I looked for an appropriate thread to post this, but decided I would start this new one as a resource for anyone who, like myself, hopes to do some repaints and create a Jasta Heidemann someday in honor of this fabulous book and movie! Of course, there are a number of disparities between the book (Bantam Books paperback) and the movie -- which can be viewed as maddening variation or a gateway to artistic license. This thread will try to present those differences in order to allow creators to make their own choices. I took notes from the book and screenshots from the movie -- please let me know if I've goofed anywhere!
There are some 7-lozenge decals (movie appropriate) and cards in the Files section. Also, much Internet info, of course, and this was a great read regarding the movie and planes for it:
http://donhollway.com/bluemax/
Jasta Heidemann could creatively be a mix of Albatros (p 9-10 of book), Pfalz, and Fokker Dr.I and D.VII planes. I will probably choose some Albatros D.III and D.Va and the Pfalz D.III (not particularly "out of date" but am unsure what model is best, plus this is suitable for gameplay).
Stachel's planes:
Pfalz: in the movie Stachel begins with his famous "out of date Pfalz." On p. 28 of the book he begins with a Pfalz, designation 4201/17, as a new pilot since the Albatros go to "proven first-class men." In the movie his Pfalz is 7-lozenge camo; in the book p.28 it is a biplane, matte-gray everywhere with black/white Iron Crosses on fuselage, rudder, and wings.
Fokker Dr.I: in the movie there is the famous scene where he and Willi fly under the bridge. It's also 7-lozenge camo. I find no evidence Stachel flew a Dr.I in the book.
Fokker D.VII: In the move Stachel appears to retain his Dr.I until his famous test-flight of the "new monoplane." In the book he is obsessed with getting his hands on one of the 5 D.VIIs coming to the Jasta (p. 130 possible distribution to Heidemann, Braun, Meuller, Heummel, and possibly Willi). After getting his D.VII it is painted jet-black all over. For a brief time it has an expletive in English in large white letters on the top wing in an effort to enrage opponents, supposedly "F**K YOU" from the description (p. 140-41), but since he had pissed off the ground crew and did not know English, it was painted as "**** ME". This is shortly removed (p. 165) when he's taunted as the "Men's Room Ace" by English airmen since the phrase is appropriate for the bathroom wall (p. 158).
Jasta Heidemann roster (book):
The Jasta has a strength of 13, on paper it should be 18 (p. 26).
rookies:
Tallman
Dietrich (Pfalz p 75)
Fritzinger
Bruno Stachel (Pfalz -> D.VII)
vets:
Otto Heidemann (Albatros -> D.VII)
Karl Fabian (green Albatros p 56)
Willi von Klugermann (Albatros p 131)
Braun (Albatros -> D.VII)
Meuller (balloon specialist) (Albatros -> D.VII p 137)
Heummel (Albatros - D.VII)
"so-so"
Ulrich ("only an acting officer")
Kunkel
Schneider
replacements (p.130)
Hochschild
Nagel
Jasta Heidemann roster (movie):
Tim (Flying Helmut) points out the preponderance of Oberleutnants!
Otto Heidemann
Ltn v. Klugermann
OLtn. Heidt.
OLtn Fabian
OLtn Lindorf
Ltn. Schurabe or Schwabe
Ltn. Koch
Ltn. Bauer
Obtn Becker
Ltn Auber
Ltn Kunz
Ltn Fuchs
Ltn Stachel
Supporting pics from the movie. Enjoy!
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