy aircraft were positively reported or visually sighted. Since it was a task suitable "only for the most rapid climbing and fastest fighter," the fast-climbing D.I series 338 was the ideal aircraft. Flik 1/J commander Oberleutnant Bela Macourek and Offizierstellvertreter Julius Arigi were both credited with two victories while flying a series 338 fighter. Production fighters began to reach the Front in September 1918, but only very few saw combat service in the waning days of the war.
After the crash of aircraft 338.89 which killed Aviatik test pilot Feldwebel Franz Tordik on 16 October 1918, investigation discovered a faulty aileron-pulley support. On 29 October appropriate modifications were ordered on the 34 completed fighters: 338.01 to 338.08, 338.21 to 338.35 and 338.86 to 338.96 and those in production. The reasons for the non-consecutive production run is not known. At the war's end, the resident inspection officer accepted 27 completed series 338 fighters at the factory; the remaining 23 were almost complete. Series 338 production was scheduled to end in December 1918.
Postwar plans calling for the Aviatik D.I series 338 to equip the Austrian air arm were forbidden by the treaty stipulations. Acceding to Czechoslovakian demands, 24 series 338 fighters and ancillary equipment were loaded on freight cars for shipment in December 1918. But the Austrian demobilization office did not grant an export permit until mid-January 1919. By then the fighters, damaged by weather exposure and theft, had only scrap value."

[Knuti62]

Thank you very much, Ezra.

This is extremely helpful information and fits perfectly with the archival confirmation I received from Prague regarding Tvrdík’s death during testing of Aviatik D.I 338.89 near Aspern in October 1918.

I especially appreciate the additional production and evaluation background on the series 338 aircraft.

I will also upload a few more details from the group, including the “J.T.” initials found inside the watch and the military pocket calendar.

Best regards,
Knut

[Knuti62]

Originally Posted by VtwinVince

What is the provenance of this material? Are you using this forum as a platform to shill your material?

Hello,

thank you for your question.

The group came from a private source in Central Europe together with several other period items. I have been researching it for some time, especially after receiving archival confirmation from Prague regarding Josef Tvrdík / Tordik.

My intention here is primarily historical research and discussion with knowledgeable collectors and historians, not direct selling through the forum.

I found the aviation and provenance aspects particularly interesting and hoped members here might be able to contribute additional information.

Best regards,
Knut