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Milan Tesař
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Albatros D. III, Eduard, 1:48, pilot Lt. Ernst Hess, Jasta 28w, 17 victories.

December 19, 2023 · in Aviation · · 28 · 274

I recently saw here a beautifully built by Paul van Acker. I liked it so much that I built it in the same coloring. Very nice build, I just sanded the whole hull and carved new panels and added new engine covers. Lines are fishing line.
The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte) during the First World War. A modified licensed version was built by Oeffag for the Austro-Hungarian Air Service (Luftfahrtruppen). The D.III was flown by many top German aces.

Leutnant Ernst Hess was a World War I flying ace who claimed 17 confirmed and four unconfirmed aerial victories. Hess was one of the few World War I pilots involved in pre-war aviation, having obtained his civilian pilot's license on 26 September 1913. He qualified for his military pilot's license on 21 November 1914 and began his flying career as one of the first of the Imperial German Army.
However, Ernst Hess did not hit his stride until he was assigned to the Royal Württemberg Jagdstaffel 28 on 12 June 1917. He scored a dozen confirmed victories for them in July, August and September 1917, with three more remaining unconfirmed. Hess shot down an Airco DH.4 from No. 55 Squadron RFC, killing Lt A.P. Matheson's crew with Lt Frank Lambton Oliver, west of Oudenarde/Oodenaarde on 13 July 1917. Another of his claimed victories, on 9 August 1917, ended with Australian ace Cecil Roy Richards.
Hess then transferred to the Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 19 as their Staffelführer and gained three victories flying the Albatros D.Va before being killed in action by Adjutant De Kergolay of Escadrille N.96 in jagdgruppe on 23 December 1917. Hess had just been informed of his further promotion to command.

I wish everyone a nice and relaxing Christmas.

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5 additional images. Click to enlarge.


28 responses

  1. Nice work on this Great War icon!

  2. Fantastic D.III, Milan @milantesar
    Thanks for the information about Ernst Hess.
    Wishing you a wonderful Christmas as well.

  3. Another winner, Milan!
    Excellent job and awesome result!
    Thanks for the historical part, great to now the details about the charismatic Hess.
    Wishing you Merry Christmas as well!

  4. Beautiful Albatross and interesting narrative.

  5. We've seen a real renaissance in WWI builds these last 20 years. This is another fine example to add to that list of accomplishments. Well done.

  6. Nicely done, I like the wood grain on the prop. I avoid those planes with all those strings yours look great.

  7. 🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
    Nice job as usual Milan, nice rigging.

  8. Lovely Albatros! You can never have too many WW1 aircraft models in your display case.

  9. This Albatros is stunning. Wishing you a joyous holiday season. @milantesar

  10. Really great work Milan! I know how small these planes are in 1/48th scale, (I have the Dva). Your rigging looks beautiful. The Albatros series of German aircraft are among my favorites, and seeing your wonderful rendition reminds me why. Great backstory too!

  11. Beautiful work Milan, and a great result.

  12. Great build Milan, I like your rigging, excellent. My favourite German fighter.

  13. Yet another lovely WW1 fighter to add to your collection, Milan.

  14. Excellent D.III, Milan.

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