DFS Kranich

DFS Kranich [crane] training glider with markings that appear to read D-17-606. The D-17 designation would allocate the aircraft to the NSFK [Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps, i.e., National Socialist Flyers Corps] Gruppe Ostmark, after the "Anschluss" of Austria in 1938. The Kranich was designed in 1935 by Hans Jacobs for the DFS [Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug; German Research Institute for Sailplane Flight]; it was primarily intended for performance and blind flying training.

The Kranich pictured above can be seen resting on its jettisonable undercarriage dolly; another such undercarriage dolly is located on the ground between the individuals at right.

The three aircraft in the background are Grunau Baby gliders, designed by Edmund Schneider. Location and exact date unknown. (German Aviation 1919-1945 collection)

Schleicher Rhönbussard & Schneider Grunau Baby

DFS/Schleicher Rhönbussard, likely D-6-612 (the dark aircraft in the main photo, top, and in the detail enlargement, bottom), and Schneider Grunau Baby D-6-660 (light coloured aircraft in the rear and in the detail enlargement, centre) of NSFK-Gruppe 6 Breslau (Schlesien).

The Rhönbussard first flew in 1933. It was designed by Hans Jacobs as a small high-performance sailplane. The number of completed aircraft amounted to over 200.

In its original configuration, the Grunau Baby sailplane was designed by Edmund Schneider, together with Wolf Hirth, in Winter 1930/31. Several thousand Babys were built.

Devised in spring of 1937, the aircraft code system (e.g. D-6-660 ) of the NSFK [Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps, i.e., National Socialist Flyers Corps] was implemented by July 25, 1937. The exact date of the photograph and the location are currently unknown to me, however. (German Aviation 1919-1945 collection)

[Entry amended January 31, 2020]

DFS Rhönsperber

DFS Rhönsperber (Hans Jacobs Rhönsperber) "Nobel 6", gull-wing competition sailplane, photographed before the war. Location and exact date unknown. (German Aviation 1919-1945 collection)

[Entry amended January 18, 2020]