KITS 01/2021

Fokker D.VIIF, 4253/18, Oblt. Ernst Udet, Jasta 4, Beugneux, France, July 1918

The all-red BMW powered mount of Ernst Udet reached Jasta 4 in late July 1918. Udet flew this plane with great success in August 1918,

being credited with 20 victories in just 20 days. Due to unknown reasons the upper wing of his mount was changed for one coming from an

O.A.W.-built D.VII. Udet, the highest scoring German ace surviving the war, flew this D.VIIF without the upper cowling to improve the cooling

of the engine and ammunition. The Lo! painting on the fuselage was there to honour his fiancée Eleanor Zink, which he married in 1920. The

famous “Du doch nicht!!” inscription was not present on this aircraft.

Fokker D.VIIF, mil. No unknown, Rtm. Karl Bolle, CO of Jasta 2, Lens Mons, France, October 1918

Karl Bolle started his aviation career as the pilot of KG4 and later of Kampstaffel 23, where he was flying with Lothar von Richthofen as his

observer. He was moved to the Jasta 28 during the summer of 1917 and after becoming an ace with five victories, he was promoted to

command the Jasta 2 on February 20, 1918. Bolle was leading this famous unit till the end of the war, his tally counting 36 aerial victories.

On August 28, 1918, he received the Pour le Mérite. After the war he remained active pilot and was appointed Director of the German

Transportation Flying School in 1920. This aircraft of Karl Bolle carried the wide yellow band with white and black outlines and was a typical

mid- production Schwerin built D.VIIF with the BMW IIIa engine and also came from the 4250/18 – 4449/18 production batch.

50 eduard

INFO Eduard - January 2021