Focke-Wulf Fw 44

A somewhat pristine Focke-Wulf Fw 44 Stieglitz [goldfinch] biplane training aircraft coded D-EUXO, photographed, if the handwritten inscription on the rear of the picture is indeed correct, at Karlsruhe airfield in 1936. The aircraft is powered by a Siemens & Halske Sh 14 radial engine, as was common for the vast majority of Fw 44s built.

The line-up behind D-EUXO includes at least six other training aircraft, among them two further Fw 44s, two Heinkel He 72 Kadett [cadet] biplanes featuring Argus As 8 R engines, and two Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann [freshman] basic trainers. Note the black wheel hubs and dark grey tires typical for German aircraft of the period. (German Aviation 1919-1945 collection)

Heinkel He 72

Heinkel He 72 A Kadett, D-EBIZ, Werknummer 761, of the NSFK. Aircraft is fitted with an Argus As 8 R engine. Exact date and location unknown.

The pilot in the rear cockpit appears to be Martin Mossdorf, later Gruppenkommandeur of I./StG 3 (from June to November 1942). Mossdorf was a recipient of the Deutsches Kreuz [German Cross] in gold as well as the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes [Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross], among other awards. He survived the war in captivity. (German Aviation 1919-1945 collection)

[Entry amended February 25, 2020]