Albatros D.III OEFFAG 253 8242

AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN WWI FIGHTER d r

1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT a u d e Albatros D.III (Oef)

Over the second half of 1916, the German air force began to introduce into modified from a collector pipe to six individual stacks. With the more powerful production new D.I, D.II and D.III fighters. These aircraft, at the very, least equaled engine came an increase in weight, as well as maximum speed to some their allied counterparts, and pilots flying them were able to command the skies over 190 km/h. A major improvement also came in the aircraft’s climb rate. On the the Western Front into the spring of 1917. The situation of the air force of the Austro- heels of this series, delivered between August and September, 1917, came Hungarian Empire (LFT) was considerably worse. They entered combat on the another run, aircraft 153.62 to 153.111 against a June order. These were identical Hansa-Brandenburg D.I. Their performance could not match that of the Italian air to that preceding order, and were delivered by Oeffag between August and force, and their poor flying qualities proved dangerous to less experienced pilots. November. Even that wasn’t the end of the production run, as a further 100 Despite this, their presence was invaluable to the LFT, and its pilots were able to rack (153.112 to 153.211) were ordered in October, 1917, followed by another up a score of some 78 enemy aircraft. seventy (153.212 to 153.281). Aircraft from the final two orders were delivered The head of the LFT realized the need for new machines, and acquired a production by June, 1918. Aircraft from 153.112 to 153.281 differed with a more rounded license from Albatros, and then placed an order for 20 D.IIs and 30 D.IIIs with front end, boosting the top speed to 198km/h. Oesterreichische Flugzeugfabrik AG (Oeffag) in December, 1916. The aircraft were to be delivered in the first quarter of 1917, and the LFT designated the aircraft type as Starting in June, 1918, new aircraft acquired a new Austro-Daimler 531. Subsequently, the order was changed to 16 D.IIs (53.01 to 53.16) and 34 D.IIIs, 225hp engine. These aircraft were part of Series 253, on the basis of two orders and to a further eleven D.IIIs in March. In all, 45 D.IIIs (53.20 to 53.64) were for a total of 330 aircraft. By the end of the war, the LFT accepted 186 Series 253 ordered. Austro-Hungarian aircraft differed from German production. First and aircraft, while there remained 74 airframes in various states of assembly that foremost came an engine change, where the Mercedes D.III gave way to the were completed after the war. The already excellent performance was again excellent Austro-Daimler rated at 180hp. Changes were also seen in the armament, improved by the installation of an even more powerful engine, that, for example, that saw the internal installation of Austrian Schwarzlose machine guns, the cockpit pushed the top speed to over 200km/h, and the climb rate was also bettered interior and radiator were changed, and, above all, the D.III had strengthened wings. compared to the Series 153 aircraft. Physically, they differed little from Series Thanks to this, through their service life, Austro-Hungarian aircraft suffered no 153 aircraft. The trailing edge of the tailplanes were wired as opposed to the lower wing collapses, as was the case with their German counterparts. Series 53 original wooden strips. From aircraft 253.31, there was also a change in the aircraft were delivered to the LFT through May to July, 1917. They appeared on the cowl, that had deeper engine cut-out. Series 253 planes also had the armament front after trials at the beginning of June. The aircraft were enthusiastically greeted, placed mostly on top of the fuselage, as was the case on German aircraft. and their performance was greater than anything else flying, friendly or not. Furthermore, they demonstrated good flight characteristics, and were easy to contol. Despite being of 1916 vintage, the Albatros D.III (Oef) was able to maintain On October 6, 1917, the first kill was achieved with Feldwebel Julius Kowalczyk a spot on the leading edge of fighter technology up to the end of the war, thanks of Flik 24 at the controls, downing an Italian Caproni. to constant improvements and the installation increasingly powerful engines. Pilots of the Austro-Hungarian air force were able to gain at least 320 victories. The delivery of 64 Series 53 aircraft was not the end of production, and on the basis Oeffags were used in combat even after the war, namely with the Polish air force. of a February, 1917 order, production continued with a further 61 Series 153 aircraft. The Poles bought 38 aircraft from 253.212 to 257 in 1919, and pressed them into The main difference between this production block and the preceding one was the service against Bolshevik Russia. installation of a Austro-Daimler engine rated at 200hp. Also, the exhaust system was

Note 1: In the system of LFT designation, the numeral 5 was allocated to the Oeffag factory. This was followed by a sequential production type. If, within the production run, there was a major modification to the type, such as the installation of a new engine, there appeared a prefix number (with the second variant it was a '1', with the third, it was a '2', and so on). The series number of each aircraft was composed of the type number, which was followed by a period, and the sequential unit number of the aircraft within the line of a production block. For example, Albatros D.III (Oef) 253.116 designates the 116th aircraft of the third variant of the third type manufactured by Oeffag.

E Albatros D.III (Oef) 253.116 Sgt., Adolf Blaha, November 1919

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H303 303

H53 H301 13 301 ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU A KOMPLETNÍ 26 H85 FOR COMPLETE PROFILE PLEASE REFER KAMUFLÁŽNÍ SCHÉMA NALEZNETE NA 45 www.eduard.com/info/photos/8242 www.eduard.com/info/photos/8242

On November 21, 1918, Zgsf. Adolf Blaha in Albatros 253.116, together with Stfw. Bela Mayer in Albatros 253.114 of Flik 3/J flew to Switzerland. Here, the aircraft remained interned, and the pilots released in the spring of 1919. Czechoslovakia was interested in acquiring the aircraft, and after almost a year of negotiating, was successful. However, 253.114 remained in Switzerland as compensation for the storage of both aircraft. On October 29, 1919, Blaha flew 253.116 to Plzeò, from where he continued on to Kbely in Prague on November 1st. Here, however, the aircraft was written off in a forced landing after engine failure, which was later installed into the only Czechoslovak Fokker D.VII(MAG) (Eduard Kit 1147).

The aircraft appearance changed minimally, the removal of armament and the overpainting of the crosses on the tail and top wing. The bottom wing acquired Czechoslovak markings, likely with a thin red border.

It is recommended to check www.eduard.com/info/photos/8242 for the latest colour and instruction sheet updates. ATTENTION UPOZORNÌNÍ ACHTUNG ATTENTION

GB Carefully read instruction sheet before assembling. When you use glue or paint, do not use near open flame and use in well ventilated room. Keep out of reach of small children. Children must not be allowed to suck any part, or pull vinyl bag over the head.

CZ Pøed zapoèetím stavby si peèlivì prostudujte stavební návod. Pøi používání barev a lepidel pracujte v dobøe vìtrané místnosti. Lepidla ani barvy nepoužívejte v blízkosti otevøeného ohnì. Model není urèen malým dìtem, mohlo by dojít k požití drobných dílù. Iire soigneusement la fiche dínstructions avant dássembler. Ne pas utiliser de colle ou de peinture à p roximité dúne flamme nue, et aérer la piece de F temps en temps. Garder hors de portée des enfants en bas âge. Ne pas laisser les enfants mettre en bouche ou sucer les pièces, o u p asser u n s achet v inyl s ur la t ete. D Von dem Zusammensetzen die Bauanleitung gut durchlesen. Kleber und Farbe nicht nahe von offenem Feuer verwenden und das Fenster von Zeit zu Zeit Belüftung öffnen. Bausatz von kleinen Kindern fernhalten. Verhüten Sie, daß Kinder irgendwelche Bauteile in den Mund nehmen oder Plastiktüten über den Kopf ziehen. JP

INSTRUCTION SIGNS INSTR. SYMBOLY INSTRUKTION SINNBILDEN SYMBOLES

OPTIONAL BEND OPEN HOLE SYMETRICAL ASSEMBLY NOTCH REMOVE APPLY EDUARD MASK VOLBA OHNOUT VYVRTAT OTVOR SYMETRICKÁ MONTÁŽ ZÁØEZ ODØÍZNOUT AND PAINT FACULTATIF PLIER SIL VOUS PLAIT FAIRE UN TROU MONTAGE SYMÉTRIQUE L INCISION RETIRER POUŽÍT EDUARD MASK NACH BELIEBEN BITTE BIEGEN OFFNEN SYMMETRISCHE AUFBAU DER EINSCHNITT ENTFERNEN NABARVIT

PARTS DÍLY TEILE PIECES PLASTIC PARTS

A> B> 2 C> 2 3 1 3 1 1

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D> X> 5 2 PE - PHOTO ETCHED 1 DETAIL PARTS 1 3 6 8 7 2

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COLOURS BARVY FARBEN PEINTURE

GSi Creos (GUNZE) AQUEOUS Mr.COLOR AQUEOUS Mr.COLOR H 73 C23 DARK GREEN H 11 C62 FLAT WHITE H 85 C45 SAIL COLOR H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK H 301 C301 GRAY H 13 C3 FLAT RED H 303 C303 GREEN H 37 C43 WOOD BROWN H 344 RUST H 47 C41 RED BROWN Mr.METAL COLOR H 53 C13 NEUTRAL GRAY MC214 DARK IRON H 70 C60 RLM02 GRAY MC218 ALUMINIUM H 72 C22 DARK EARTH MC219 BRASS 2 X8 X6 MC218 ALUMINIUM

X9 MC218 ALUMINIUM

PE5 MC218 ALUMINIUM MC218 X11 X1 ALUMINIUM X12

MC218 ALUMINIUM

MC218 ALUMINIUM B17 X11 PE24

H 12 H 37 MC218 C33 ALUMINIUM FLAT BLACK C43 B2 WOOD BROWN

X13 PE4 H 12 X10 C33 X7 FLAT BLACK H 12 H 12 C33 MC218 X5 C33 FLAT BLACK ALUMINIUM FLAT BLACK MC218 MC218 PE17 ALUMINIUM ALUMINIUM PE3 X3 PE16 X3 X2 X10 X5 X13

H 37 decal C43 PE2 WOOD BROWN H 47 A20 47 A5 C41 PE1 C1 RED BROWN PE7 decal 49 MC214 DARK IRON

PE9 PE11 H 301 PE1 B13 C301 PE13 H 12 GRAY MC214 decal C33 DARK IRON 54 FLAT BLACK H 37 A9 C43 B10 decal 51 WOOD BROWN MARKING B ; C ; D ; E H 37 C43 A17 WOOD BROWN MC214 DARK IRON C1 H 301 A23 C301 H 301 GRAY MC214 C301 PE28 DARK IRON GRAY A23

H 37 C43 A17 WOOD BROWN A19 A5

A18

H 301 C301 A14 GRAY H 37 C43 A4 WOOD BROWN A16 H 12 H 37 C33 A1 A13 C43 FLAT BLACK H 301 WOOD BROWN C301 GRAY PE15 C10 decal 53 A2 B11 PE14 H 37 B7 C43 decal 52 WOOD BROWN PE8

H 47 H 301 A2 C41 C301 RED BROWN GRAY PE27 C10 PE27 MC218 ALUMINIUM A16 H 37 C43 MC218 WOOD BROWN A13 ALUMINIUM H 301 H 301 H 37 B7 C301 C301 C43 A10 GRAY GRAY WOOD BROWN 3 H 37 C43 A17 PE2 WOOD BROWN H 47 A20 C41 PE1 B18 MC214 RED BROWN C1 DARK IRON decal 49 H 301 MC214 C301 PE28 DARK IRON GRAY PE10 PE11 H 301 PE1 C301 H 12 GRAY decal 48 C33 PE13 FLAT BLACK A9 H 37 C43 B10 WOOD BROWN decal 51

H 37 C43 WOOD BROWN MARKING A H 301 C1 A23 C301 GRAY MC214 DARK IRON A23

H 37 C43 A17 WOOD BROWN B18 A19 A18

H 301 C301 GRAY H 37 A14 C43 A4 WOOD BROWN

H 37 A16 C43 H 12 A1 A13 WOOD BROWN C33 H 301 FLAT BLACK C301 GRAY B11 C10 PE15 H 37 B7 decal 53 C43 PE14 WOOD BROWN decal 52 PE8

C10 H 301 C301 GRAY A16 A2 MC218 MC214 ALUMINIUM DARK IRON

H 37 C43 A10 H 47 WOOD BROWN C41 B27 H 37 RED BROWN C43 MC218 ALUMINIUM PE27 WOOD BROWN

A25 H 301 PE27 B7 C301 GRAY

A13 H 301 B9 C301 GRAY H 301 C301 GRAY

MC214 B C D DARK IRON A22, B24 - MARKING ; ; ONLY B24 A22 H 47 C41 RED BROWN

D2 MC218 ALUMINIUM MARKING B ; C ; D ; E

MARKING E ONLY

B12 MC218 ALUMINIUM MARKING B21 B ; C ; D ONLY 4 A B16 B20 MARKING MC214 H 47 DARK IRON C41 RED BROWN

H 37 C43 PE12 WOOD BROWN C3

MC214 DARK IRON B19

MC218 ALUMINIUM

C3 B12 MC218 ALUMINIUM

B21

C2 D7 C9

MARKING B ONLY

PE26 B23 MC218 H 344 ALUMINIUM

RUST

PE20

H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK

B28 MC214 DARK IRON

B28 D1 B28

MC214 B28 A22 DARK IRON

H 12 PE20 MARKING B C D C33 ; ; FLAT BLACK B24 5 D4 C5 D4 D4

A6, B6 DECAL 45 DECAL 23+ 24

B4 B6 A12 MC219 BRASS A6

MC219 BRASS

A11 MC219 LONGER AHEAD BRASS A26

H 12 FWD C33 PE6 FLAT BLACK

B4+ A26 H 301 A8, C301 GRAY B15 B4 H 53 C13 NEUTRAL GRAY

H 37 C43 A7 WOOD BROWN

A15 H 301 PE25 C301 GRAY

A21 B5 H 301 C301 A24 GRAY

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MARKING D , E ONLY A21 PE25

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PE25 H 301 C301 GRAY PE18

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H 301 C301 GRAY

PE19 PE19+ PE23

H 301 C301 GRAY

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PE22 H 301 C301 GRAY

PE19+ PE23

7 A 253.24, Oblt.i.dRes. Benno Fiala, Flik 51/J, Ghirano, September 1918

Aircraft 253.24 typifies the camouflage scheme used on Albatros D.III (Oef) when they left the plant. Wooden and fabric surfaces were covered with a clear coat, and the metal panels on the fuselage were ‘machined’. The interwing struts and landing gear legs were painted with a dark colour, likely a dark grey. This aircraft was delivered in June, 1918, and was attached to Flik 51/J, where it was flown in combat by Zgsf. Eugen Bonsch (16 kills), Korp. Josef Pfisterer, and above all, the CO of Flik 51/J Oblt.i.d.Res. Benno Fiala Ritter von Fernbrugg, who, with 28 kills, became the third most successful LFT pilot.

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Mc218 2 27 44 H37 1 H85 56 43 45

H37 43 19

3 Mc218

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H85 45

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H37 43

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H37 Mc218 43

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Mc218 ALUMINIUM Mc218

DOPPED LINEN H85 H37 H53 H301 WOOD GREY DARK GREY SAIL COLOUR 45 43 13 301 eduard 8 B 253.32, Flik 63/J, Portobuffolee, September 1918 (Rudolf Nìmec)

On July 31, 1918, an order was issued changing the national insignia on Austro-Hungarian aircraft. The original iron cross was replaced by crosses with a different design in new positions. Because there was no actual time limit imposed, the changeover was gradual.

The pictured aircraft of Flik 63/J, flown by, among others, Zgsf. Rudolf Nìmec, serves as an example of various interpretations. The rudder cross was instead located on the fin, and neither was the fuselage marking up to the prescribed standard. The red colouring on the rear section, the black and white stripes on the fuselage, and the black and white sunbursts on both sides of the wheel discs were Flik 63/J unit markings. The series number on the sides of the fuselage was scratched out.

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H13 31 3 Mc218 6 27 33 H37 5+37 H12 56 43 33

H37 43

Mc218

H11 56 62 H53 H301 13 301 H11 34 62 H13 46 3 H301 301 38c+38d H85 45 H37 43

H85 45 H301 301

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H85 45

32 H37 Mc218 43

H12 H11 33 62 5+37 33 27 ALUMINIUM Mc218 H11 46 62 DOPPED LINEN H85 H37 WOOD SAIL COLOUR 45 43 H11 H53 H301 H13 H12 WHITE GREY DARK GREY RED BLACK 62 13 301 3 33 eduard 9 C 253.36, Oblt. Othmar Wolfan, Flik 56/J, August 1918

The personal aircraft of Othmar Wolfan displays another non-standard representation of the national insignia on Austro-Hungarian aircraft in the summer of 1918. While the upper surface crosses remained original, the crosses on the rudder were in different proportions than the aircraft before. The crosses under the wings were non-standard in their size and location. They were actually the same size and location as the original iron crosses.

Othmar Wolfan gained his first and only kill flying this aircraft when, on August 1st, 1918, he downed a Sopwith Camel from 66 Sqd. RAF. On the 14th of September, 1918, he was severely injured in a crash, and sat out the rest of the war in a hospital bed. Othmar Wolfan was one of a few German pilots who, after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, served in the Czechoslovak Air Force. He entered service in July, 1919 as an Air Force Officer. He served, for the most part, with No. 9 Air Company and flew SPADs. He left the Czechoslovak army on January 31, 1921.

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H53 10 42 H37 9 H85 56 13 43 45

H37 43 36

11 Mc218

56 H53 H301 13 301 H85 Mc218 45 22

21 H85 45 H37 43

H85 45

21 22

H37 43

H85 45

H53 H37 13 43

9 42 ? 41

Mc218

DOPPED LINEN H85 H37 H53 H301 WOOD GREY DARK GREY SAIL COLOUR 45 43 13 301 eduard 10 D 253.116, Oblt. Friedrich Navratil, Flik 3/J, Fall 1918

Albatros 253.116 served as the second personal mount of Flik 3/J CO Oblt. Friedrich Navratil. Both aircraft carried virtually the same personal markings, and 253.06 is easily recognizable by virtue of its internal gun installation.

253.116 represents typical Flik 3/J colouring, which included the ‘natural’ elements of the fuselage, upper sides of both wings and empanage being painted over in green and possibly also brown splotches. National insignia in October 1918 remained in their original iron cross guise. Note the use of the left wheel off of an Aviatik D.1 238.18.

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14 27 39 13 56

H37 43 19

Mc218

56 H53 H301 13 301 26 H85 45 20

21 H85 45 H37 43

H85 45

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13 40 27

Mc218 DOPPED LINEN H85 ALUMINIUM Mc218 SAIL COLOUR 45 H37 H53 H301 H73 H72 WOOD GREY DARK GREY DARK GREEN BROWN 43 13 301 23 22 eduard 11 E Albatros D.III (Oef) 253.116 Sgt., Adolf Blaha, November 1919

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H303 H37 303 43

Mc218

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H303 303 H85 45 H37 43

H85 45 H303 303 43

H303 303

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Mc218 DOPPED LINEN H85 H303 ALUMINIUM Mc218 LIGHT GREEN SAIL COLOUR 45 303 H37 H53 H301 H73 H72 WOOD GREY DARK GREY DARK GREEN BROWN 43 13 301 23 22 eduard STENCIL VARIANTS

3 25 17 30 17 28 3+4

7+8

11+12 3 15+16

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