Fokker Dr.I 404/17

Haumptmann von Tutschek flew 404/17 (Works No. 1998) from late February. This is an early photograph before the tail unit black was extended to border the rudder and fuselage national insignia and shows a mechanic about to swing the propeller, while another stands by the triplane , ready to hold it down when the engine starts. Tutcek's white cloth for wiping oil from his goggles can be seen tucked under the right-hand strap of his shoulder harness. The telescopic Oigee sight has yet to be fitted. Tutschk's leading mechanic, is standing by the cockpit. ("The Fokker Triplane" by Alex Imrie pg.58, Arms And Armour)

CAPT Ritter von Tutschek, Commander of Jagdegeschwader 2, in the cockpit of his Fokker Dr.I (404/17). Von Tutschek has the engine cowling of his triplane painted white, the same markings used on his earlier Albatros D.V. ("Fokker Dr.I in action" by Heinz J.Nowarra" Pg. 22, Aircraft Number 98, Squadron/Signal)

Haumptmann Adolf von Tutschek, who was officially credited with 27 aerial victories, was the Kommandeur of Jagdgeschwader II and is seen here in his Fokker DrI triplane, 404/17,the machine in which he was killed on 15 March 1918. It is marked with the colours of his old unit Jagdstaffel 12 - white nose cowling and black tail unit - although later the white cross backgrounds on rudder and fuselage were painted black, leaving only the regulation 5cm wide white border. Note the anemometer-type airspeed indicator on the port wing interplane strut and the wing-tip streamers attached to the lower wing trailing edge. ("Fokker Fighters of World War One" by Alex Imrie Pg.36, Vintage Warbird No.6, Arms And Arour)

Sone after the formation of JG II, a mechanic stands ready to swing the prop on Adolf von Tutschek's DrI 404/17  Toulis. Another crewman prepares to hold down the tail as the engine starts, while von Tutschek's chief mechanic Uffz Balzer stands by the cockpit. At this time the Jasta 12 unit marking of a white cowling has been effected, but the black tail colouration has been applied only to the tailplane and rear fuselage, All cross-fields and the rudder remain white in this photograph, but later they would be reduced with black paint to produce the regulation white border around the crosses. Note the leader's streamer trailing from the lower wing and the works number 1988 on both interplane struts. A Morell airspeed indicator is mounted on the port strut. Just visible is the white cloth von Tutschek used for wiping his goggles, tucked under his shoulder harness. ("Jagdgeschwader Nr II" by Greg Van Wyngarden, Pg.17, Aviation Elite Units 19, Osprey)  

DrI 404/17 (Work Nr. 1988). This familiar photograph of Ritter Adolf von Tutschek is worth repeating for its quality. The triplane bears typical Jasta 12 black and whit decor over a standard finish. The distinctive style of the serial number and the strut stenciling can be seen to advantage as can the vertical streaking of the fuselage camouflage. Note anonometer on the upper port interplane strut, distinctive stenciling and the manufacturer's plate on the cowling which has not been overpainted. (M Schmeelke) ("Fokker Triplane" Pg.15, Wind-Sock Datafile 5 Albatros Productions) ("Fokker Dr.I" Wind-sock Datafile Special, Pg.17 Albatros Productions)

Hptm Adolf Ritter von Tutschek in cockpit of his triplane Dr.I 404/17, wn 1988, at Toulis in March 1918. at this stage, it has the white cowling of Jasta 12, but has its rear fuselage and tailplane painted black. (IWM Q63145) ("Fokker Dr.I Triplane" A World War One Legend by Paul Leaman, Pg.169, Air War Classics)

This photo of 404/17 was taken early in the aircraft's operational life. The rear fuselage has not yet been fully painted in black. ("Fokker V5/Dr.1 by Wolfgang Schuster & Achim Sven Engles, Pg.20, Schiffer Military History)