Pfalz D.IIIa in profile

by Bob Pearson

A development of the Pfalz D.III, the Pfalz D.IIIa entered service in November 1917 and served until the end of the war. Basic finish was overall silbergrau (gray with aluminum powder added for UV protection), although some had lozenge wings. Here are a few options for the various kits now available. Further Pfalz D.IIIa profiles can be found in the forthcoming FMP/Paladin book on Pfalz as well as my CD-Rom. Contact me for information on the latter

Pfalz D.IIIa
Hptm Rudolf Berthold
OC, JG.II
Balatre Aerodrome
May 1918

One of the most familiar of all D.IIIas is that flown by Berthold, however all illustrations of it in the past have had the colour demarcation in the wrong location. They show it to be in the middle of the cockpit, whereas it is actually at the rear cabane strut - for those who say "but Rimell has it ..." He mentions that his is in the wrong location in an issue of Windsock. It is interesting to note that Berthold chose to fly the Pfalz over the Albatros - generally the Albatros was prefered.

Pfalz D.IIIa
Vzfw Max Holtzem
Jasta 16b

Now this would have to be the second most famous D.IIIa, and is the subject of the Datafile cover as well as numerous kit decal options. Check out Michael Kendix's article on building the Mac kit in these markings

Pfalz D.IIIa
Ltn Carl Degelow
Jasta 40
May-June 1918

One more familiar D.IIIa is the white stag marked aircraft flown by Carl Degelow while at Jastas 7 and 40. . ... exactly which unit is still not definately known.

Pfalz D.IIIa 4215/17
Flugmaat Undiener
MFJ2
January 1918

Undiener's D.III 4169/17 is fairly well-known thanks to being illustrated in various publications. Less seen is his later D.IIIa. MFJ 2 used a white tail as their unit marking

Sources:

• Resarch for the forthcoming Pfalz book

• Dan-San Abbott's Jasta documentation service

• Greg VanWyngarden correspondence