Albatros D.Va

The German Albatros company was famous for its elegantly streamlined fighters and reconnaissance planes, and the powerful D.V was no exception to this rule. It was first employed in July 1917.

The photograph shows an accidented machine, probably having overturned when landing away from its airfield. As was mostly the case in incidents like this, damage was relatively minor and this aircraft may have been back in the air after a few days of loving care by German mechanics.

(This photograph is part of a series of glass negatives that were probably left behind by retreating Germans. The scanned picture was kindly supplied by Mr. Dirk Lefebvre).

Albatros D.Va

Airfix used to produce a nice 1/72 scale kit of this streamlined German fighter. Typical of the period where also the nice paintings that came with the packaging (which was a cardboar/plastic blister in this case).

(Airfix kit painting - the Aviation Buffs Archive)

Albatros D.V replica

Close scrutiny reveals an longer-than-normal nose and a tailskid with built-in tailwheel. Otherwise, this replica is very convincing. It is one of the World War One replicas maintained in flying condition by the Stampe Museum of Antwerp, Belgium.

Albatros D.V "Stropp", exhibited at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington D.C.