Goering's Albatross DIII

DJ · 31 March 2002, 12:31 AM

What were the wing colors of Herman's DIII. Did the top wing have one, or two white chevron's and did the bottom wing, bottom side have a black chevron? Also, Was the radiator centered or offset?

Thanks in advance,

Gregvan · 31 March 2002, 03:35 AM

Dear David,

Happy Easter ! You can find several photos and drawings of Goering's Albatros D.III 2049/16 - which he flew as commander of Jasta 27 in the summer of 1917 - in 'Over the Front' Volume 10, No. 3, Fall 1995, as well as a complete record of Goering's operational flights in the aircraft (in a superb article on Goering by Frank Olynyk).

I should point out that Goering first flew this a/c in Jasta 26 on 24 February 1917, and I believe the wing markings probably originated in its Jasta 26 service.Goering arrived at Jasta 27 to take command on 21 May '17, and he brought 2049/16 with him.

First of all, the radiator was centered; the radiator was only offset from D.III 2200/16 onward.There were two white chevrons on the top wing - I believe they were white chevrons only, with the factory camouflage left between them (though I could be wrong - it could be another dark color). The underside of the bottom wing did indeed have a black chevron on both wings - each 'arm' of the chevron began at the leading edge of the wing root and extended out to connect with the trailing edge at about the 4th rib. After studying the photos, I came to the conclusion that there was also a black "1" on each lower wing underside, just outboard of the chevron. Such numbers were fairly common on Jasta 26 a/c.

The upper surface of the wings were camouflaged in standard fashion, which I believe was probably a three-color camouflage of pale Brunswick green, dark olive green and Venetian red ( aka chestnut brown).

Of course, the fuselage was black and the spinner, nose band, struts, wheel covers and tail were white. A point often missed is the fact that the fin/rudder cross had a narrow black outline around the broad white outline of the cross - does that make sense ?

Hope that is of help.

Greg

Dan_San_Abbott · 31 March 2002, 01:17 PM

DJ:
The upper wing is pale brunswick green to first rib inboard of the left aileron dark olive green to the inboard chevron venetian red to the right wing tip. (Along the trailing edge.
the upper surface of the lower wings, from the left wing tip to 6th rib from the fuselage, along the trailing edge, pale brunswick green and dark green to the fuselage. right lower wing, fuselage to the 7th on the trailing edge, venetian red to the 9th rib pale brunswick green/ to the wing tip dark olive green. The under surface was pale blue.
blue skies,
Dan-San

DJ · 1 April 2002, 03:01 AM

Gentlemen, Thank you once again for your assistance.

1 April 2002, 04:23 AM

Goering was FAT

DJ · 1 April 2002, 05:36 AM

Oh Great Baron, Thank you for sharing your wisdom! :-X :-X

Dan_San_Abbott · 1 April 2002, 07:43 AM

DJ:
David, I failed to mention the camouflage was spray on, so the edges would be diffused.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

DJ · 1 April 2002, 08:03 AM

Dan San, Check your E-mail.

Dan_San_Abbott · 1 April 2002, 04:06 PM

DJ:
* David, I did, and I'll reply off line. *I have a line drawing that is ho-hum, so what I will do is, do it over in color with my latest Alb.D.III drawing. (All the brads are shown!) *It will take two weeks. *Do you have my catalog? *The prices are in there for a colored drawing plus p&h.
* * * * * * * * * * * * Blue skies,
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dan-San