Fokker DVII – Jasta 4, Ltn Ernst Udet, June 1918

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After rejection by the German Army for being too small, Ernst Udet volunteered as a motorcycle dispatch rider before realising his dream of joining the German Air Service in 1915. Initially an observer, Udet became a pilot achieving 62 victories and commanding Jasta’s 4,11 and 37. His awards included the ‘Iron Cross’ and ‘Blue Max’ This Fokker DVII is from Jasta 4 and wears one of Udet’s more colourful schemes. The inscription ‘LO!’ on the fuselage is in honour of his girlfriend and the ‘Du Doch Nicht !!’ on the tail roughly translates to ‘Surely Not You !!’ a taunt to opponents. Ironically, Udet had to make his escape from this plane using one of the newly introduced ‘Heinecke’ parachutes! After the war Udet became a stunt and race flyer. In 1934 he accepted a role within the recently formed Luftwaffe and was promoted to Generaloberst in 1940. He soon fell from favour being made a scapegoat for various Luftwaffe failures including defeat in the Battle of Britain and Udet felt pressured enough to commit suicide in November 1941.

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