Kondor E.III

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone had any information regarding the Kondor E.III? I understand that it was flight tested at Adlershof during the third fighter competition in October 1918. I would like to know about it's specifications and how well it flew. I understand that Hptmn. Schleich thought highly of it. Was it selected for production?

regards

[Rbailey]

According to Gray and Thetford, it was a parasol, 9 m span, 5.8 m length, 2.745 height coming in two versions with different engines, Oberursel U III and Goebel III. Speed 195 - 200 km/h. It appears under "Other Types" which implies few built.

Hi Rbailey,

Thanks for the info. Would it be to much trouble to post a picture or 3 view of the Kondor E.III? I would greatly appreciate it!

regards

[greenknight]

If its any help, the 2 pics. of the Kondor E.III and E.IIIa that appear in the edition of Grey and Thetford that I have (1970 edition) also appear in the fairly recent book, "Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War I."

A picture of a Kondor E.IIIa in use in Switzerland after the war can be found in the article, "Corrections and Addendum to Expatriate and Ex-Officio Aircraft of the Central Powers", by Colin A. Owers. This article is in Vol. 22, No. 4, Winter 1981 issue of Cross & Cockade USA.

At least one was operated in Switzerland giving aerobatics demonstrations, and at least 2 more are said to have been used in the Netherlands. One of the designers involved with the development of the E.III, Rethel by name, emigrated to the Netherlands postwar and worked for the NAVO company where he designed a transport plane. There is some indication that some of the E.III's may have been built abroad.

I think I remember seeing a small 3-view of this airplane in an issue of Air International from sometime in the 80's. I think it appeared in as an entry in a feature called "Fighter A to Z", which appeared monthly and gave short blurbs on the products of various companies. I don't think I have the issue with the Kondor products with me. (However one issue that I do have here from April 1984 has features the Lavochkin company, so you might find the Kondor a few issues previous if you have access to a library with this magazine and are inclined to dig. Can't guarantee whats actually there, of course, am relying on memory only.)

Part of my interest in this airplane is that it appeared it might make a neat flying model. Kind of reminiscent of the Fokker D.VIII, but different. One of these days, perhaps.....

Best Regards,

Greenknight

Thanks greenknight, I will look into finding those sources.

regards

[Rbailey]

A quick on-line search gave the following:
http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~pettypi/elevon/gust...ORE3.htmlKondor E 3

(Germany)
Parasol monoplane fighter. 100 were ordered by the German forces with the designation D I. The E 3 was inspired by the
Fokker E V. The Konder E 3 was said to have excellent flying characteristics and a more robust wing than that of the Fokker
E V. But only 8 to 10 were completed before the end of the war.

Type: E 3
Function: fighter
Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 160hp Goebel Goe III
Wing Span: 9.00m Length: 5.50m Height: 2.75m Wing Area: 12.75m2
Empty Weight: 460kg Max.Weight: 640kg
Speed: 190km/h Ceiling: Range:


I am rather reluctant to post copyrighted material on a public forum, but I can scan the Gray and Thetford pictures and send them to you privately - might take me a few days to ge to it though.

Regards

Hi Rbailey,

I may have access to some pictures. I will let you know if I can't find them. Thanks for the offer and great info!

regards