Zebra D.III

[Jimmaas]

As a newcomer to this board (which is wonderful, by the way) this question may already have been asked and answered before. If so, please point me in the right direction. I'm trying to find more info on a black and white Albatros D.III - hopefully attached - which I've never seen illustrated. In case it ISN'T attached, the aircraft has black and white striping on all visible surfaces, radiating as chevrons on the upper and lower wing surfaces, and forward sloping on the fuselage. Thanks for any help.

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Jimmaas:
That is the Alb. D.III (OAW) of Oblt. Hans Kummetz, Führer of Jasta 1. The photo was taken at Possanerlo Airfield, Italy in December 1917.
I have a drawing of this machine, it is Cat. No.Js1-20. If interested contact me off line.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Jimmaas:
* That is the Alb. D.III (OAW) of Oblt. Hans Kummetz, Führer of Jasta 1. The photo was taken at Possanerlo Airfield, Italy in December 1917.
* * * * * * * * * * *Blue skies,
* * * * * * * * * * * * *Dan-San

Dan-San,

are you sure that this is the aircraft of Kummetz?

While I am no expert in markings, I always felt this is most probably the aircraft of Oberleutnant Josef Loeser, Jasta 1 and Jasta 39 (yes, I think in both Jastas). Not originally my idea, but I saw a drawing of that aircraft from a guy in Luebeck, claiming it was Loesers aircraft and (IIRC) also claiming this info came from Bruno Schmaeling. As I was always fascinated by that aircraft, I looked further, and to me it seems highly probable that this is really Loeser´s aircraft. Reasons:

There are 3 photos depicting this aircraft (or some others in the photo) that together give the following picture:

1. Picture 1: Overhead view of Veldes airfield in October 1917. This overhead view, taken from a AH twoseater, is in Vienna´s Kriegsarchiv (Bildarchiv). It is also reproduced on page 214 of the book "Die Albatros (Oeffag) Jagdflugzeuge der kuk Luftfahrttruppen" by Dr. Peter Schiemer. The third aircraft from the left lower corner is clearly the same black and white "Zebra" as the one in the photo above. The photo must have been taken before November 2, 1917, when Jasta 1 (and 31) left that airfield. Therefore it can´t be Kummetz aircraft, as he only arrived at Jasta 1 on November 20, 1917. Loeser actually also is questionable, if we believe the "Jasta Pilots", but there is an obvious mixup of data in "Jasta pilots" (Loeser being at Jastaschule I in November 1917, but also at FlAbt. 40, arriving then from Jasta 1 to Jasta 39 on Dec. 4...).

2. Picture 2: A photo of Jasta 39 from Dr. Volker Koos, as depicted on p. 2 of The Windsock "Albatros Fighters Special". Shows a number of Albatros fighters, including one with vertical light and dark stripes, one with a dark colored fuselage and one with a horizontally striped light and dark fuselage. Finally the aircraft of August Raben, the Jasta Fuehrer. Photo obviously taken before November 1917, when Raben was wounded in combat and passed command to Franz von Kerrssenbrock. Clearly shows the marking on some of the Jasta 39 machines, as indicated above.

3. Photo 3: The photo shown by Jim. The larger version of the same photo shows the "Zebra" together with the same Albatros fighters that are visible in photo 2: one with horizontal light/dark stripes, one with vertical ones, one with the dark fueslage and fin and the white rudder. From this I would derive it shows "Zebra" together with Jasta 39 aircraft.

Alltogether: If photo 1 is correct, the aircraft can not be Kummetz - wrong time. As the same aircraft appears together with Jasta 39 aircraft, ie is shown together both with aircraft of Jasta 1 and Jasta 39, Loeser seems a logic choice, as he transferred from Jasta 1 to take command of Jasta 39 on December 3 (after Kerrssenbrock was KIA) - he may have taken his aircraft with him. Even if the caption of photo 1 is not correct, Loeser appears more reasonable due to the Jasat 39 connection.

No real proof, I think - but the whole thing seems quite logic to me. Then again, as said above, I´m no expert, and there might be some prove to the contrary...

Volker

[Brad]

Very logical Volker... I'm very hesitant to doubt Dan San though.

Brad

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Volker;
I will review my sources and then back to you. you present a very good argument.
Blauer Himmeln,
Dan-San

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Volker:
I have reviewed my data that I made the drawing from.
1. The aerial photograph take at veldes was of Jasta 1. Jasta 1 was based at Veldes from ? September 1917 to 2 November 1917. Jasta 31 and 39 were stationed at other airfields, they were not located at Veldes.
2. Oblt.Kummetz was the Führer to 12 September. On 13 September 1917 Oblt. Otto Deindl became Führer until Oblt. Kummetz until 20 November 1917.
3. At no time did Oblt. Josef Loeser command Jasta 1, so it precludes this machine being his.
4 The possibility is that this machine was flown by Oblt. Otto Deindl???
5. I am going to stick with Oblt. Kummetz for the present.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Hi

I was energized enough by this to spend the last few days trying to find another Alb. DIII(1/72). All I could find is the Pegasas kits. Anyway, is it blue on the bottom?
Beautiful. Still half packed up in boxes, so I cannot find the windsock! Oh, well.
Neat, thanks

Fate