Dutch Modelling and Aviation

In Memoriam

Klaas Willem Jonker
(Wilko)
† April 30, 2018

On Monday, April 30, 2018, Wilko Jonker passed away after a long illness at the age of 58. He leaves behind a wife and two children. The Dutch military aviation and plastic model building were his hobby and on this website he has shared all the knowledge he has gathered about it over the many years. His hobby was able to distract him from the raging disease in his body until the last week of his life. The contacts with other hobbyists were a major support for him.

Friedrichshafen G-III

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History

The forerunner of the G. III was a successful bomber in 1917 was succeeded by the Friedrichshafen G. III (factory designation FF.45).
It was taller and had a larger wingspan than its predecessor.
G. II tended to head stand when landing; at the G III, this was compensated by adding a nose wheel.
Furthermore the G.II had two more powerful Mercedes D.IVa engines of 260 horsepower each, so a bomb load of 1000 kg could be carried.

Versions.

Friedrichshafen G. IIIa:
had a modified wing, which improved handling in flight on one engine. Furthermore, a third machine gun was added for defence against night fighters.
Friedrichshafen G. IIIb:
was a further modified version, the rear gunner having now a connection with the rest of the crew.

After the war, various G.IIIs were adapted and used as passenger aircraft.

 

Technical information
Dimensions:
Length: 7,15 m Wing span: 13,46 m
Height: 3,35 m Wing surface: 39 m2
Weigths:
Empty weight: 802 kg Full Weight: 1120 kg
Performance:
Max. speed: 158 km/hr Rate of climb: - m/min
Reach: 450 km Service level: 5000 m
Miscellaneous:
Engine: One 160 pk Mercedes D.III
Crew: One pilot plus one observer/air gunner
Armament: One fixed Spandau LMG-08/15 machine-gun plus one rotating Parabellum MG-14 machine-gun. A bomb-load of 100 kb max.

 


This three seat bomber from Bombengeschwader II made a forced landing on May 23, 1918 near Oosterhout. The German crew consisted ofLt. F.J.H. Vogel (Beobachter), Vzfw. P. Schneider and Uffz. J. Dellinger

The aircraft had still a 300 kg bomb on board, which was dismantled and removed. It entered Dutch service with the serial FG702 and at that time the largest aircraft in the inventory of the LVA.

However the LVA never flew with this large aircraft.

Friedrichshafen G.III van Bombengeschwader II landde op 23 mei 1918 onbeschadigd, maar nog met een bom van 300 kg aan boord, bij Oosterhout. De bemanning bestond uit Lt. F.J.H. Vogel (Beobachter), Vzfw. P. Schneider en Uffz. J. Dellinger. Het toestel werd naar Soesterberg vervoerd, maar heeft hier niet meer gevlogen. Ned. registratie FG702. Rechts achter.
Friedrichshafen G.III  .
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Friedrichshafen G.III 828/17 in de montagehal op Soesterberg, mei 1918. Er achter een Rumpler C.VIII.
Friedrichshafen G.III 828/17 in a hangar at Soesterberg, end of May 1918. At the back a Rumpler C.VIII.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 


Serial German Werknr. German Bestellnr. Date in service Date out of service Notes
FG-702 828/17   23-05-1918    

 


1/72nd Scale

Kits

  • Lüdemann
    • Kit XX: a resin kit of Friedrichshafen GIIIa kastenleitwerk.
    • Kit XX: a resin kit of Friedrichshafen GIII.
  • Chorozy Model
    • Kit MKC001: Friedrichshafen GIIIa (Polish Version).
  • Formaplane
    • Kit F2: a vacu formed kit.

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1/48th Scale

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The Friedrichshafen had the German camouflage colours used at that time, possibly the fuselage was dark green with german purple and the wings had a lozenge pattern.

Scheme Colour name FS number BS-number Humbrol XtraColor Vallejo Model Color Vallejo Model Air
                 

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

 


Literature.

Nederlandse Militaire Luchtvaart in Beeld. deel 1. Hugo Hooftman Pag. 40 - 41 1977 Uitgever: Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel
KLu Vliegtuigen: De vliegtuigen van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht vanaf 1913 Wim Schoenmaker & Thijs Postma Pag. 15 1987 Uitgeverij De Alk, Alkmaar
Vintage Aviation fotofax German Bombers of World War One Alex Imrie Pag. 51 - 62 1990 Uitgever: Arms and Armour Press, Poole, Dorset
Squadrons van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht (derde herzien druk) Willem Helfferich Pag. 14 - 1994 Uitgevers Wyt, Rotterdam
Camouflage en Kentekens J.Greuter e.a.   1997 Bonneville – Bergen (NH)
Air Enthusiast no.80 The Historical Aviation Journal: Unexpected Windfalls Bart van der Klaauw Pag. 54 - 59 1999 Uitgever: Key Publishing, Stamford

 

Websites.

 

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