WWI Biplane -- But which one is it?

[SirSwindon]

The attached is a glass slide of a WWI Biplane. It looks very much like a Vickers Recon Biplane but the uniforms don't look British (more French or Austrian). So who can help me identify the biplane?

[franzkait]

Sweindaun ,UK ?

[Aquilius]

Welcome at the Aerodrome, Sir!

Your slide shows a biplane of August Euler, one of the very early pioneers flying in Germany. Euler got the german pilot licence No.1.

Later he instructed the brother of the german emperor Prinz Heinrich von Preußen and his flying school became the most popular among the high society. That could explain the important looking of all the dressed up people in the picture.


The photograph actually presents his most famous pre-war design, the "Type Großherzog" from 1911 that became known as "Gelber Hund" (yellow dog).

With this machine pilot Feriés v. Hiddessen flew the first 'official' air-mail service of the "German Imperial Post" for almost one week in June 1912 connecting Frankfurt/Main, Darmstadt, Worms and Mainz.


I think it´s not impossible to locate the scenery. It may just need a little more research.
The buildings look very sturdy for the new built flying school. Maybe the shot was taken during the air-mail service?


For some other birds of August Euler see: Luftfahrtmuseum August Euler


Cheers

Aquilius

[Aquilius]

Sir Swindon,

unfortunately my websearch on this design wasn´t that succesful, especially in english language.

But to add some details on the aircraft Nr.33 among the the Euler pushers that he developed from the early Voisin types:

It was his frist design that had the elevator in the back and had a yellow covering. The name "Gelber Hund" should became popular when flying student Oberst Ilse shouted a little angry: "Wenn ich dich gelben Hund nur endlich einmal in die Luft bekäme!" (If I only would get you yellow dog in the air finally!)
[could this be translated like this?]

Euler claimed a speed of 154 km/h while other sources quote 120 km/h.
It was powered by a 65 hp Gnome?, span 10 m, surface 25 m²
& flying weight 400 kg.
The bavarian troops bought 6 copies in 1912 but I doubt the use of them in WW1.

(That´s out of my "Encyclopedia" - don´t have all my books on german aviation at the hand now)


In addition to what I told you there are some newer publications (both from August 2008) that may also find the interest of some other fellows around here:

• August-Euler-Flugplatz Darmstadt from Justus von Liebig Verlag Darmstadt; ISBN: 978-3-87390-255-8

According to the author Ulrike Eckstein (not that often heared of a woman researching in that field ) it includes all available information of the Ludwig Alter Werke and the origins of the Deutsche Sommer Flugzeugwerke. But for sure you will find what you need to know about August Euler and his planes.
(nearly 300 pages & over 180 pics for only about 13,- €)

• Abenteuer Gelber Hund by Michael Düsing from ergonomia Verlag Stuttgart; ISBN: 978 3-935089-09-0

A little more concentrated on Euler, 34,50 €
Only both are in german

Maybe someone can recommend if they´re useful? I haven´t had a look in yet.


And who wants to enter deeper to the subject; Eulers bequest is available in digital form at the BUNDESARCHIV - Zentrale Datenbank Nachlässe


Cheers

Aquilius

[SirSwindon]

That gives me all I need to know.

Thank you again for all your help.

[Varese2002]

Very interesting glass plate, do you have an original one? I looked carefully at this glass plate of the Euler Biplane. Comparing this picture with another one of the Euler Biplane gives a difference in the undercarriage.

The Euler on the glass plate has a much higher undercarriage than on another picture. I think this high undercarriage construction gives more ground clearance of the pusher propeller.

The construction of the undercarriage seems to be also slightly different.

Compare the pictures:





Thanks Aquilus for mentioning these two new German books.

Cheers

Kees

[Varese2002]

The same picture is presented here, is pictured in the book of Michael Düsing - Abenteuer Geber Hund.

http://www.luftfahrtgeschichte-darms...Euler-Buch.pdf

Book looks impressive from this blurb, especially as it is noted that Euler designed and built more than 40 types during the years 1908-1923.

I really could not find the book of Ulrike Eckstein, which is so enticingly cheap.

Cheers

Kees

[Aquilius]

Originally Posted by Varese2002

I really could not find the book of Ulrike Eckstein, which is so enticingly cheap.

...
Kees

Here is a link to her homepage: http://www.luftfahrtgeschichte-darmstadt.de

Click on the arrow with „Publikationen“ and scroll down a bit.

As I mentined before the book is not only about Euler. It tells the 100 years story of the airfield at the “Griesheimer Sand”, of which Euler was a big Part.
(It´s probably that cheap because it is supported by the city)

Don´t know how it works to order it abroad, but you can use a german distributeur via internet.

Cheers

Aquilius

--------------------------------------------
edit:

There you´ll also find Michael Düsing's book.
You´re link shows it hosted on the same page.
Have you been on that site?

[Varese2002]

Aquilius, it is depressing not to find a trace in German bookshops of the cheap version of the book of Ursula Eckstein

I only find the much more expensive EUR 31,40 book (which is also Darmstädter Schriftenreihe 94)

August-Euler-Flugplatz Darmstadt. Der Griesheimer Sand, Experimentierfeld für viele Flugpioniere.

Look here for an example.

The same on Eurobuch.com. Probably the very cheap example was in a very limited edition and then a more expensive version was made.

Cheers

Kees

[Aquilius]

I haven´t done a booksearch until now.

You are right, it is offered almost everywhere for more than 30,- €.
The most expensive one you find with amazon - in used condition!!!


But have a look here: Eckstein, Ursula / August-Euler-Flugplatz Darmstadt

prices without shipping are:
12,80 € for Germany
13,20 € for Austria

(there can´t be a big difference for other european countries)


Just, this is only a searching site! You can´t order it directly from there!
They are working with several partner-bookshops.
In the Netherlands there is only one, where you have to pay cash if you´re not a member.

Buchhandlung die weiße Rose
Rozengracht 166, 1016 NK Amsterdam
E-Mail: info@weisserose.nl

You can contakt them, or if you want I can order it for you.


Cheers

Aquilius