RAF_Louvert 101 Posted September 1, 2009 Alrighty then, The second point for the additional info on #25 is all that's left to claim in this photo set. Also, zoomzoom, I don't know that it's all that simple Sir. Cheers! Lou Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luftace 0 Posted September 1, 2009 Work on the prototype D.III started in late July or early August 1916.[1] The date of the maiden flight is unknown, but is believed to have occurred in late August or early September.[1] Following on the successful Albatros D.I and D.II series, the D.III utilized the same semi-monocoque, plywood-skinned fuselage. At the request of the Idflieg (Inspectorate of Flying Troops), however, the D.III adopted a sesquiplane wing arrangement broadly similar to the French Nieuport 11. The upper wing was extended while the lower wing was redesigned with reduced chord and a single main spar. "V" shaped interplane struts replaced the previous parallel struts. For this reason, British aircrews commonly referred to the D.III as the "V-strutter." After a Typenprüfung (official type test) on 26 September 1916, Albatros received an order for 400 D.III aircraft, the largest German production contract to date.[2] Idflieg placed additional orders for 50 aircraft in February and March 1917.[3] The D.III entered squadron service in December 1916, and was immediately acclaimed by German aircrews for its maneuverability and rate of climb.[3] Two faults with the new aircraft were soon identified. Like the D.II, early D.IIIs featured a Teves und Braun airfoil shaped radiator in the center of the upper wing, where it tended to scald the pilot if punctured. From the 290th D.III onward, the radiator was offset to the right. Albatros built approximately 500 D.III aircraft at its Johannisthal factory. In the spring of 1917, D.III production shifted to Albatros' subsidiary, Ostdeutsche Albatros Werke (OAW), to permit Albatros to concentrate on development and production of the D.V.[8] Between April and August 1917, Idflieg issued five separate orders for a total of 840 D.IIIs. The OAW variant underwent its Typenprüfung in June 1916.[9] Production commenced at the Schneidemühl factory in June and continued through December 1917. OAW aircraft were distinguishable by their larger, rounded rudders.[10] Peak service was in November 1917, with 446 aircraft on the Western Front. The D.III did not disappear with the end of production, however. It remained in frontline service well into 1918. As of 31 August 1918, 54 D.III aircraft remained on the Western Front. After the Armistice, Poland acquired 38 series 253 aircraft, as well as several OAW machines, and operated them in the Polish-Soviet War of 1919-20. They were primarily employed in ground attack duties. The Poles thought so highly of the D.III that they sent a letter of commendation to the Oeffag factory. The newly formed Czechoslovakian air force also obtained and operated several Oeffag machines after the war. As for the picture itself: Wreck of a German Albatros D.III fighter at Flanders (Belgium) in 1917. "O.A.W. D.3." is written on the tailplane, identifying this plane as one produced at the "Ostdeutsche Albatros-Werke" at Schneidemühl, Posen, Germany (today Pila in Poland). sourced from: en.wikipedia.org and commons.wikimedia.org Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted September 1, 2009 Very good information on the Alb DIII Luftace, the final point in this round goes to you Sir. And here are the current standings after photo set #7: Olham, 15 points Dej, 13 points Red-Dog, 10 points Rickitycrate, 8 points Bullethead, 5 points Luftace, 5 points Duce Lewis, 3 points Burning Beard, 2 points rhythalion, 2 points JohnGresham, 1 point Shrikehawk, 1 point TonyO, 1 point zoomzoom, 1 point Be ever-vigilant for the next posting. BTW, the Orden Pour le Merite arrived in the mail today and it is beautiful...perfect really. I did notice the seller was mistaken about it having the oak leaf cluster, but since that was reserved for high-ranking field commanders I don't think any of you will miss it as the medal would not be displayed with it in the case of a WW1 aviator, (unless of course he was also a high-ranking field commander at the time he received the honour). Cheers! Lou Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted September 1, 2009 Congrats, Rickitycrate, Red Dog, Zoomzoom and Luftace! Great sportsmanship here; I know, the race is far from being run. It is an honour to fight with you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luftace 0 Posted September 1, 2009 Ditto Olham! I'm having a blast. It really is great to be able to discuss a much loved subject and share information with others of a like mind. Though my friends and I here (military) have a what you could say a 'brother-like' closeness, it is rare to find anyone that enjoys going in depth with such subjects as discussed on this forum. Most are fairly young men (including myself) who are much more interested in fast cars and motorcycles, or doing a good bit of drinking when we get back home. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dej 17 Posted September 1, 2009 Yep, 'grats to all, including you Olham. Grr. I hate it when Lou posts a new batch while I'm in the office... our work firewall is so fussy I can barely access this thread... takes ages. Ah, well. 'Swings and roundabouts' as we say in these parts, I'm damned certain I've been fortunate with the timing some of my answers otherwise... may the best man win! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted September 1, 2009 Yes, I was like your "brothers" when I was younger; I was more fascinated by the Spitfires and Messerschmidts fighting the "Battle of Britain", than of WW1 aircraft. That came only later. But - I remember to have bought a lovely painted assembled AIRFIX S.E.5a in my favourite model shop. One customer had built it and give it only for exhibition; he wanted it back later. But when he saw, how much I wanted it, he sold it to me for only 7,- Deutsche Mark. That must have just covered his costs - no winnings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted September 2, 2009 Well I'm very glad that all of you are enjoying this, I know I certainly am. And each time I host one of these I end up learning far more than I ever have participating in one as a contestant. So really, I'm the winner here, I just don't get a nice shiny medal for it. But one of you will. Cheers! Lou Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted September 2, 2009 Oh, and Dej, I'll see if I can't post a few more of these when you aren't at work. Cheers! Lou Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rickitycrate 10 Posted September 2, 2009 I've already won! No, not the medal. I've won by particpating and learning. Thanks Lou and participants. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted September 2, 2009 You are more than welcome Rickitycrate. And because I know you get the heebie jeebies every time you see I've posted I will justify those feelings for you on this occassion... DING DING DING !!! WILD CARD PHOTO ! The first to correctly identify which aircraft the cockpit shown belongs to, its operational history in the Great War, and its primary claim to fame will be awarded 2 bonus points. You must be spot on with all answers to win. Good Luck! . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rickitycrate 10 Posted September 2, 2009 Handley-Page 0/400 The improved O/400 started to enter service in April 1918,[10] gradually allowing the re-equipment of more squadrons, being used for both support for the ground forces on the Western Front, particlularly during the German Spring Offensive,[11] and for strategic bombing under the control of the Independent Air Force.[12] In service, the O/400s could carry a new 1,650 lb (750 kg) bomb and were deployed in force, with up to 40 aircraft participating in a raid. A single O/400 also served with 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps in the Middle East.[13] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted September 2, 2009 Sorry Rickitycrate, it is not the Handley-Page. But a good guess, and good info on the beast as well. Keep swinging at 'em Sir. Cheers! Lou Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rickitycrate 10 Posted September 2, 2009 I'm no Joe Mauer or Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dej 17 Posted September 2, 2009 Oh, and Dej, I'll see if I can't post a few more of these when you aren't at work. Cheers! Lou Lou, don't change anything on my account. It's worked out fine for the most part. Yesterday was a bit frustrating is all, but I don't think I'd have picked any points up anyhow so no matter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dej 17 Posted September 2, 2009 (edited) Firewall a little more forgiving today... fingers crossed.... Bonus pic is the cockpit of a Vicker Vimy bomber. The Vickers Vimy was a British heavy bomber aircraft of the First World War and post-First World War era. It achieved success as both a military and civil aircraft, setting several notable records in long-distance flights in the interwar period, the most celebrated of which was the first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by Alcock and Brown in June 1919. Design and development Reginald Kirshaw "Rex" Pierson, chief designer of Vickers Limited (Aviation Department) in Leighton Buzzard, designed a twin-engine biplane bomber, the Vickers F.B.27 to meet a requirement for a night bomber capable of attacking targets in Germany, a contract being placed for three prototypes on 14 August 1917. Design and production of the prototypes was extremely rapid, with the first flying on 30 November 1917, powered by two 200 hp (150 kW) Hispano Suiza engines. It was named after the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Owing to engine supply difficulties, the prototype Vimys were tested with a number of different engine types, including Sunbeam Maoris, Salmson 9Zm water cooled radials, and Fiat A.12bis engines, before production orders were placed for aircraft powered by the 230 hp (170 kW) BHP Puma, 400 hp (300 kW) Fiat, 400 hp (300 kW) Liberty L-12 and the 360 hp (270 kW) Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines, with a total of 776 ordered before the end of the First World War. Of these, only aircraft powered by the Eagle engine, known as the Vimy IV, were delivered to the RAF. RAF service By October 1918, only three aircraft had been delivered to the Royal Air Force, one of which had been deployed to France for use by the Independent Air Force. The war ended, however, before it could be used on operations. The Vimy only reached full service status in July 1919 when it entered service with 58 Squadron in Egypt. The aircraft formed the main heavy bomber force of the RAF for much of the 1920s. The Vimy served as a front line bomber in the Middle East and in the United Kingdom from 1919 until 1925, when it was replaced by the Vickers Virginia, but continued to equip a Special Reserve bomber squadron, 502 Squadron at Aldergrove in Northern Ireland until 1929. The Vimy continued in use as a training aircraft, many being re-engined with Bristol Jupiter or Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar radial engines. The final Vimys, used as Target aircraft for searchlight crews remained in use until 1938. Specifications (Vimy) General characteristics * Length: 43 ft 7 in (13.28 m) * Wingspan: 68 ft 1 in (20.75 m) * Height: 15 ft 8 in (4.77 m) * Wing area: 1,330 ft² (123.56 m²) * Empty weight: 7,104 lb (3,222 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 10,884 lb (4,937 kg) * Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII, 360 hp (268.45 kW) each Performance * Maximum speed: 100 mph (161 km/h) * Range: 900 mi (1,448 km) * Service ceiling: 7,000 ft (2,134 m) * Power/mass: 0.07 hp/lb (0.11 kW/kg) Armament * 1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis Gun in Scarff ring in nose and 1 × in Scarff ring in mid-fuselage * 2,476 lb (1,123 kg) of bombs Source: Wikipaedia [EDIT] Removed spurious content (Wiki tags etc.) and added Source attribution [/EDIT] Edited September 2, 2009 by Dej Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Check Six 2 Posted September 2, 2009 Dej, That's worth two points alone just for the wealth of information you supplied us all with, regardless of whether you're right or not Thanks. PS. Have you been looking around for a new RNAS avatar? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dej 17 Posted September 2, 2009 Dej, That's worth two points alone just for the wealth of information you supplied us all with, regardless of whether you're right or not Thanks. PS. Have you been looking around for a new RNAS avatar? All thanks to Wikipaedia. I was a little over-zealous in my cutting and pasting but as Lou hasn't said whether edits are allowed I've not taken out the spurious content. Besides, it takes three minutes to open anything on this forum when I'm in the office. Funny you should ask about the avatar, I was planning on changing it this evening. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted September 2, 2009 (edited) Holy schnikee Dej, you gave all the needed info and then some! It is indeed the cockpit of the Vickers Vimy. The two points are yours Sir. And here are the current standings after this last Wild Card photo: Dej, 15 points Olham, 15 points Red-Dog, 10 points Rickitycrate, 8 points Bullethead, 5 points Luftace, 5 points Duce Lewis, 3 points Burning Beard, 2 points rhythalion, 2 points JohnGresham, 1 point Shrikehawk, 1 point TonyO, 1 point zoomzoom, 1 point Cheers! Lou Edited September 2, 2009 by RAF_Louvert Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red-Dog 3 Posted September 2, 2009 Well done Dej... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zoomzoom 2 Posted September 2, 2009 Hey! I'm on the scoreboard. Bear with me, I'm just learning the rules as of yet. RAF what the heck....are you some secret WWI photo-analyst? Where DO you get all of these? ZZ. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted September 2, 2009 zoomzoom, I'm a ah...time traveller...yeah...from the ah...early part of the last century...that's right...and I've come here to ah...share vital information with the people of your era...yeah, that's it, that's the ticket. Actually, it's all research, research, research. And when this has wrapped up I will be posting a very long list of links to the many websites and archives I used during this contest. Share the wealth I say. Cheers! Lou Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zoomzoom 2 Posted September 2, 2009 Well, very well done. I think we need to be giving YOU a medal for all of this hard work. ZZ. Thanks for makin the place even more fun than it already was. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted September 2, 2009 There you see, Dej: others have the same problem sometimes. I had to work outside Berlin, with no computer connection, and find the "wildcard picture" only now, that it's far too late. I find, that Lou always made sure to post the pics at very different times, to guarantee, everyone has the same chances as much as that is possible. Now, you had yours. Congratulations. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted September 2, 2009 DING DING DING !!! WILD CARD PHOTO ! The first to correctly identify the object shown, who the manufacturer was, and what purpose the small propeller served will be awarded 2 bonus points. You must be spot on with all answers to win. Good Luck! . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
