Strange "insigna" on German plane. True or "fake" ante-litteram?

[airdaniele]

Hello Gentlemen,

what do you think about this "insigna" on a German plane (album belonged from Officer in FliegerAbteilung 254)?

In my opinion is a genuine photo... But could it be a "fake" writing? A WW1 "photoshopp" ante-litteram? Some shadows don't seem right to me...

Could there really be such an insignia?

Thanks in advance, Daniele.

 

[Dai Bach y Sowldiwr]

I see what you mean about the shadows.

The tops of the letters G, d, P and l from the words "Good People" look as though they should be in shadow.

Whereas the shadow of the right hand (standing) man's head is visible on a bright piece of paintwork.

I suppose that the "Good People..." message was painted in bright white, and given the limitations  of black and white film at the time, fine variations in contrast  might not show up unless the film was processed well.

It's a feature of digital photography today, more so in fact, as the dynamic range of the best cameras only just compare with b&W film  cameras of yesteryear. Processing an image today to illuminate the shadow areas risks burning out contrast in light areas., and mayne that's what has happened here.

[davidbohl]

Discussed on a different platform about ten years ago

Dave

 

 

[Gunner 87]

Hi Daniele. That's a very interesting photograph and having looked it up found an image of the  phrase in German on Bristol F2b number A7231 which was the property of Jasta 5. It became their hack and they eventually painted it like this because simply painting crosses over the roundels did not deter German troops from firing on it. This information is from thread from Wings Over Flanders Fields website. One observation was that if it was to deter he infantry from shooting the writing should be on the underside which according to one of the members it was...also added was it deterred other friendly aircraft from firing should they not realise it was British plane in the service of the Jasta. 

 

Thought it worth sharing and possibly of some use.

 

 

[Gunner 87]

In addition, the site, wingnutwings.com, has your photograph and though cropped at the bottom, so missing some shadow, is slightly clearer. Whether this has been enhanced or one of a number of contemporary copies is unknown. 

 

 

[pierssc]

Gunner 87's / Wingnut Wings version looks pretty authentic to me.  The tail of the "h" seems to have been painted over the lacing and the taller letters on the top line seem to have the shadow of the flares/bombs rack (or whatever it is) continuing across them.  Ditto that of the gun mounting on the "G".  

[airdaniele]

Sirs all, your arguments are very very precious.

Surely the photo is authentic, it was the first time I saw such an unusual phrase on a plane.

I would really like to know more news about the unit, pilot, etc.

Thanks again for your interventions, ciao from Italy, Daniele.

[KizmeRD]

Rumpler C IV ?
 

MB

[Gunner 87]

On 29/04/2021 at 06:50, KizmeRD said:

Rumpler C IV ?
 

MB

 

Any idea what the canister like objects are above the writing?

 

[Gunner 87]

To answer my own question, it appears they are flares, as on this Hannover CL.II, fitted in the same position next to the gunner, though this plane has a variety of sizes in the rack.  

 

[KizmeRD]

I can understand a pilot being windy of friendly fire, but if that’s the case write it large and in your own language (see below).

It’s asking a bit much to expect the enemy to hold fire!
MB

 

[Martin Bennitt]

Is it a plea or a statement? "Good people, don't shoot", or "Good people don't shoot"?

 

Cheers Martin B

[Dai Bach y Sowldiwr]

Wouldn't  it have been easier  and safer not to fly a re-badged enemy aircraft in the first place?

[KizmeRD]

In the case of the ‘nicht schießen’ aircraft, that was done because it was a captured Bristol fighter being used as the squadron round-around (Jasta 5), but I have no idea regarding reason for the painting on the Rumpler (assuming its genuine and not photo shopped).

 

MB

 

Edited 29 April , 2021 by KizmeRD

[MikeMeech]

13 hours ago, Gunner 87 said:

 

Any idea what the canister like objects are above the writing?

 

Hi

 

While the narrower items in your other post are 'flares' for firing from signal pistols, these items are too big.  They appear to be hand dropped and are likely to be 'smoke bomb' signals.  However, the only 'smoke bombs' mentioned as being used in German 1917/18 documents for artillery and infantry support appear to be 'smoke indicators' for dropping reports "Rauchmeldepatrone".  So this is probably what they are, presumably in three different colours.

 

Mike 

[Gunner 87]

On 29/04/2021 at 21:22, MikeMeech said:

Hi

 

While the narrower items in your other post are 'flares' for firing from signal pistols, these items are too big.  They appear to be hand dropped and are likely to be 'smoke bomb' signals.  However, the only 'smoke bombs' mentioned as being used in German 1917/18 documents for artillery and infantry support appear to be 'smoke indicators' for dropping reports "Rauchmeldepatrone".  So this is probably what they are, presumably in three different colours.

 

Mike 

 

Thanks Mike, appreciate your opinion and I think you're spot on. My use of the word 'flare' was incorrect and after looking at the size of flare guns I'd come to the same conclusion. Unfortunately there does not appear to be any images online other than a very similar sized bomb with fins attached. 

 

[airdaniele]

Sirs,

do you think there are other photos of this plane?

[airdaniele]

Hello Sirs, anotjer questions:

what type of aircraft is this?

 

 

 

 

 

[nils d]

On 02/05/2021 at 18:46, airdaniele said:

Hello Sirs, anotjer questions:

what type of aircraft is this?

 

 

 

l dont know but their  "good luck " symbol doesnt seem to be working.