An Apology and Explanation

Due to a series of accidents beyond my control I had experienced some down time on my domain. For the first time in 12 years of uninterrupted service All my sites were down due to a severe storm and the damage it wrought led to an 18 hour blackout. Because of an act of nature the graphic portion of this blog was unavailable.

Things are now back to normal and I hope it stays that way for the foreseeable future. Thank you for your patience and I hope there was a minimal amount of inconvenience. I will have a new post up as soon as possible.

Germany - 1918 - Zeppelin-Lindau CS.I

With a Little Help From my Friends!

One of the joys of illustrating the past is when friends set me down a new path to help bring rare birds to life. As stated previously I have been working on a project with a friend and fellow blogger, Gary C. Warne. He asked me if I had a profile for another plane flown in his new book, Bloodied Red Star. I checked and found I had started a master file for the plane. Rare was not good enough, Gary wanted an even rarer version of the prototype with the front mounted radiator. Luckily he had photos which made life easier. Once again we brought to life another rare bird.

If you have not read Gary's blog it is worth a visit. Follow his blog and read all about the latest developments and solid articles on Aviation.

The Shape of Things to Come: Zeppelin-Lindau CS.I

As the final months of World War One rolled on aviation development reached a new height. The last gasp race for military supremacy would establish a new vocabulary for aircraft design. The echos of this period influence the world of aviation design for decades to come.

Zeppelin-Lindau (Dornier) CS.I s/n 8502 - 1918

This is the prototype of the Zeppelin-Lindau CS.I. The drawing shows the fuselage mounted "ear-style" radiators. and bulbous engine fairing. The camouflage is a three color marine hexagonal scheme. The rudder shows the structure of the wooden framing used to provide rigidity.

Zeppelin-Lindau CS.I Front mounted radiator

This example shows the front mounted radiator version. The rounded engine fairing is gone and the radiator is similar to the type used on the Zeppelin-Lindau Dornier D.I The finishing scheme is the same as used on the prototype.

Short Overview of the Zeppelin-Lindau CS.I

This experimental two-seat seaplane was designed By Claude Dornier at Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH. Construction began in 1918. It was of all-metal construction except for the fabric-covered wing and cruciform tail surfaces. Ailerons were fitted with Flettner-type servos.

Armament consisted of 2 × forward-firing 0.312 in (7.92 mm) "Spandau" LMG 08/15 machine guns controlled by the pilot, and 1 × 0.312 in (7.92 mm) trainable Parabellum MG14 machine gun for observer. The machine was fitted with an Benz Bz IIIbo 8 cylinder liquid cooled V engine, 195 hp (145 kW). . The top speed of the Zeppelin-Lindau CS.I was 93.75 mph (150 kmh). Both nose and side radiator installations were tested.

References

1. Zeppelin-Lindau (Dornier) CS.I(2012, August 10). In Myflyingmachines. Retrieved 22:34, August 11, 2012, from http://flyingmachines.ru/Site2/Crafts/Craft30303.htm
2. Gray, Peter; Thetford, Owen (1962). German Aircraft of the First World War (First edition ed.). London: Putnam.

Germany - 1918 - LVG C.VI

Out With the Old and In With the New!

I am still busy working on a new series of existing profiles based on newly made master files. I have been alternating between German two seat and British pusher aircraft. Today I will continue with German aircraft, constructed by LVG.

The Long Lived LVG C.VI

As the war entered it's last days aviation design was becoming more science than art. Well tested designs which were meant for combat in the Great War fought for newly formed fledgling air corps over the skies of Eastern Europe. Many of these designs slowly made their way into the world of civil aviation and served well into the next decade.

Germany 1918

German LVG C.VI s/n 1510 - 1918

This example features a varnished wood fuselage and metal forward section. The wings and tail plane are covered in 5 color camouflage fabric. Dark on the top surfaces and light on the bottom surfaces. Balkan crosses are on the fuselage, rudder , the right and left sides of top upper wing surface and crosses on the bottom lower wing surface.A white stylized six-sided shooting star and the number 4 are located below the cockpit and observer position. The exhaust pipe is the curved split flow type.

Poland 1919

LVG CVI, Polish Air Force, 8 Squadron s/n 22 - 1919

This Polish LVG C.VI has been painted in a common two color pattern. The wings and tailplane is varnished linen on the lower surfaces. I am not sure about the upper wing surfaces. I assume the wings are the same brown used on the fuselage. The Polish are the bordered variety. They are positioned in the standard 2+2 pattern. There are several notable details. The observer's gun is is a ring mounted Lewis gun. The chimney-like exhaust pipe gives it a distinct look.

Lithuania 1919

LVG C.VI Oro Laivynas (Lithuanian Air Fleet) s/n 9092/18 Kaunas -1919.

Eight new C.VI's were supplied by Germans on 27th February 1919. This aircraft took part in combat along at Polish front in March of 1919. The aircraft was piloted by German mercenary.

A Short Overview of the LVG C.VI

LVG C.VI. (2012, July 1). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

LVG C.VI was a German two-seat reconnaissance and artillery spotting aircraft used during World War I.

The aircraft was designed by Willy Sabersky-Müssigbrodt and developed by Luft-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft (LVG) in 1917. The C.VI was a further development of the C.V, which Sabersky-Müssigbrodt had made for his former employer DFW. It was lighter, smaller and aerodynamically refined, although its fuselage seemed more bulky. It was a biplane of mixed, mostly wooden construction. It featured a semi-monocoque fuselage, plywood covered. Rectangular wings of wooden and metal construction, canvas covered. Upper wing of slightly greater span, shifted some 10 in (25 cm) towards front. Vertical fin plywood covered, rudder and elevators of metal frame canvas covered, stabilizers (tail planes) of wooden frame canvas covered. Straight uncovered engine in the fuselage nose, with a chimney-like exhaust pipe. Two-blade Benz wooden propeller, 9.45 ft (2.88 m) diameter. Flat water radiator in central section of upper wing. Fixed conventional landing gear, with a straight common axle and a rear skid. Aircraft were equipped with a radio (Morse send only); transmissions were by means of an antenna which could be lowered below the aircraft when needed. The crew had parachutes and heated flying suits. A total of 1,100 aircraft of the type were manufactured.

Most LVG C.VIs were used by the German military aviation in last operations of World War I, mostly on Western Front, for close reconnaissance and observation.

After the war, Deutsche Luft-Reederei (DLR) used several C.VIs to provide mail and passenger transport service. The Polish Air Force used several aircraft during Polish-Soviet war (the first was left by the Germans, another was completed from parts in 1920, and several were bought abroad). Suomen ilmailuliikenne Oy purchased two C.VIs from a Swedish airline in 1923. The company went bankrupt in 1922, but would be a predecessor to Aero O/Y, in turn a predecessor of Finnair. The Finnish Air Force purchased two aircraft. One was destroyed in a spin in Santahamina in 1923. The other was used until the end of 1924. Several (at least eight) were used by Lithuania, two last ones survived until 1940. Three were used in Czechoslovakia, two in Switzerland (1920-1929), several in the USSR.

Today, there are three surviving C.VIs. One is on display at the RAF Museum in Hendon, one at the Brussels Air Museum in Belgium and the one at the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace in Paris

References

1. LVG C.VI. (2012, July 1). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:20, July 16, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=LVG_C.VI&oldid=500140488
2. Heinonen, Timo: Thulinista Hornetiin - Keski-Suomen ilmailumuseon julkaisuja 3, Keski-Suomen ilmailumuseo, 1992, ISBN 951-95688-2-4
3. Krzysztof Choloniewski, Wieslaw Baczkowski: Samoloty wojskowe obcych konstrukcji 1918-1939. Tomik 2 (Barwa w lotnictwie polskim no.7), WKiL, Warsaw 1987, ISBN 83-206-0728-0 (Polish language)
4. Lewis, Michael: 1914-18 Connections website. Restoration of Brussels Air Museum LVG CVI

Germany - 1917 - LVG C.V

All Work and No Play Makes Will...

Since I last posted things have been hectic. I just got completed a series of profiles for the book project I wrote about earlier and hope to be able to share them when the time is right. Site revisions and working up new profile masters and insignias, etc has been keeping me busy. I got sidetracked on a bit of engine building. Slowly I will have made a new set of detailed engines I can insert into the profile and dial in the size. It will help when doing types where only the engine is changed.

My latest profiles have been of LVG aircraft. I have saved posting the best types for last. In either numbers built, success, number of nations using them and length of service. The Late C class LVG aircraft were all these things.

Luftverkehrsgesellschaft m.b.H. (L.V.G. or LVG) was a German aircraft manufacturer based in Berlin-Johannisthal, which began constructing aircraft in 1912, building Farman-type aircraft. The company constructed many reconnaissance and light bomber biplanes during World War I.

The raid on London in 1916 was conducted by one LVG C.IV. It dropped its bombs near London Victoria station, but was shot down by French anti-aircraft gunners on its way home.

German Empire

LVG C.V s/n C.9730/17 - 1917

Besides the serial number little is known of this example. The colors are conjectural and based on a excellent profile done by Bob Pearson in 2000 for the L.V.G. C.V Datafile.

Polish Air Force

LVG C.V Poland 1920

I have no solid information on this planes assignments or history. The color scheme was often used on this aircraft type. I have not sen a top view and at the moment thinking the upper wings are dark green to match the varnished linen on the lower wings. I would also assume the simple unbordered red and white check insignia are prominent on the top upper wing surface.

LVG C.V s/n 9667/17 - 1917

The profile is based on this LVG C.V when it served in unknown German training unit in France during the Summer and Autumn of 1918. While assigned to the International Contact Regiment, RKKVF, it flew the first Soviet international flight during the period of April12th through the 15th in 1918.The Russian pilot Khodorovich flew from Vinnitsa to Budapest. It was a 1062 km flight lasting a total of 8 flying hours.

A Short Overview of the LVG C.V

From Wikipedia, LVG C.V, "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LVG_C.V"

The LVG C.V was a reconnaissance aircraft produced in large numbers in Germany during World War I. It was a conventional two-bay biplane design of its day, with unstaggered wings of equal span and tandem, open cockpits for the pilot and observer. The ailerons, fitted only to the upper wing, featured aerodynamic balances that extended past the wingtips. The fuselage was a semi-monocoque construction skinned in wood.

Following the war, some C.Vs were used as civil transports, while some 150 machines captured by Polish forces were put to use by the Polish army.] Other post-war users included Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia; together operating about 30 aircraft.

References

1. From Wikipedia, LVG C.V, "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LVG_C.V"
2. Grosz, Peter M. "LVG C.V. Windsock Datafile 71": Berkhampstead: Albatross Productions. (1998).
3. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing.
4. Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). "Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation". London: Studio Editions.
5. "World Aircraft Information Files". London: Bright Star Publishing.

Germany - 1916 AEG C.IV

Out With the Old, In With the New.

Part of my daily routine is looking over my profiles to see which ones annoy me enough to jump into action. Work I did years ago and had served well enough is no longer good enough. Sooner or later the axe will fall and the old is replaced with something less annoying for the moment.

The Stodgy but Dependable AEG C.IV

AEG C.IV s/n, C4762 - 1917

This example is sporting the mauve and green scheme with blue under surfaces. The crosses are bordered and the serial numbers are painted on the tail fin.

AEG C.IV s/n 2, C6674 - 1917

This is an example of the German brown and green scheme with blue under surfaces. The crosses are displayed on a white field as above the serial numbers are painted on the tail fin.

A Short History of the AEG C.IV

The AEG C.IV was a two-seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft produced by Allgemeine Elektrizitats-Gesellschaft (AG). The design was based on the C.II, but featured a larger wingspan and an additional forward-firing LMG 08/15 Spandau-type 0.312 in (7.92 mm) machine gun.

The C.IV was a conventional biplane. The wings featured and equal span upper and lower wing assembly with double bays and parallel struts. The forward portion of the fuselage was contoured , producing a n aerodynamic look while the rest of the body maintained a box-like appearance. Performance was good for the time with a top speed of 98 miles per hour with a service ceiling of 16,400 feet.

The aircraft entered active service during the spring of 1916. By June of 1917, no fewer than 150 examples were operating along the Western Front .

The AEG C.IV primarily served as reconnaissance aircraft from 1916 onwards though it also served as a bomber escort and saw service with the German air service until the end of the war. The design proved to be seriously under-powered for the bomber escort role. Nevertheless, the C.IV was easily the most successful of AEG's World War I B- and C-type reconnaissance aircraft, with some 400 being built and remaining in service right up to the end of the war.

A variant, the C.IV.N was designed specifically as a prototype night bomber in 1917, with the Benz Bz.III engine used in other C-types and a lengthened wingspan. Another variant, the C.IVa, was powered by a 180 hp (130 kW) Argus engine.

C.IV aircraft saw service with the Bulgarian Air Force and the Turkish Flying Corps.

References

1. From Wikipedia AEG C.IV, "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AEG_C.IV"
2. The Great War Flying Museum http://www.greatwarflyingmuseum.com/aircraft/germany/aeg_civ.html
3. Axelrod, Alan. "World War I". Indianapolis: Macmillan USA, Inc, 2000.
4. Sharpe, Michael (2000). "Biplanes, Triplanes, and Seaplanes". London: Friedman/Fairfax Books. p. 14.
5. Bullock, David L. Allenby's "War: The Palestine-Arabian Campaigns 1916-18". London: Blandford Press, 1988.
6. Cron, Hermann. "Imperial German Army 1914-18". Solihull, West Midlands, UK: Helion & Company, 2002.
7. Flanagan, Brian P.; Smith, Frank; and Raidor, Lonnie. "The Great War 1914-1918 - Chronology of Events of World War I: Cross and Cockade (US)", various volumes and issues covering the period 1916 to 1918. Cross and Cockade (US).
8. Franks, Norman; Frank Bailey, and Rick Duiven "Casualties of the German Air Service 1914-1920". London: Grub Street, 1999.
9. Franks, Norman; Frank Bailey, and Russell Guest. "Above the Lines". London: Grub Street, 1998.
10. Groschel, Dieter H. M, "Ein Verlust der bayerischen Flieger-Abteilung 304 an der Palästina-Front 1918", Das Propellerblatt Nummer 7, 2003.
11. Groschel, Dieter H. M. and Div Gavish. "Rudolf Holzhausen - Weltkriegsflieger, Dipolmat, und Historiker". Das Propellerblatt Nummer 9, 2004.
12. Grosz, Peter M. "Windsock Datafile 67 AEG C.IV". Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK: Albatros Publications, Ltd., 1998.
13. Imrie, Alex. "Pictorial History of the German Army Air Service 1914-1918". Chicago: Henry Regnery Company, 1973.
14. Hoeppner, Ernest, General von. "Germany's War in the Air". Nashville, TN: The Battery Press, 1994.
15. Nicolle, David. "The Ottoman Army 1914-18", Osprey Men-at-Arms Series No. 269. London, UK: Osprey Publications, Ltd 1994.
16. Nikolajsen, Ole. "Pilot Fazil Bey Turkish Aviation Hero, Over the Front Volume 22 No. 3". Journal of the League of World War I Aviation Historians, 2007.
17. Perrett, Bryan. "Megiddo 1918: The Last Great Cavalry Victory", Osprey Campaign Series No. 61. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publications, Ltd 1999.
18. Rottgardt, Dirk. "German Armies' Establishment 1914/18", Volume 4: German Forces in the Middle East. West Chester, Ohio: The Nafziger Collection, Inc., 2007.
19. Sanders, Liman, General von. "Five Years in Turkey". Nashville, TN: The Battery Press, 2000.
20. Shores, Christopher; Norman Franks, and Russell Guest. "Above the Trenches. A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Forces 1915-1920". London: Grub Street, 1990.
21. WWI Aero, volume 107 (for C Types), Dec 1985
22. Zankl, Reinhard. "Deutsche Flieger-Einheiten 1914-1918": Folge 3 - Flieger-Abteilungen. Das Propellerblatt Nummer 3, 2002.

I'd like to take time for a long overdue shout out to Patti Davidson-Peters, a new found friend and the webmaster at The excellent 93^rd Aero Squadron web site http://freepages.military.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~sunnyann/93aero/index.html. There is much hard to find information about the 93^rd Aero Squadron and is well worth a visit. Welcome aboard Patti!