Need tech Assistance Ref. Fokker E-III

[Roadhog]

Dear Forum mates, I have begun writing my WWI aviaition novel entitled The Wraithes of Flanders and need some technical assistancce. Since this is where most of the group's "tech heads" hang out, I thought that I'd come here and ask for your assitance. I have done a wealth of research and I want to get this right.

Hence, I am coming to you and asking you to read and critque a critical portion of my WWI book enclosed in two parts of the Books and Magaines portion of the Forum. I am having trouble figuring out the answers to some of the technical questions. For example:

Could Erich have spotted the French engine with the engine cowling still on?

Would the cowling had to have been removed for him to get to the fuel line?

Could he have accessed the fuel line while standing beneath the plane instead of using a makeshift ladder?


I respect your expertise and don't want to make any dumb mistakes that can be easily avoided with the right help. So fire away, you can't hurt my feelings. Thanks, Scott Price, a.k.a. Roadhog

[YavorD]

Originally Posted by Roadhog

...

Could Erich have spotted the French engine with the engine cowling still on?

Would the cowling had to have been removed for him to get to the fuel line?

Could he have accessed the fuel line while standing beneath the plane instead of using a makeshift ladder?


...

Hi Scott
I am not an expert on Fokker E.III but nevertheless I will try to give an answer.

Could Erich have spotted the French engine with the engine cowling still on?

Yes, significant details are clearly visible. There is another problem. How many people not particularly familiar with Le Rhone, Gnome and Oberursel can recognize such details without reading manufacturer plates?

Would the cowling had to have been removed for him to get to the fuel line?

No. Access hatch on the right-hand-side should be used in order the inspect engine back side and part of the fuel line. One may need some instruments in order to open this access hatch, but I can not confirm this. Access from the cockpit can help too.

Could he have accessed the fuel line while standing beneath the plane instead of using a makeshift ladder?

I do not know. Fuel tank is behind the pilot seat. I do not think the fuel line can be inspected from below, but I can not confirm this statement.

Regards,
Yavor

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Roadhog:
1.The engine manufacturers plates are visible om the front of the engine crankcase, which would identify the engine manufacturers and engine model, French or German.
2. The fuel line would be accessible from the cockpit, right side and bottom access doors. The right side door is opened by a ring pull, the bottom door is secured with the Fokker half wing nut. The bottom door is accessible from outside and underneath the Fok.E.III.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[Roadhog]

Dear sir, Thank you. I think I have a great story to tell and I don't want small technical mistakes to ruin it for experts such as yourself. VR, Scott

[Roadhog]

Thanks to everybody who took the time to read the short piece of my novel down in the Books and Magazines portion of the Forum. I have gotten a lot of help with the data I used in the text. Anybody slse want to take a stab at what I have written?

If not, thanks again, I have about four chapters written so far and will post more of the flying stuff in the future. As I told Dan, while my father was a pilot, all that I know about flying an Albatos D-III comes from Ernest K. Gann and his books. VR, Scott Price "Memento mori."