Albatros DV.a
open edition print, 13” x 19”

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Albatros D.Va is an open edition print created from a colored pencil drawing of one of my favorite aircraft of WW1. This particular plane was that of Hauptman Eduard Ritter von Schleich, Commanding Officer of Jasta 21. Following the death of his close friend Leutnant Limpert, he painted his entire aircraft black and became known as the "Black Knight". Von Schleich survived the war having destroyed 36 enemy aircraft, and received numerous awards for his efforts including Germany's highest honor, the Pour le Merite (more popularly known as "The Blue Max"). I did this drawing from the replica owned by the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in NY. In order to make the drawing historically accurate, however, I had to make several changes in the drawing, including changing the engine back to the original Mercedes engine and adding the headrest which was on Schleich's bird.

Printed on acid free stock with fade resistant inks, the print is signed by Russell Smith.

Details of Albatros DV.a
(click on any thumbnail for a detailed image)

The Galleries / WW1 Open Editions