Olham 164 Posted January 16, 2011 This field near the railwaystation Böblingen seems to have been built around 1914, for the training of German military aviators. Unfortunately, there seems to be no English version. But the photos alone are worth it! Enjoy! http://flughafenbb.wordpress.com/militarflughafen/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hasse Wind 46 Posted January 16, 2011 Great pics, I've never seen any of them before. They even had my favourite DFW's there! The others seem to be some old Albatros B's and such. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted January 16, 2011 The website looks like being supported by Daimler, somehow - at least with pictures. The Daimler factory at Sindelfingen would probably not exist today, had they not built their early training field there. In the years 1914 and 1915, there was a growing request made by the military, for aviators. The big German companies built such learning & training fields. The AEG had one in Döberitz, and I wouldn't be asthonished to read, that Siemens also had their own field. Kurt Jentsch describes that early learning phase he went through in 1915. He was at the airfield Döberitz. A good read, by the way. In Berlin-Staaken huge halls were constructed for building Luftschiffe ("Zeppelins"). When it became obvious, that the enemy built better fighters, able to bring the "Zeppelins" down, the same company built the gigantic Staaken Großflugzeuge. After the war, the halls were used by Fritz Lang for his film "Metropolis". See here: http://geierwally.info/Staaken/2.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DukeIronHand 8 Posted January 16, 2011 Olham, You are the king of finding cool historical gems...keep up the great work! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted January 16, 2011 Thanks, Duke! Maybe I sometimes "stumble" over such things, cause I often use German search words and so may find other sites than English searchers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
von Baur 54 Posted January 16, 2011 The image at the bottom that says "Das Propellerblatt" is a link to a pair of publications with more photos. Worth a look, even if you can't speak German. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted January 16, 2011 Hey, I had actually overlooked that, von Baur; thanks! "Das Propellerblatt" is a German magazine made by enthusiasts about the aviation from 1900 - 1920. I clicked on "Kontakt" and saw the members - and I recognise Michael Schmeelke, the man who had compiled the great booklet "Das Kriegstagebuch der Jasta 12", after finding and working with one of the Jasta's members, Viktor Schobinger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carrick58 23 Posted January 16, 2011 Wow, What little Gems Great work Herr Olham Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted January 17, 2011 . Outstanding website Olham, thanks for sharing! . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
