World War I German aircraft in Worcester

G53, C799/17 56 Sqn near Armentieres.

I have three volumes of Aircraft Archive ‘Aircraft of World War One’ (Argus Books) featuring the excellent drawings of Ian R Stair. The pages devoted to the aircraft in question show several different photos of aircraft of the type stating that it was ‘the most widely used two-seater during the last two years of the war’.

It also shows an example in British hands – not the one in the OP as it has a different paint scheme and still has its engine – stating that it was shot down by Rhys David of 56 squadron on 12th July 1917 and attributing the photo to H Woodman.

The source of the information is not stated, but it does offer some hope that there could possibly be a full list somewhere Or at least that there might have been in 1989 when the books were first published.

Robin

Was looking to see if there were any captured DFW C.Vs listed as being displayed in Britain but not coming up with much. Is there a definitive listing anywahere for aeroplanes captured during the Great War?

I have a copy of the Midland Counties Publications British Military Serials 1878-1987 (compiled by Bruce Robertson) which gives information on some of the airframes either acquired in complete or near complete condition through being shot down or mechanical problems, to intelligence reports on wreckage found and usually recovered around the frontline.

First is the ‘G’ Series (starting at G10 – G1-9 apparently being allocated retrospectively although they are not listed here) and gives dates acquired (G10, Albatross GIII D1990/16, 13/2/1917 through to G167, LVG, 11/4/1918 engine only salvaged) and a little info.

There is also the ‘XG’ Series, apparently so named because it was an eXtra G series and allocated retrospectively to aircraft or remains held in Britain (XG1, Albatross formerly RFC serial A375, possibly arrived in UK 20/4/1916 through to XG14 unidentified wreckage held at Islington with no date) so possibly the missing nine airframes from the G series.

Then there is the ‘AB’ Series – all Gothas – allocated to German bombers brought down in Britain (starts at AB2, brought down 5-6/12/1917, through to AB9, shot down 19/5/1918).

The ‘AG’ Series was similar to the ‘G’ Series, except it was compiled in Italy. ‘AG’ denoted Austro-Hungarian and German… (AG1, DFW, 12/1917 to AG8, AEG shot down 20-21/2/1918)

Finally there is the ‘G/HQ’ and ‘G/Bde’ series. When the RFC became the RAF each brigade was given responsibility for reporting aircraft shot down in their sectors (example, G/5Bde/2 was allocated to Fokker Dr1 425/17, 21/4/1918 – von Richthofen’s machine) but there is an awful lot of ‘wreck not recovered’, ‘presume wreck found’, ‘wreck burnt out’ with the odd ‘wreck destroyed be shelling’. There might be only around 130-odd of them, which could suggest that any and every wreck found was allocated a number.

BUT… Not every captured aeroplane was covered by the above series: a Friedrichafen FF33F seaplane (#536) was captured in the Gallipoli area and flown for a period from HMS Ark Royal out of Mudros, 5/1917. A few that were in an airworthy condition were allocated serials in the standard serial range – A374-5, 2x Albatross (one mentioned above), A3201 a Fokker. Yet there must have been some captured much earlier in the war that either my cursory glance through the book hasn’t found or never made it to the register.

Anyone know?

Regarding the original post…”Fokker” is everyone’s generic name for a German WWI fighter…the same way that any UK WWII fighter is a Spitfire.

Definitely a DFW C.V.

Agreed it’s a DFW C V – minus Benz Bz IV engine.
One of the types that I keep looking at for a RC model – because it hasn’t been done to death!

Robin

Thanks for the replies.
Not a type I am familiar with, must look it up.

DFW CV. Served from 1916 to the wars end. Peter M Grosz described it as “one of the truly great aeroplanes of the Great War.

John

I think that would be a lot of effort for little reason. Why constrcut a mongrel plane when you could just use one of the many captured aircraft? And the type looks obsolete for 1918 so there is little to be learned so why not parade it about?

Also going back the the DFW C.V. The Aviatik licence built version was also known as the DFW C.V (Av) as well as the Aviatik C.VI.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys!
Could it be possible that this is not a complete aircraft, but a composite of captured parts?
Just a thought.
If the date on the photo is correct, then I’m guessing it would be being used to raise funds for the war effort, and could it have been put together to form a generic German aircraft?
As i say, just a thought…….

According to Putnam’s the Aviatik C.V was gull winged.

My guess (leading on from your suggestion) is a DFW C.V (The licence built version being the Aviatik C.VI)

Upper decking, Wings and fin/rudder wrong. Could be an Aviatik CV

The struts between upper wing and fuselage are too short and are of different design.
Its not a LVG C.VI

LVG C.VI, I think

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The fin/rudder shape seems right. I didn’t realise the aircraft in the original shot appears to be missing its engine.

AEG C.IV maybe?

Could be, mind you, look at the tail, looks like the LVG one, could be wrong?

AEG C.IV maybe?

LVG C.VI, I think