PRUSSIAN KNIGHTS
OF THE AIR
German publisher Luftfahrtverlag START has produced a stunning new book on a lesser-known World War One German fighter unit… and there are accompanying decals too!
How often have you obtained a reference book and marvelled at a particular aircraft or vehicle colour scheme – and resolved to build the machine in question – only to be foiled by a lack of suitable markings? That hurdle isn’t a factor with START’s sumptuous new hardback on the Royal Prussian unit Jasta 14 from 1916-1918. The 222-page tome isn’t just hugely impressive in its own right, but the company has also commissioned appropriate decal sheets in the three major scales of 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 so you can model some of the aircraft shown in print.
Jasta 14 (Jagdstaffel 14) was formed from its predecessor, Kek Falkenhausen, but was not at the forefront of the German fighter arm, receiving less media/propaganda coverage and located in the French sector of the Western front, where fewer combat victories could be recorded. It was, however, notable in that it was the only Staffel beyond a Geschwader formation to be solely equipped with the Fokker Dr.I, and the only Jagdstaffel that did not operate the Fokker D.VII standard fighter in 1918.
After examining the unit’s origins, this dual German-English language book charts the course of Jasta 14, its leaders and pilots – employing a truly excellent array of period photographs (many of which are startlingly clear), beautifully rendered colour profiles by Juanita Franzi, maps and modern photos for comparison’s sake. The Albatros D.II, D.III and D.Va loom large for the most part, but the Fokker Dr.I is also latterly present, and the images are accompanied by insightful text, this having longer explanatory passages in between. But the visuals are not just of aircraft… they also focus on the pilots and groundcrew, airfield views, shots of enemy types such as the Nieuport, and crashed aircraft from both sides.
Two Jasta 14 commanders – Olt Rudolf Berthold and Lt Kurt Wintgens – are fascinating and described extensively here, the latter widely being considered the first German fighter pilot as he flew only single-seat combat aircraft at the front… and was the first of his countrymen to shoot down an enemy flying machine (although that claim wasn’t officially recognised).
Diorama and vignette possibilities are rife here, especially as the requisite decals are available so you can model exactly what’s on the page. And some of the liveries are simply beautiful; there are varnished wood fuselages adorned with personal artwork as well as national insignia, but some are painted in vivid blue, green and even black. Some studies show airfield hangars/tents to help with scale reproduction if desired.
You could thumb through the pages of this book every day for weeks on end and spot a new detail each time, as well as receiving a superbly researched account of Jasta 14, the text being penned by experts Jörg Mückler and Rainer Absmeier. Several photographs have also been unearthed by the publisher’s staff and contributors, and these include scans from preserved glass plate negatives.
Editor-Publisher Axel Urbanke has released various weighty hardbacks over the years, all with supremely high production values (and some being supported with bespoke decal releases), but this is the first outside of his usual realm of World War Two. It’s a superb segue that will inform and inspire… and have you delving into your stash for Albatros/Fokker kits, or buying new examples.
Long-time modellers of World War One aircraft will love this book, but it’s also a worthy product for anyone looking to make their first inroads into the subject, especially due to the decals also being available. A truly wonderful reference tool.
START also provided a review sample of the 1/48 decal sheet, which allows the replication of 11 seriously attractive airframes. The carrier film is gloss and the colours vivid in tone:
• Albatros D.II, D./1717/16, Staffelfūhrer Olt Rudolf Berthold, Flugplatz Būhl, November 1916
• Albatros D.II, pilot unknown, Flugplatz Būhl, early 1917
• Albatros D.II, D.1762/16, Vzfw Otto Gerbig, Flugplatz Būhl, spring 1917
• Albatros D.II, unknown serial/pilot, March-April 1917, Flugplatz Marchais
• Albatros D.III, unknown serial, Lt d R Friedrich Vonschott, March-April 1917, Flugplatz Marchais
• Albatros D.III, unknown serial, Vzfw Arthur Hūttner, Flugplatz Marville, summer 1917
• Albatros D.Va, unknown serial, Olt Hasso von Wedel, Flugplatz Boncourt, November 1917
• Albatros D.va, unknown serial, Vzfw Paul Rothe, Flugplatz Boncourt, autumn 1917
• Albatros D.Va, unknown serial/pilot, Flugplatz Épinoy, May 1918
• Fokker Dr.I, 198/17, Staffelfuhrer Lt d R Hans Werner, Flugplatz Many oder Phalempin, spring 1918
Jasta 14 – The History of Jagdstaffel 14 1916-1918 is available from Luftfahrtverlag-START (ISBN: 978-3-941437-46-3) and costs €64 direct, but it can also be purchased from various online retailers. For further details visit: www.luftfahrtverlag-start.de
The decal sheets cost €19.50 each regardless of scale, but €17.50 if ordered from START with the book.
If you don’t have the associated aircraft in your current collection, here’s a selection of suitable kits from past and present:
Albatros D.II
Roden (006) 1/72
Eduard (8082) 1/48
Encore (32001) 1/32
Albatros D.III
Revell (04062) 1/72
Roden (012) 1/72
Eduard (8438) 1/48
Eduard (8097) 1/48
Eduard (8437) 1/48
Revell (4973) 1/48 (ex-Eduard)
Smer (816) 1/48
Roden (606) 1/32
Albatros D.Va
Airfix A01078) 1/72
Eduard (7019) 1/72
Roden (032) 1/72
Eduard (8030) 1/48
Eduard (8111) 1/48
Wingnut Wings (32015) 1/32
Wingnut Wings (32906) 1/32
Fokker DR.I
Airfix (01074) 1/72
Eduard (7438) 1/72
Revell (04154) 1/72
Dragon (5903) 1/48
Eduard 8487) 1/48
Eduard (8162) 1/48
Revell (04682) 1/48
Meng (QS-002) 1/32
Roden (601) 1/32
