Friedrich (Frigyes) Hefty Photo Album

sszza2 · 20 September 2011, 06:27 AM

I recently aquired from his family a photo album created in the post WW2 period by Friedrich Hefty. I am searching for more information and references on Hefty and was looking for some recommendations from members.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Scott

gustav_novak · 20 September 2011, 10:10 AM

Hallo,

what exactly is needed?
Can provide some info on his victories - ad K Meindl. Some relevant info was published by J C Steiner.
Some stuff is available in German, some in English.
Have almost nothing in Hungarian...

Sorry for a cheeky follow-up. His family lives in the US?

Could you post some photos of FH? Many thanks in advance.

All the best

Mirko

PS Please drop me your e/mail via PM. We can go into more details.

sszza2 · 21 September 2011, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gustav_novak

Hallo,

what exactly is needed?
Can provide some info on his victories - ad K Meindl. Some relevant info was published by J C Steiner.
Some stuff is available in German, some in English.
Have almost nothing in Hungarian...

Sorry for a cheeky follow-up. His family lives in the US?

Could you post some photos of FH? Many thanks in advance.

All the best

Mirko

PS Please drop me your e/mail via PM. We can go into more details.

Mirko,

Thank you for your response. I will pursue the sources/references mentioned. It seems both he and his son were fliers. His son in the Hungarian Air Force and Luftwaffe in WW2. It appears they both immigrated to the US. Here are some quick pics of the FH album. The coat of arms is interesting. And you have to love the high end vinyl he chose and magic marker dedication. Still it is what it is. The group also came with two leather flying helmets made in Budapest and a couple gauges. Uncertain if his or his son's.

Scott

gustav_novak · 21 September 2011, 07:32 AM

Scott,

as far I know, three pieces on/about LFT/SFW "aces" or victories are available:

a) M O´Connor´s book - ISBN 0-912173-03-3, with a chapter on FH (pp 176-181),
b) C Chant - an Osprey book; app 100 pages, ISNB 1841763764
not so many details on FH,
c) K Meindl 8 volume series on A/H victories, listed by date and by fronts - Russian (2), Romanian, and Italian (5) - in German.
It is probably the best source on the topic, but with no particular summary on FH. Haven´t made an index so far...

The link below gives a flavour on the stuff:
Sonderdrucke

J C Steiner published a list of pilots, who received a "Feld pilot" badge. The list of pilots with a diploma from A/H Aero-Club is availble as well.

J C Steiner also published a book - Heldenwerk 1914_1918 with two pages on FH - in German.

Hope will have an opportunity to scan those two pages for you soon...

In any case let me know what info you need.

Even though I am interested predominatly in WWI plus a couple years later, could you be more specific on the album - pagination, nos of snaps.
I guess you got a real treasure!

Mirko

Kirk R. Lowry · 21 September 2011, 07:50 AM

Bonjour Scott et Mirko aussi!

I doubt that there is a better source of information in English about Friedrich Hefty than the biography in Air Aces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire 1914-1918 by Dr. Martin O'Connor (as noted by Mirko). A brief biography and a detailed listing of claims, confirmed and unconfirmed, of the ace is included in Above The War Fronts by Norman Franks, Russell Guest and Gregory Alegi though. You certainly are fortunate to have such a trove Scott!

Salut!
Kirk

Kirk R. Lowry · 21 September 2011, 08:02 AM

... sorry mes amis ... a doubling of the post ...

Bonjour Scott et Mirko aussi!

I doubt that there is a better source of information in English about Friedrich Hefty than the biography in Air Aces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire 1914-1918 by Dr. Martin O'Connor (as noted by Mirko). A brief biography and a detailed listing of claims, confirmed and unconfirmed, of the ace is included in Above The War Fronts by Norman Franks, Russell Guest and Gregory Alegi. Albatros D.II & D.III Oeffag by Mgr. Petr Aharon Tesar does make reference to Hefty as well.

You certainly are fortunate to have such a trove Scott!

Salut!
Kirk

sszza2 · 22 September 2011, 06:17 AM

Gustav and Kirk,

Thank you for your help. There are approximately 80 pics total in the album covering FH's WW1 aviation career. The vast majority are pics of various Austrian marked fighters, bombers and sea planes.

I will post some pics of the flying helmets and instruments. Based on a cursory look I am uncertain if WW1 or WW2 vintage or both.

Best,

Scott

gustav_novak · 22 September 2011, 08:12 AM

Hallo,

enclosed please find the above mentioned piece authored by J C Steiner.
Sorry for the quality of the copies. Sometimes the output is not as planned....

All the best

Mirko

Barrett · 24 September 2011, 08:05 AM

Gustav and Kirk beat me to it. We published Marty's book at Champlin Museum Press in the 80s and I think it's still printed by Flying Machines Press. Otherwise it's certainly available used from Amazon. Marty was absolutely devoted to the subject of A-H aces and aviation, and spared no effort. Thank goodness, because probably no one else was going to do so.

sszza2 · 27 September 2011, 07:28 AM

Some additional photos of items that came with the albums. Uncertain if flight helmets are WW1 or WW2? Will say though that one looks quite like what FH is wearing in a photo.

Scott