Customer Reviews

Fokker Dr. I in action - Aircraft No. 98

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While the "in Action" titles are good, inexpensive sources of photos and color information, this is one of the worst in the series as far as errors are concerned. Also, several of the pictures are dark or indistinct, as compared to the same images in other books. Here are a few of the errors:

On Page 3, is a full-page photo described in the caption as Manfred von Richthofens 152/17. The caption goes on to describe the extent of red coloring on that aircraft. However, under magnification, the number is actually 127/17, and the upper wing and aft fuselage are obviously still in Fokker factory finish, olive streaking over clear-doped linen. I have another, clearer copy of this picture in Alex Imries book  definitely 127, and the paint pattern, and scratches on the tail cross, are identical. The thin outline of blue on the horizontal stabilizer, continued from the underside, is also obvious. On page 18, another picture (which is blurred) is supposed to be of 152/17, even though the black/white stripes of Jasta 6 can be seen on the tail. The same photo is in both the Windsock Special and Alex Imries Triplane book, described as being flown by Richthofen on a visit to Jasta 5 (and as 525/17). On the following page is a photo, supposedly of von Richthofens 425/17, but which appears to have a white cowl (perhaps actually von Tutcheks 404/17, shown on the cover?).

A photo of Lothar von Richtofens crashed triplane of 13 March 1918 is on Page 20, but the more well-known angle (also in Imries book) is on Page 17, labeled as a Dr1 of Jasta 12! A lineup on Page 24 is supposedly from Jasta 11, even though the yellow/black stabilizers of Jasta 19 are obvious.

The color plates all have olive streaks over turquoise on the upper surfaces, even though it is now generally accepted that most production Triplanes were olive over clear dope with turquoise undersides (the F1 prototypes, and perhaps a FEW production DrIs, were apparently turquoise/olive). Lt Rabens machine is shown as blue and white, although it is now known to have been red/white (Windsock uses the words 'now discredited blue'). It is also claimed (page 16) that Raben was captured  not true. It was flown by someone else that day, and Raben, flying a similarly-marked DVII, commanded Jasta 18 (NOT 7) until August, and Jagdgrupe Raben until wars end. Lt Kichsteins (sic) striped machine is shown overall black/white striped, and the stabiliser stripes are wrong. In photos, it has the typical Jasta 6 tail stripes, the forward fuselage is streaked, and the cowling is dark (probably black). This machine may have later been taken over by Udet, with his LO added. The rear cover, with Oblt. Weiss all-white machine, is also highly unlikely. A Vfw Hans Weiss, who flew with Jasta 11, had a triplane with white upper wing and aft fuselage, and red cowl, but otherwise standard finish.

On Page 41, theres a picture of a Triplane believed to be one of five DrIs built with silk covering in place of the standard linen. On the facing page, there is more text about this experiment, which states that it was easier to keep clean, stayed taut longer, and the aircraft were faster.

However, this same photo appears in several of my references (Imries Fokker Triplane, Ferkos Richthofen from Albatros Productions, and the Windsock Fabric Special on JG1  also from Albatros). Each of these identifies it as MvRs ill-fated 425/17 in its original markings, before the directive mandating the change to the crosses. A small blemish below the cockpit matches this photo to later, better known photos of MvRs last Triplane. Another interesting note  the smooth finish, as well as the lack of olive-green streaking in any known samples of fabric from this machine, leads the authors to the conclusion that 425/17 was sprayed red, directly over CDL, at the factory or AFP 2. Also, none of these references, or others I have, mentions that this particular machine was silk-covered. So, at least the photo caption in the Squadron book is in error.

A few more, from a Windsock review:

The striped No. 4 of "Jasta 12", which was actually of Jasta 19, and does not show that unit's tail colors (it's even in the J19 group photo on Page 24, captioned as "Jasta 11" - a multiple error!). Comment is also made about the 8 pages devoted to other Triplanes, postwar, and replicas, taking away from the limited space available.

Better sources are Alex Imrie's "The Fokker Triplane" (unfortunately OOP), and several Windsock titles from Albatros productions - the DrI "Special", "von Richthofen's Flying Circus", and "Richthofen". There are sites online which have this series available.

This is a very moderately priced book and for the price it has a lot of good information and detail. The reviewer is an r/c modeler and the book was used to enhance a current building project. Numerous black and white photographs of planes and pilots show good detail that is often missed in other sources. These details include field installed rear view mirrors and field installed signal flare racks on the fuselage next to the cockpit. The photographs seem to be well documented for accuracy. Also in the book are color illustrations of famous and typical aircraft. The detail and clarity are good and pleasing to the eye. More top and bottom views of these would have been more than welcomed as most were side views only. The book got a 3 star rating because of its short length and because of the lack of color top and bottom views. In fairness to the author it is likely that there is not much more documentation of an original kind that could have been included. Also, top and bottom views of such a rare and short lived aircraft are extremely hard to find. Overall this was a good book full of information and good photographs of planes and pilots. All seemed to be well documented. If you can find a copy of this book you SHOULD get it for your bookshelf.