Ernst Udets Fokker DVII Conundrum

[JohnT]

I had been debating with myself about getting a 1/32 Wingnut Wings Fokker DVII to add to the collection for quite some time and with their recent hiatus took the plunge and bought one in case they were no more and I would have missed the bus.  I fancied doing it as the mount of Herr Udet but that boxing was not to be found at the time.  There were plenty of the same kit in the box featuring Herr Gorings DVII F at reasonable prices so I acquired one of those and purchased a set of after market decals from Lifelike with Udets machine as one of the options.

 

I also downloaded the instructions from the Wingnut Wings site with the instructions for Udets aircraft and thats when the trouble started.............................    They dont agree and yet both seem remarkably well researched.  So here is what they say:-

 

Lifelike Decals

 

The plane carried works number 2344.  BMW 111a engine and a Heine propeller.  There are four known photos taken when Udet visited Fuerth airfield and a description in 2 combat reports (August 8, 2018).  Described as a red fuselage with streamers to tailplane.  No mention of the Jasta 4 black nose unit marking of the time nor is that shown in the photos.  They assume then that the entire fuselage is red.  Lower wing in 4 colour lozenge material with rib tapes in same material.  The upper wing is a replacement from the O.A.W. factory.  The bottom of the upper wing is also 4 colour lozenge with pink tapes clearly visible.  But in three known photos of this aircraft no rib tapes are visible on the upper wing surface leading them to conclude the upper wing is painted in a single colour - red like the fuselage.  They note the lack of a wing cross on the leading edge of the upper wing.  One photo clearly shows a relatively small iron cross on the upper wing.    There are many other observations but the preceding is whats important in relation to what Wingnut say

 

 

Wingnut Wings

 

They make the point that Udet flew several different Fokker DVII.  Their model has the aircraft number as 4253/18 also at Jasta 4 which makes me think its a different machine but.........  WNW go on to say theirs is the one he claimed his 2 final victories in September 1918 - a month earlier than the same period in the Lifelike option.  Further WNW say the left aileron and probably the whole top wing is a replacement from Fokker DVII (OAW) 2076/18.  

 

Now how many Fokker DVII's had their Fokker built machine top wing replaced by an OAW unit and flown by Udet in August & September 1918?  Was that sort of wing replacement commonplace?

 

A researcher names Mr Joern Lecksheld has advised both manufacturers with Lifelike also crediting Alex Imrie and Greg Van Wyngarden as helping.

 

The WNW decals also have larger iron crosses on the top wing but in the larger size to the leading edge.  Plus they say the top of the upper wing is lozenge pattern - not a single colour

 

 

So whats a poor WW1 ignoramus to make of it?  My first inclination was we have 2 different aircraft here.  But the replacement OAW upper wing makes me wonder?  

 

Any help and opinions greatly welcome and most appreciated  

 

 

 

 

[Kev The Modeller]

Unless you've already got your base kit, I'd hurry up and buy one, if it's not already too late!  

[JohnT]

32 minutes ago, Kev The Modeller said:

Unless you've already got your base kit, I'd hurry up and buy one, if it's not already too late!  

Thanks Kev. Was first thing I did when the news started to come through 

[melvyn hiscock]

I’ve not looked too deeply Into this but know someone who has and the only comment I’ll make here is that a factory number of 2344 is not the same as an aircraft serial number. Richthofen’s Dr1 425/17 was works no 2009.