Shapeways DV to DIII

**Boney10** · 02-01-2015 06:05

I recently picked up a rather nice painted and decalled Shapeways DVa it was for a pilot I currently do not have so for £8 a bargin for me.
When I got home and checked I saw the named pilot was flying a DIII not a DV, unless somebody can tell me different. So I quickly added a piece of plastic rod to simulate the DIII engine.
What do you think?

Vzfw Walter Reichenback
Jasta 5
Shapeways DVa converted to DIII

**fast.git** · 02-01-2015 07:38

Hey Chris,

I've not concluded a lengthy investigation, but you're correct so far as I can see: the markings on that D.III look like those of a Jasta 5 Albatros D.III (serial 2217/16) in 1917. Pilots included Hans Berr and Josef Mai, in addition to Walter Reichenbach.

I'm still looking for a picture of a Reichenbach's D.V but -- in the mean time -- Osprey's Aviation Elite Unites #26, Jagdstaffel 2 'Boelcke' (von Richthofen's Mentor) claims that the Albatros D.V Reichenbach crashed late in the evening of 8 October 1917 was Albatros D.V 2098/17 and displaying a black fuselage dotted with white.

**Boney10** · 02-01-2015 08:20

Hi Chris, the source I was looking at is Albatross pubs special Jagdstaffel 5 Vol 1
It shows on inside cover Albatross DIII 2217/16 it did belong to both Hans Berr and Joseph Mai, however there is a Number 1 underneath which depicts it moved from No3 hanger, Joseph Mai, to number 1.
Reichenbach crashed this aircraft on 25 July1917. That is the source I used

**fast.git** · 02-01-2015 08:34

Originally Posted by Boney10

Hi Chris, the source I was looking at is Albatross pubs special Jagdstaffel 5 Vol 1
It shows on inside cover Albatross DIII 2217/16 it did belong to both Hans Berr and Joseph Mai, however there is a Number 1 underneath which depicts it moved from No3 hanger, Joseph Mai, to number 1.
Reichenbach crashed this aircraft on 25 July1917. That is the source I used

Interesting. I wonder when Reichenbach switched to a D.V and if it was then that he changed personal livery? Or, was the white-spotted black fuselage D.V (2098/17) another pilot's kite?

**Mike George** · 02-01-2015 09:24

Nice work wish I could work on this small scale.

**Flying Helmut** · 02-01-2015 15:24

Nice looking plane Chris. The paint job and decals look fine to me!
Your engine rod conversion is grand!

One question:-
Should a DIII have a near-vertical rear edge to the rudder, or did late-model DIIIs have the same rounded rudder as the DV/DVa>

**ReducedAirFact** · 02-01-2015 21:10

Originally Posted by Flying Helmut

One question:-
Should a DIII have a near-vertical rear edge to the rudder, or did late-model DIIIs have the same rounded rudder as the DV/DVa>

The rounded rudder was used on some of the late-model D.IIIs produced by the OAW (Ost-deutsche Albatros Werke).

One other difference I look for in the D.III is that the piece housing the tail skid has an almost vertical rear edge; on the D.V it's much more angular. (The Austrian D.III's were angular too.) Also the fuselage sides were flatter on the D.III.