Albatros D.III (Oef) 53.21
The cross on the fuselage is the 500mm iron cross (like on the rudder) but with its 58mm border overpainted black.
Three appearances of the plane are presented:
1) As on photo on factory field in Wr. Neustadt. It had no armament, no covers on wheel spokes, had a separate exhaust pipes, anemometer and winter engine cowling.
2) Later on the plane has been equipped with one MG, standard exhaust and covers on wheel spokes. The black fuselage cross have been removed by scraping or washing down from otherwise weathered fuselage plywood. Should be noted, that even if the plywood is weathered, the CDL is still quite white. Winter engine cover had been removed during the warm summer months. The spinner had been painted in some darker color. I opted for medium gray.
3) Later in 1917 the engine cover was installed back.
Those air victories were achieved flying this airplane:
29.9.1917, Unk., Flik 44/F, Nieuport 23
Following pilots are reported to fly the plane:
Stabsfeldw. Friedrich Hefty, Oblt. Otto Patz
Following units operated the plane:
Flik 29, 31, 44/F, Feldfliegerschulle Campoformido
References
Albatros D.III (Oeffag), JaPo, pg 8
Die Albatros (Oeffag) Jagdflugzeuge, H.Weishaupt Verlag, pg 20 and 43
Windsock Datafile 19, Albatros Productions, pg 2 and 3
Cross and Cockade, 1986 - 1988
