"Cutting Edge, Circa 1916" by steelrazer
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Description
It's interesting to consider that at that time, a person looking at these planes was looking at something exciting and new..science fiction come to life...the same way we look at the F-22, or the PAK-50 today. It's hard to get my head around that!
One historian mentions that Fokker's Eindecker, with it's newly gear-synchronized machine gun ended the hit and miss aspect of aerial combat and ushered in the era of air combat as a deadly serious skill. (In a side note, it's interesting to note that the solution was found resulting from observing a captured Morane-Saulnier L monoplane belonging to Roland Garros with its armor deflection plates on the propeller. This allowed the bullets to pass through the prop leaving the prop unscathed though causing some ricocheting. Fokker's geared solution was a bit more elegant and safer.) The Eindecker had been around since 1915 when the Airco DH.2 made it's debut, promptly making some confidence building air to air kills...including one Eindecker...and so, the wheel turns.
Airco DH.2 by sletch2003 at sketchup warehouse, tweaked to taste.
Fokker Eindecker III... there are a number of versions all over the internet...this is one of them, but I'm fuzzy as to which one it is. But kudo and thanks to the long forgotten author.
"Red Baron" Pilot by Max Greuter free at SW as well.
Vue 6 Infinite and Photoshop Cs3
Comments (14)
Razor42
Really nice work with this.
Scrib
these were the days of the knights of the skies. and yes, the wheel tuns - next stop Albatros D.I Cool picture, it's like a window into the past.
Tafkah
Great aviation scene. I use to fly the Fokker Eindecker a lot in "Rise of Flight" ;)
texboy
well done, once again!
Maxidyne
Nice work and write up Bill. I've also downloaded the DH.2 and plan to put it to good use. As you point out, it's hard to imagine that in their day these were cutting edge.
Magik1
As usual, a superbly done and beleivable piece of artwork. As an adition to your excellent narative: Of course, before the invention of the interruptor mechanism, Revolvers and Rifles were being used often resulting in the damage or destruction of pilot's own aircraft.
London224
As always a nice in the air feel to this Bill...doesn't it look like it would be easy...fun to fly off a grass field!!
neiwil
Another fave...another desktop! Brilliant image and write up Bill...cheers
sike
Wow!! That's just perfect.
Tryphon
Beautifully done, once again you have demonstrated that you master your craft very well.
Briney
Excellent. Shades of HG Wells all right... "Pusher" props certainly made aircraft awkward looking ... gee you would not want to loosen your scarf... rippppp!!!
Penters
Damn I was going to mention HG Wells...never mind, it's a lovely render
debbielove
I just read an article on the DH2.. It ended up at times with 3 machine guns, including one one facing backwards, where the gunner had to stand on the EDGE of the cockpit while the pilot tried to avoid being hit!!!!! Erm!? No thanks! Great Render, interesting write up to go with it.. Good work mate.. Rob
BardCoennius
Actually, I think the Fokker E-3 was obsolete by 1916 - though I was surprised to learn they were still in service as late as August of that year. Still a great render, though.