Odd thing on Albatros wing...

[Hauksbee 103]

While cruising the 'net this morning, I ran across a flight sim. [by a nameless rival] that had this handle [?] hanging down. I don't see it on 'our' Albatros's, but then, I didn't open them all up in QC, just the D.II, D.III and one of the D.V's. What did it do? Adjust aileron trim?

[Siggi 10]

I think it's for adjusting slats on the radiator.

[Cameljockey 3]

In the movie "The Red Baron" you can see some of the pilots using it. Like Siggi said, I believe it's to adjust the airflow over the radiator to keep the engine at optimum operating temps at high altitude, or during cold weather. IIRC the SPAD had slats in front of the radiator that serve the same purpose.

 

CJ

[Hauksbee 103]

Interesting. Thanks. Did I just not opt for the correct Albatros in QC?

[Cameljockey 3]

I don't recall seeing that on any of the Albs in BH&H, but then again, the old hard drive ain't what she used to be.

 

CJ

[UK_Widowmaker 571]

never seen them before

[Cameljockey 3]

In BH&H the DIII and later Albatros' have a little rod with a loop on the end that represents the mechanism (I reckon).

 

CJ

[Hauksbee 103]

In BH&H the DIII and later Albatros' have a little rod with a loop on the end that represents the mechanism (I reckon).

 

Yes, I saw that and wondered the same.

[Olham 164]

Perhaps there where different handles. This one doesn't have it.

[Dej 17]

Perhaps there where different handles. This one doesn't have it.

 

Crikey! That picture. I didn't know the Addams Family flew for Germany in The Great War!

Edited May 8, 2009 by Dej

[Olham 164]

Hahahahaaa!!! Yeah, in those days, some people looked really strange (perhaps today too?)

[Hasse Wind 46]

Crikey! That picture. I didn't know the Addams Family flew for Germany in The Great War!

 

Maybe his family name is Frankenstein...

[Cameljockey 3]

Or Lurch!

 

CJ

[JFM 18]

D.Va with Daimler Mercedes airfoil radiator.

[Crossbones 1]

Perhaps there where different handles. This one doesn't have it.

 

Gads guys...don't look at him, look at that awesome plane he is leaning against. That bird looks brand new. I can see my own reflection in the finish.

Great photo Olham!

 

Crossbones

[Cameljockey 3]

Here's the rod & ring thingy on an LVG.

 

CJ

[OvS 8]

Here's the rod & ring thingy on an LVG.

 

CJ

 

 

Olham,

 

Got any info on that pic? Pilot, Jasta? It looks like a D.III.

 

Also, keep in mind the RoF guys modeled some of their planes after Reproduction or Restoration planes. The Dr.1 cockpit from Memorial Flight is a good example of that.

 

http://storage.mfa.free.fr/gallery/fokker/int2.jpg

http://storage.mfa.free.fr/gallery/fokker/int31.jpg

http://members.chello.nl/%7Ea.vankan/FokkerDr1_cockpit.jpg

http://www.earlyaviator.com/archive/1a/ima...er_triplane.jpg - no site or flare gun

http://blindkat.hegewisch.net/voss/F1-103-17-02.jpg - no site or flare gun

 

vs RoF

 

http://wwiaircombat.com/pics/displayimage....um=5&pos=13

 

Albatros D.Va

http://www.airminded.net/albdv/mvr_alb.jpg - not there

http://www.airminded.net/albdv/alb_dv_maxim.jpg - not there

http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/w1/goodind5e.jpg - there

http://www.earlyaviator.com/archive/1b/ima...berth_DV_x2.jpg - not there

 

So, as you can see... it's the same problem we have. We choose 1 cockpit for all D.Va models so all of them have the same cockpit, regardless of field modifications, rank...etc. They chose to make the Dr.1 with the tube site, as well as a mounted flare gun, we didn't. They chose to have the sliding grill modification with the handle, we chose the pull-ring.

 

So realistically, they have added things that might have been field mods, or place on planes used by an ace/flight leader (flare gun). We went with a more factory standard.

 

OvS

[Olham 164]

Hi, OvS,

that picture was from this great Photo site:

 

www.flieger-album.de

 

Go to "Photoalben" > Photoalben, diverse

 

This site is rewarding; Sanke cards, aerial photography, pics of crashed and conquered craft etc.

 

Don't know if you had seen this one before:

 

http://www.flieger-album.de/fotoalben2/Fot...11.1917%5D.html

 

Or this picture of Von Schleich:

Edited May 12, 2009 by Olham

[JFM 18]

OvS, those linked Albatros examples are D.Vs. The handle in question was associated with Daimler Mercedes airfoil radiators on the Albatros D.Va. You can see examples in Norman Franks' Albatros Aces of World War 1, pp. 42, 65, 80, 83, 85, and Greg VanWyngarden's Albatros Aces of World War 1 (Part 2), pp. 75, 76, 77, 81.

[Bullethead 12]

This site is rewarding; Sanke cards, aerial photography, pics of crashed and conquered craft etc.

 

Thanks for the link. Here's a great collection of crashes

 

http://www.flieger-album.de/fotoalben2/Fot...nzel/index.html

[OvS 8]

OvS, those linked Albatros examples are D.Vs. The handle in question was associated with Daimler Mercedes airfoil radiators on the Albatros D.Va. You can see examples in Norman Franks' Albatros Aces of World War 1, pp. 42, 65, 80, 83, 85, and Greg VanWyngarden's Albatros Aces of World War 1 (Part 2), pp. 75, 76, 77, 81.

 

Sorry, I don't have those books. Are they on all factory issues D.Va's? We'd love to know. Personally, I've never noticed them on many, but hey, then again, I wasn't looking for them. Was that radiator a factory standard? If you have the info, let's hear it. :)

 

OvS

[Olham 164]

Ont this site, I only found one picture of the "Gisi" craft, where the handle is seen.

 

www.earlyaviator.com

 

Interesting site with loads of pictures, by the way.

 

Edit: More pics with handle. These show best, that it was for the radiator.

Edited May 14, 2009 by Olham

[JFM 18]

Sorry, I don't have those books. Are they on all factory issues D.Va's? We'd love to know. Personally, I've never noticed them on many, but hey, then again, I wasn't looking for them. Was that radiator a factory standard? If you have the info, let's hear it. :)

 

OvS

 

The handles were stock with the Daimler Mercedes radiators but I cannot say that every D.Va made employed that type because there were some 1600+ D.Vas produced and I've not seen photos of them all. But if it's a D.Va and the photo angle is right you normally see the handle; it is common enough to be a hallmark of the D.Va.

 

Do you have NASM's Albatros D.Va, German Fighter of World War I? Interestingly, on page 28 it mentions the handle controlled the radiator shutters (natch). Water temperature could not exceed 70 - 75C and since there was no temp gauge the pilot had to judge temperature by engine sound (it does not describe this exactly, unfortunately). Also, the Albatros throttle was on the control column; the lever on the left side of the cockpit was the spark control handle.

 

Regardless, I still have a devil of a time surviving in those things no matter what handles are there and/or function! They are my favorite fighter and I can't give them up.

[Olham 164]

Regardless, I still have a devil of a time surviving in those things no matter what handles are there and/or function! They are my favorite fighter and I can't give them up.

 

Hey? This man is sympathic to me.

[JFM 18]

Regardless, I still have a devil of a time surviving in those things no matter what handles are there and/or function! They are my favorite fighter and I can't give them up.

 

Hey? This man is sympathic to me.

 

Yes, Olham, I'm an Albatros fanatic! I just don't have enough time to fly them and get them down to the nth degree. I expect to get more time after my current work projects wrap up (although I may sneak in a flight or two late, late tonight).