The Roland C.II in Profile
by Bob Pearson
The Roland C.II was one of the most advanced aircraft when it first appeared in March 1916. It featured a sleek, streamlined wooden fuselage that gave rise to its name of "Walfisch". Another novel innovation was the lack of cabane struts, instead the upper wing sat on top of the fuselage giving an uninterrupted view of the sky above. However the view downwards was a problem, especially when it came to landing.
The Roland C.II arrived at the front in March 1916 and remained in frontline use until June 1917, after which it served as a trainer.
Typical finish on the Roland C.II was an overall 'sky' camouflage, which I have shown as pale blue, but may be a light grey or off-white. Later, a sprayed pattern of brown and green was applied over the upper surfaces. The possibility exists that green and mauve may have been used, but I have my doubts on this as the C.II was on the way out when the order to change from red-brown to mauve was issued in 1917.
Many C.IIs were seen with various mouths painted on their nose, and a few crews took advantage of the side windows to add drapes and even a flower pot for 'family' photos.
LFG Roland C.II
Ltn Manfred von Richthofen
Kagohl 2/ Kasta 8
Mont-Morville Aerodrome
May-June 1916
Source: Ferko: Richthofen
One of the first aircraft that von Richthofen flew in combat was this Roland which he flew while serving with Kasta 8 on the Eastern Front. Overall Sky camouflage with two black (?) discs on each side. There is also a rudimentary mouth and eye on the cowl.
Roland C.II
Kagohl 2/ Kasta 8
Mont-Morville Aerodrome
May-June 1916
Source: Ferko: Richthofen
Another Ks8 Roland is this aircraft. Note that there is no forward firing guns fitted on any of these early C.IIs.
Roland C.II
Kagohl 2/ Kasta 8
Mont-Morville Aerodrome
May-June 1916
Source: Ferko: Richthofen
Ditto
LFG Roland C.II
Obltn Eduard Ritter von Schliech
Fl.Abt 2b
Winter 1916/17
Source: Roland C.II Datafile
Possibly the most famous C.II, at least since the re-release of the Airfix kit in the late 1980s, is this Walfisch flown by Eduard von Schliech. A nice touch is the 'pilot fish' attached to the port wing.
LFG Roland C.II
Unit Unknown
Source: Roland C.II Datafile
Now we have a gun fitted for the pilot's use. The roll-over pylon is also of a new shape now. The early C.II had a pair of semi-circular hoops, now it has straight supports.
LFG Roland C.II
Unit Unknown
1916
Source: Roland C.II Datafile
This C.II shows a typical sprayed pattern of red-brown and dark green on its upper surfaces. Other unit markings consist of a dark band (shown in black) forward of the fuselage cross and another on the fin. There is an aircraft number on the latter. This aircraft has painted curtains in the windows as well as a mouth on the nose of the aircraft. This is also the subject of the Eduard 1/48 kit.
LFG Roland C.IIa (Li)
Unit Unknown
Source: Roland C.II Datafile
The Roland was also built under licence by the Linke-Hoffman firm – their trademark can be seen below the ear radiator. Also note the different exhaust.
