KITS 03/2021
Fokker D.VII (O.A.W.), 20xx/18, Jasta 4, Airfield “La Ferme Puisieux” near Laon, France, August 1918
The photographs documenting the appearance of this aircraft were taken between late July and mid-August 1918. Like “Du doch nicht!!”
one, it was an early production O.A.W. -built example, powered by a Mercedes engine and fitted with an Axial propeller. By this time, Udet
very much preferred flying his Fokker-built D.VII F powered by the BMW IIIa engine, as the power of the unit was substantially higher. Most
likely, this was the reserve plane he flew the day after "Du doch nicht!!" was lost and kept it as a backup plane in case his D.VII F was undergoing maintenance, so it was not ready for immediate use. The fuselage and wings were covered with the four-colour variant of the aircraft
fabric (Flugzeugstoff) that is usually called "Lozenge”. The wing rib tapes of early production O.A.W.-built D.VIIs were supposedly of natural
linen fabric to use up existing stock of unprinted linen material.
Fokker D.VII F, 4253/18, Oblt. Ernst Udet, Jasta 4, Beugneux, France, July 1918
The all-red BMW powered Fokker-built 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
taken from an O.A.W.-built D.VII. Udet flew this D.VII F without the upper cowling to improve the cooling of the engine and ammunition. The
Lo! painting on the fuselage was there. like with all his other planes, to honour his fiancée Eleonor Zink, which he married in 1920.
The famous “Du doch nicht!!” inscription was not present on this aircraft.
36 eduard
INFO Eduard - March 2021