AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ERA

Albatros D.III(OAW)


The OAW-built D.III was similar to the parent Johannisthal built D.III with the main difference being a more rounded rudder akin to that of the D.V/Va. Colours of the D.III(OAW) were also similar with the earliest examples being delivered in two colour sprayed patterns - initially reddish-brown and green. These were changed to Lilac/green after the use of reddish-brown led many aircraft to be mistaken for those of the enemy, and a switch to dark green and lilac was ordered on April 12 1917. It is unknown if any Johannisthal-built D.IIIs were delivered in lilac/green but some OAW examples surely were. The final batch of OAW D.IIIs (D.2362-2561/17) had five-colour printed fabric on wings and tail surfaces. Interestingly, many of the earlier aircraft in this run exhibited a mix of painted and printed components as stocks of the former were used up.
Other differences between OAW and Johannisthal D.IIIs include the OAW ones had their fuselage cross further forward, as well as an extra ply panel on the extreme nose. There were five horizontal panels as opposed to four on the Johannisthal-built D.III. These panels also extended further aft than their cousins, and went to the rear cabane attachment point instead of the front of the wing
Greg VanWyngarden provided a very good description of Albatros D.I-III finishes in the Albatros D.III Datafile Special section on Markings. The Datafile Special is recommended as the best single source of information on the D.III, and it supercedes the information in Datafile No.1 as well as the Albatros fighters Special.
 


typical OAW-Built D.III
with Lilac/Green

 


Albatros D.III(OAW)
Vzfw Adam Barth
Jasta 10
Summer 1917
Source: OTF 4/4

Albatros D.III(OAW)
Ltn Alfred Träger
Jasta 17
-
Source: GVW


Albatros D.III(OAW)

Jasta 28

Source: OTF 15/1

 


Albatros D.III(OAW)

Jasta 28

Source: OTF 15/1

 


Albatros D.III (OAW)
Vzfw Konrad Poralla
Jasta 32b
Summer 1917
Source: Glencoe Albatros kit/OTF 17/3



Albatros D.III(OAW)
Obltn Josef Loeser
Jasta 39

Source: Warplanes
and Airbattles of WWI


Albatros D.III(OAW) D.5197/17
 or D.5141/17
Jasta 49
-
Source:Windsock

Albatros D.III(OAW) D.5127/17
Off.Stv Hermann Habich
Jasta 49

Source: Albatros D.III Special


Albatros D.III(OAW) D.5515/17
Ltn Franz Ray
Jasta 49
May 1918
Source: Albatros in Action



Albatros D.III(OAW) D.2377/17
-
Jasta 50
-
Source:Profile No.127


Albatros D.III(OAW) D.2372/17
Vzfw Steinsträter
Jasta 50
-
Source: GVW Photo

 


Albatros D.III(OAW) D.2362/17
-
Jasta 50
-
Source: Profile No.127


Albatros D.III(OAW)
-
Jasta 50
-
Source: Profile in Action

Albatros D.III(OAW) D.3210/17
Ltn Werner Hafner
Jasta 56
March 1918
Source: OTF 4/4

Albatros D.III (OAW)

MFJ I

Source: Albatros D.III DF Special