| Place | Oceania: Australia, Victoria, Melbourne |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM04805.007.001 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Aircraft component |
| Maker |
Pfalz Flugzeug Werke GmbH |
| Place made | Germany |
| Date made | c 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Pfalz D.XII Scout Aircraft : Port wheel : Wheel cover inner (original)
Description
One circular fabric cover, as fitted to the port wheel inner of Pfalz D.XII 2600/18.
History / Summary
The Pfalz D.XII entered production in mid 1918, and was first issued to operational units of the German airforce in about September. By October there are believed to have been about 180 Pfalz D.XIIs in service on the Western Front. The type is known to have been issued Jastas 23, 32, 34, 35, 64, 65, 66, 77, 78, and 81, as well as some home defense units. There are few known instances of contact between Australian airmen and Pfalz D.XIIs. This aircraft was given to Australia under terms of the Armistice that ended the First World War. The aircraft was sent from 2 Aircraft Salvage Depot in France to the UK by cross-channel steamer in late 1919, and was subsequently shipped to Australia. Its service history is unknown, but contemporary evidence suggests that the aircraft was regarded as 'used'. This indicates that the machine may have seen active use. 2600/18 was displayed in the Memorial from the 1940s until the 1960s. During this time it was mistakenly identified as a Pfalz which was forced down after combat with aircraft from 4 Squadron AFC in 1918.