The 'Zebras'

[Gregvan]

Hello,

Over on our French compatriots' forum there is a thread entitled "The Zebras':

http://pages14-18.mesdiscussions.net...jet_2936_1.htm

I have NO capability to translate French at all, but I believe the main point of the query relates to this: On 24 August 1915, a reconnaissance flight from MF 14 encountered a "German Morane Parasol" and its body (fuselage) was striped vertically in black and white and the rudder was painted horizontally in the German colors.

As Bruno pointed out on that thread, this can only be a reference to a Pfalz Parasol - which was a direct copy of the Morane.

I believe there is little doubt that the MF 14 crew encountered a Pfalz A.I from (Bavarian) Feldflieger-Abteilung 9b from Colmar airfield. Take a look:


And another:


The black/white bands on the fuselage - which were here slightly diagonal but which could also be vertical - were the markings of units in Armee-Abteilung Gaede in 1915. Historian Reinhard Kastner produced a wonderful and well-illustrated article on these markings in "Propellerblatt" Nummer 2, 2001. Note that in the background of the photo just above, you can see an AGO C.I which also displayed the black/white stripes.

Much, much later, of course, Jasta 26 and other fighter units would employ vertical black/white bands on the fuselages of their aircraft from mid-1917 through 1918; I belive some of those may have been called "the zebras" by the French airmen who encountered them. I'd be interested in any accounts of 'zebras' from French or other Allied airmen from 1918.

Best regards,

Greg

[sator]

Nice photos and interesting info, thanks for posting Greg.

[Froggy]

Originally Posted by Gregvan

Hello,

net/pages1418/aviation-1914-1918/zebres-sujet_2936_1.htm[/url]

I have NO capability to translate French at all,

Greg

Greg you are too modest !

In august 1915 MF14 airfield was at Saint Leonard (Vosges) 30 km from Colmar

Here in Properblatt N° 2001 N°2 ,you can see profiles of the 'zebras' squadron
http://www.propellerblatt.de/Standar...01/heft_02.htm

Cordialement
Bruno

[CTP]

Hello
I wrote the post "Zebras" on the French forum "Pages 14-18".
Greg can you contact me. I prepare a "Cahier des As Oubliés de 14-18" (" Forgotten Aces of 14-18) on August to September 1915. I gladly send you the draft.
(please apology for my english)
Claude