Ltn. Franz Ray's Albatros D.III/D.Va

Welcome everybody,

Guys, I have a question regarding the Albatros D.III/D.Va flown by Ltn. Franz Ray of Jasta 49, 1918. The picture which puzzles me, is on the Pilots & Planes of WW1 website: it states that this aircraft is a D.III and has had the upgrades, ie. radiator positioned to the right and the latter-style rounded rudder, as fitted to the D.Va.

My question is, was Jasta 49 a home-defence unit? As this was quite late in the War, they seem to be equipped with the D.III. The reason I ask this, is that I understand that older aircraft were used for this purpose. Any information any of you can give me on Jasta 49 and how successful Ltn. Franz Ray was, I'd be very pleased to read it.

Best Wishes, Ken.

[Dan_San_Abbott]

kenderoz:
Ltn. Franz Ray's machine is an Alb.D.DIII built OAW. The photo was taken after 17 March 1918,the balken cross. He continued to fly this same machine until after 4 June 1918 when the cross style was changed, this time to the Latin Cross.
Blue skies,
dan-San

[albatros]

Ken-
According to The Jasta Pilots...
Jagdstaffel 49 was formed 23 December 1917, with Leutnant Franz Ray who had nine victories, named the CO. He had previously been with Jasta 28w. It was mobilized 9 January 1918 and dispatched to the 6 Armee Sector. Their first sortie over the lines was on 17 February, and the first casualty was on 8 March when a Flieger Langenheim was wounded. The units first victory was by Ray (10), on 27 March. On 3 April the unit moved to the Flanders area with 4 Armee and shuttled back to the 6 Armee sector on 28 May. It was there only 8 days, when it moved yet again to 2 Armee Sector on 6 June. Ray was also the first pilot to obtain 5 victories with the unit, shooting down his (14) on 2 July. Then on 8 July the Jasta moved to 3 Armee Front where it remained for the rest of the war. Ltn. Ray was ordered to Berlin on 22 October to test a new aircraft design, and command of the staffel went to Ltn. Hermann Habich. During the time Ltn. Ray was with Jasta 49, (15 Dec. 1917-22 Oct. 1918), he shot down 8 machines.
Hope this helps!

Hi Guys!

Thanks for all the information you've given me on Ltn Franz Ray and his Albatros. In the very near future I'm hoping to build his aircraft to add to my growing collection of models. I always feel that when you have a background on the given subject, it does add to a more personal feel and does make a difference to the finished model airplane.

Best Wishes, Ken. *;D

[Cigogne]

If your wanting to build a Franz Ray machine, you might want to consider some of the other machines he flew, especially at Jasta 28w. He flew at least 4 different D.IIIs there with various color schemes, some rather exciting. Look at Over The Front, vol. 15/1 Spring 2000. The article by Peter Kilduff on Jasta 28w is profusely illustrated. A lot of nice shots of Ray and his two spaniels in the cockpit of or around several machines.

Cigogne