Inside The Cockpit - Albatros D.Va

The German Albatros is one of the most revered aircraft of the First World War and played a crucial role during 'Bloody April' in 1917. Let's hop inside and see what makes this bird tick.
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⚜ RAF Museum ⚜
Visit the RAF Museum: www.rafmuseum....
Thank you to the kind staff of the RAF Museum for their help in filming this episode!
⚜ Find Me On Social Media ⚜
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⚜ Sources ⚜
Brian Knight, Albatros Fighter
C.A.Owers, Albatros D.V/D.Va at War
Charles Cain, Aircraft in Profile - Albatros D.V
John F. Connor, Albatros Fighters in Action
Jon Guttman, SE 5A Vs Albatros D.V
Grag Van Wyngarden, Albatros Aces of WW1 - Part 2
Peter L. Gray & Ian R. Stair, Albatros Fighters of World War 1,
Peter L. Gray & Owen Thetford, German Aircraft of the First World War
Raymond Laurence Rimell, Albatros D.V
Robert C. Mikesh, Albatros D.Va
⚜ Music ⚜
Music and Sfx from Epidemic Sound
#InsideTheCockpit #Albatros #WW1

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

*If you enjoy my content, please consider supporting via Patreon:* www.patreon.com/Bismarck *or Paypal:* www.paypal.me/BismarckYT Big thank you to the RAF Museum for their help in filming this video: www.rafmuseum.org.uk/

[@omerashraf9357]

Please make a video on the legendary clashes between spitfires and zeros over Darwin in 1943 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@USSChicago-pl2fq]

Military Aviation History why did the Austrian-Hungarian’s not use Albatross V?

[@warhead_beast7661]

What German WW1 plane would you say was the most advanced or the best?

[@budmeister]

If you ever get the chance, you should come to Ohio and visit the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

[@sebastiangrumman8507]

Is this an actual, restored model, or a replica? The finish and condition is tremendously good.

[@TheIronArmenianakaGIHaigs]

I was just at RAF Hendon a couple of weeks back. I love how in the WW1 hall there is a 1 ton bomb. I just can't comprehend a ww1 plane carrying a one ton bomb.

[@threecedarshomestead1330]

Zeppelins, maybe?

[@TheJacobshapiro]

Son Of Sobieski would’ve been the big Handley Page bombers.

[@dragonsword7370]

I'd have assumed it was carried by a bomber or bigger aircraft type than by a fighter

[@shannonlewis1737]

It’s going to be a zeppelin sttaken bomber

[@benferris6472]

1 ton is even big for a bomber at the time, although im not an expert this is my gut feeling

[@theswedeledlel575]

Very good episode, please make more about WW1 aircraft. The internet is full of WW2 plane documentaries, it needs more WW1 aircraft!

[@lc7581]

This, please.

[@EeZerRenegade]

I agree

[@faiznaqvi]

I was about to say the same and saw your comment. Absolutely agreed. Superbly researched and well made episode.

[@KitKabinet]

+1. It would be great to see some Shuttleworth/Old Warden planes get some attention in the 'Bismarck documentary' -style.

[@coleparker]

I agree. I would also like to see more interwar plane documentaries.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

FWIW: I have always thought the Albatross was BEAUTIFUL because of its aerodynamic fuselage.

[@daszieher]

I always imagine what a cross between the DV fuselage and Junkers CL1 wings would have performed like.

[@Ray-lf1eo]

I love the propellor hub

[@bernhardwagner5749]

Some years ago I built am Anemometer for an Albatros replica. I tested it with a convertible and after adjusting it, it went to the Albatros. I will never forget the day, when I saw this wonderful machine with its Austro-Daimler Engine and my Anemometer flying over the Alps. Thanks a lot for this great video!

[@lepanhman]

Wow!That would of been a great sight to see to see!

[@tritop]

Great-Grandfather was a mechanic for the Albatros, he also told us that he and others put Bölke into a metal-coffin and brazing it to become tight in order to send his body home

[@threecedarshomestead1330]

Imagine one built with modern materials, instruments, a modern air cooled engine, etc, for use as a sportster. Fun!

[@TheErilaz]

And fast with the right engine, 200 km/h, about 100 knots.

[@deltavee2]

@Dale Carey I'd put a small straight-8 in it, super and turbocharged. Make it capable of 10G and 270mph. Yes, open cockpit.

[@deltavee2]

@Dale Carey JATO

[@deltavee2]

@Dale Carey Exactly! Steampunk as hell, but waaaay faster *";- )*

[@Willnot-g1s]

The D5a Albatross was the best coolest plane and by far the best Biplane ever!! ❤🎉😊

[@andrewince8824]

I love second generation fighters (1913-1920c). The basic ideas for good aircraft were largely figured out and we see an arms race of wonderful, iconic planes as a result. The first generation of airframes were erratic, the 3rd generation (interwar) were experimental. But that second generation, that wartime development, now that was a beautiful time.

[@jarink1]

When I was little, I thought the DR.I was the coolest German plane. Until I learned about the Albatross.

[@Steeyuv]

And you should go to Wairarapa in New Zealand and HEAR it...sounded like a stud farm for locomotive diesels. On its own!

[@Mannock]

It was the BF-109 of the First World War.

[@ImWithIdiot]

People think WW1 planes are simple, Looking at this and how he goes over all the parts that are needed for this to fly is incredible and shows what the German manufactures were thinking while making this aircraft.

[@quoguitars9555]

Absolutely beautiful aircraft, and thank you for showing us around it. To get so close, virtually, is a real pleasure, and I raise a glass to all my brothers in arms of the years gone by. Excellent series my friend, and take care, and stay safe. Quo, Quo Guitars, UK

[@wideyxyz2271]

Bloody gorgeous prop!!! Whoever made that is a true craftsman it sets off the whole aircraft!

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

The whole plane is a rebuild and absolutely pristine

[@danweyant707]

Yes. It really ties the room together

[@billyboy-59]

Yes, just needs a rug as well 😀

[@ShutUpBubi]

Favorite and best looking aeroplane of the war.

[@kennethduval6769]

Yes, it’s very beautiful to look at. ❤

[@paulpeterson4216]

I used to play (long long ago) "The Red Barron" video game, and the Albatross was an absolutely dominant machine during its period. And it was beautiful to boot.

[@darrengilbert7438]

The most beautiful aircraft of the 1st World War.

[@tootired76]

In Rise Of Flight, (WWI flight sim) the Albatross DVa is my favorite plane to fly! I earned a Lewis gun mounted to the top wing so my Albatross shoots 3 machine guns! I take random shots (3 round bursts) at all distances to possibly hit and slow my pursuit and it usually works. I stay on the tail and sooner or later I get the kill shot! YES!! I can disengage and run anytime so far in my Albatross!! Richthofen scored most of his kills in an Albatross.

[@Mannock]

Certainly one of the most important fighters ever conceived. And one of the prettiest planes made. And yes, Bismarck, it looks very comfortable.

[@lepanhman]

Sure was.Downed huge mount of allied fighters

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

This is your best video yet, I really enjoyed it, especially the cockpit tour and start up procedure.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Thanks Greg, glad to hear it

[@air-headedaviator1805]

I always felt like the spirit of the Albatros was later reclaimed in the Bf-109

[@derptank3308]

Except the comfortable part on bis’ part

[@Mannock]

Good point. That said, Albatros was taken over by Focke-Wulf in 1931.

[@HSMiyamoto]

Its the profile. The nose of the prop, the inline engine, the front fuselage are all reminiscent of the Bf 109. Willy Messerschmidt surely knew about the Albatross before the Bf 109 left the drawing board.

[@vaclav_fejt]

I think this is your best aircraft history and walkthrough video. I smell some inspiration by the Chieftain, but also TV-level production value (without all of the annoying music and repetitions). Great job!

[@bobbyb.6644]

I remember building a model of this plane 60 years ago ! It was a beautiful plane 🤗

[@tonycamplin8607]

So did I at a similar time it was from a MAP plan and i used a 1•5cc engine, it flew free flight. It flew beautifully.

[@rossmum]

Most beautiful of all the WWI planes, IMO. The Australian War Memorial Museum has a particularly good example, totally original from what I recall.

[@fenny1578]

The canvas calls, Ross.

[@nonyabiz9487]

Bloody April! For such a notorious killer warbird the Albatros is one of the most beautiful planes I have ever seen. Beauty kills!

[@RodgerHuse]

Another fantastic video. Thank you Bismarck.

[@jamescutright919]

Spot on analysis. Thank you for the informed commentary!

[@pedromoose8860]

Really well done! Nice lines on this A/C, my favorite by looks - but living (in retrospect) in the shadow of the Fokker D VII

[@metaphyzikal1]

Great Video Bismarck. The Albatross is one of my guilty pleasures in Sims....I love the way it handles, and it's such a stable gun platform....

[@pfg72]

I've been looking for a channel just like this forever. Thank you! Cheers from Patagonia!

[@tbarnes9727]

Great detail. Very enjoyable learning about the variations of the aircraft.

[@dermax1254]

One of the most beautiful planes ever built!

[@kennethduval6769]

Yes very beautiful lines,

[@glenniz1]

Thank you for preserving the history of aircraft from all over the world! Excellent presentation and such interesting content, especially love the full coverage of the cockpit......Well Done Man!!!

[@Richardcecker]

Nice Job Bismark! Very informative and interesting. I got a chance to sit in the cockpit of a Fokker DR I triplane replica. Very eye-opening as to how rudimentary and fragile planes of that era were. Thanks for sharing.

[@cannonfodder4376]

I have been waiting for this video for some time. Simply fantastic work Bismarck, stellar work as always.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Thank you

[@Riccardo_Silva]

I remember reading about a french fighter pilot of the time who stated (i quote by heart) "german planes stand to ours as a limousine stands to a lorry". Actually, this beautiful aircraft epitomizes that statement.

[@hlynnkeith9334]

Bismarck, The Austrians found and solved the problem with the lower wing of the D.III in February 1917. The Luftfahrtruppen loved the Oeffag D.III and continued to fly it for the rest of the war, refusing other airplanes. They also modified the nose -- removed the spinner and reworked the nose -- and thereby added 15kph to the D.III's top speed. After decades of study, I have not found any documented evidence that these Oeffag changes were communicated back to Albatros-Flugzeugwerke. If there were any, likely they were lost in the chaos that enveloped Austria after WW1 or the aerial bombing of Germany in WW2.

[@spawniscariot9756]

What was the problem found to be and how was it solved?

[@hlynnkeith9334]

@@spawniscariot9756 The Problem: In a dive, the sesquiplane (lower wing) twisted around its single spar and sheared off. The Solution: I don't know how Oeffag solved the problem, but I know they did. I shall ask my friends if any of them know how and get back to you. (Likely they do not. I have researched this for decades and I don't know.)

[@spawniscariot9756]

@@hlynnkeith9334 Thanks for your efforts, it's much appreciated

[@davidguerrero9270]

Once again, well done! Thank you for your videos!!

[@_datapoint]

"If Got mit uns the engine will turn". lol.

[@daszieher]

If "Gott ist mit uns"... like on the buckle clasp of the uniform belt.

[@DaimlerSleeveValve]

I saw this being flown (anything but gently too) a few years ago when it was on long-term loan to the Shuttleworth Trust. On the way in we were told "Caution the Bristol Fighter practising his display", Not every day you hear that on you radio! Still well worth a visit when you get a chance.

[@rodrigobasoaltoc.1743]

You and MHV produce history content with more quality than anything on youtube or tv!

[@bobsjepanzerkampfwagen4150]

Ever heard about Mark felton productions?

[@renardgrise]

Excellent Job Bismark... you're getting better at this!

[@blachak1]

Excellent presentation ! Thank you !

[@hughboyd2904]

Aside from anything else, the lovely Albatross is easily the best looking plane of WWI. Like a flying shark!

[@mpetersen6]

One reason the DV was slower than the SE 5 and the SPAD was its thicker wing

[@stevenwilgus8982]

One of my most favorite aircraft and she is beautiful for sure

[@byronjensen-vb1xv]

I am just building a 1:16 scale Model Airways DVa. These are uncovered museum replica models of wood and metal castings. Learning about this aircraft as I build the scale model of it......WWI aircraft fan.....those boys were true aviators, no question.

[@tankacebo9128]

absolutely the most beautiful fighter of the great war... I want to build one someday.

[@schaerffenberg]

"... in every sense of the word, beautiful."

[@kennethduval6769]

Yes, very beautiful!! ❤.

[@mustangloyd3864]

One of my favorite WWI war birds,and my go to when playing Rise of Flight. Also have an RC plane version that looks awesome in the air and a great flyer!

[@whoohaaXL]

I've always wanted to see how the wing mounted radiator worked with that piping. I believe it had a shutter on it to warm the engine up quickly and then open it when it had reached to operating temperature.

[@tusk70]

Nice to hear someone, who pronounced the german names the right way.

[@TheLeonhamm]

Thank you for the very interesting venture with MHV and Drachinfel (the wife and I watched it .. but for very different reasons - Hmmmm!?!) P.S. No I am not going to mention the purple trousers .. Argh! .. I just did .. (only teasing, of course; you are a star).

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Just for you ;)

[@oddballsok]

@@MilitaryAviationHistory guess what his undies looks like !

[@TheLeonhamm]

@@oddballsok No .. please .. enough is enough. ;o)

[@davidwatson8118]

Beautiful aircraft.👍 There is an original WW1 captured Albatross in the Australian war memorial museum in Canberra if you want to see one up close, love that aircraft.

[@vincentlefebvre9255]

A D V I believe .

[@paulstefanovich5217]

@@vincentlefebvre9255 the one in the war memorial was used as a pattern for the replicas which were built in New Zealand

[@vincentlefebvre9255]

@@paulstefanovich5217 Thanks

[@SovereignOfTheSeas]

Thank you very much for your videos they are very high quality.

[@avnrulz]

Don't forget that the pilot was wearing several layers due to flying at altitude in an open cockpit, combined with their shorter build, the combing probably wasn't an issue.

[@danweyant707]

Yes- when ever you see old uniforms in museum cases they're small!

[@kaijessen]

That's why analog instruments are so good, it is usually enough to glance at them to read them whereas digital/numbers only must be read. The round old style analog watches are so easy to read and will probably be in use as long as humans carries watches at all. Liked your video a lot, nice work.

[@IgnarHusky]

Probably my most favorite aircraft in early aircraft technological history. Not just as a WW1 or a military plane. As a plane, it is my favorite. Just so beautiful and slick.

[@robinmacfarlane4769]

great video thank you Bismark. Please keep it up.

[@MadMatt13]

Another great video! I can't believe how the instruments are spread all over the cockpit and even the wings!

[@dukecraig2402]

That's cool, 2 weeks ago I got to sit in the cockpit of a MIG-23 Flogger that my friend bought.

[@lepanhman]

Cool.,I’m getting a mig 27 j dropped off next week ,just insuring it’s a pain don’t U find

[@martijn9568]

I secretly believe that Bismarck is a diehard Scooter fan!

[@legoeasycompany]

For all the jokes of German Efficiency, it seems rather strange to have all your instruments spread out, although in the archive picture it seems like one side was already occupied by several other objects so I guess it makes sense for one instrument to be on it's own on the left

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Yes, the instrument panel isn't ideal and I think I could have made that more clear. The space inside is excellent, lots of room even for me (and I am taller than people at the time) but the instuments are scattered. I've seen pictures showing different locations for the dials. The instrument 'dashboard' was one of the things the Germans didn't do too well during WW1 but a few of those pictures show better arrangements.

[@bryanst.martin7134]

As an aviation mechanic having worked on WWll Radials, you kept wondering what the engineer was thinking when he designed the thing. It eventually became the understanding that a Mech must have been pleasing his daughter.

[@ParkerUAS]

@@MilitaryAviationHistory , think of this in the days before Instrument Flight was a reality. If you are flying a slower and lightweight aircraft visually, there isn't a need to be super precise. Let's compare this to a Piper J3 Cub. The Cub has very limited instrumentation as well. The fuel gage is a wire on a float that sticks out of the fuel cap in front you. As the plane basically stays around 60 mph at all times, you get a good sense after a while of the speed in relation to feel and RPM. I assume the WWI aviators were more accustomed to the feel/sound/RPM for flying the aircraft and not so much on the airspeed as a rule, more of as a cross reference when navigating. We do these aircraft and their crews of thinking of them in modern terms of guages, switches, lights, etc. These aren't designed in a time of long duration flights, air races, passenger travel, and flying in inclement weather. These were the days where the brought the windsock inside when it got bad out, hence the term "socked in". To put the technology into perspective, Curtiss made a caisson for the JN-4 so that a team of mules could tow it.

[@lepanhman]

Again in the right experienced hands these birds were top dog of the skies for a time & flew terror into allied pilots hearts.Up there with being one of the best WWI fighters early on in the war

[@neurofiedyamato8763]

Amazing video. Really interesting to see how the gauges are all over the place lol. Do more WW1 aircraft, there's just not enough information on these beautiful pieces floating around.

[@michaelevans205]

Thank you for a really informative look at one of my favourite WW1 aircraft. Much appreciated.

[@davidaitchison1455]

Beautiful example of the type and a very good breakdown of the history.

[@hoodoo2001]

Error: The aircraft was started by strenuously turning the "booster mag", the prop did not need to be swung by someone on the outside to start it. Most inline engines of the time did not need the props swung after being primed and the props pulled through with the mag off. Also this must be a fairly late DVa as the LMG 08 15 charging handles are of the type used in the summer of 1918. In 1917-18 various solutions were made to allow for the charging of the guns in the air as well as clearing jams and various means were used but the long geared handles proved best. The small handle at the back of the guns was for emptying the gun only as it did not operate the belt only the bolt inside the gun. However the large handle would operate the belt AND the bolt. After taking off the pilot could charge his guns in the air with the long handle and when landing could clear his guns with the small handle before landing. There is a famous film of MvR taking off in his Fokker Dr1 and he actually CLEARS his guns before takeoff with the small handle (there is no long handle at that time) so this was only a PR flight for the cameras. When MvR was killed in his red DR 1 he was using machine guns that were equipped with an interim charging handle that was pulled from inside the cockpit and was fitted low and to the side of the individual machine guns. By the Summer of 1918 machine guns with the long handles like the one in the video were prevalent. They would be incorrect for even early 1918.

[@davidmartindale2263]

You have no idea how useful your videos are for modelers

[@phantomkate6]

Always excited to see a new upload, even if I'm late getting to it because it's not in my feed. Thanks again.

[@sski]

That whole plane is a work of art. But that prop though... What an outstanding piece of wood.

[@TheRaptorXX]

Great video and really engrossingly presented. Thanks Bizzy!!

[@KB4th]

Really good vid Bis, thanks for all your work producing these.....

[@lightningdriver81]

That was a beautiful plane. I remember gluing together 1/72 scale models of it as a kid.

[@SeraphoftheRoundTable]

Your vids are getting better and better Bismarck 👍👍👍! Well don as always! May I suggest doimg a future video on the Austro-Hungarian Aviation Troops during WW1? They are kind of forgotten. Or maybe WW1 Zeppelins?

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Thank you, glad you think so. Should be doable but will take some time, I've got a full summer programme atm

[@SeraphoftheRoundTable]

@@MilitaryAviationHistory Take your time m8! Thanks for the reply 🙂😁

[@liangwang4089]

You look very nice in this video, Bis!

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Why thank you

[@derptank3308]

Doesn’t he always tho?

[@fastfreddy19641]

Loved this. Brought up on Biggles stories and WWI fighter pilots. It's great that your accent gives the German words a better sound that an English person could. 👍

[@RoyCousins]

Thanks Bismarck. 👍 Another interesting and informative video. Both the RAF museums (Hendon & Cosford) are well worth a visit.

[@bluedevil3765]

beautiful aeroplane! Thank you for this very informative and in-depth video! I

[@Ostwind1944_]

Such a beautiful bird.

[@cobalt2361]

The production quality of your videos has gotten tremendous over the years.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Thank you

[@TheRealHawkeye]

Wonderful job! This was truly a great video. I am working with a museum that is planning on procuring one in the distant future! I found this inspiring.

[@hosentrager7743]

The Albatross is a beauty

[@talkingdonkey1817]

Excellent video, cheers!

[@vampiretto89]

The most beautiful airplane ever built 😍

[@fazole]

Great job on an under served topic---ww1 aviation. I was surprised at the complexity already in such an early aircraft. You can easily see how the war leapfrogged aviation technology from 1914. Did the plywood contribute greatly to combat survivabilty? Thanks. Wirklich ausgezeichnet!

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

As far as I understand, it did make the Albatros a lot for 'survivable' than some other WW1 planes

[@fazole]

@@MilitaryAviationHistory Thank you and servus! I read some accounts of the RFC in the early yrs of air combat in 1915 when they had pusher prop aircraft. It seems the German planes had better rudder authority, because they could yaw their crates and rake the British from parallel near head on attacks which the British could not do. BTW. do you have flying experience. If not and your interested, I know a place in the US that has good results with a 30d private pilot course. It's a very good flight environment, not too crowded and not far from a great air museum. I don't work for them or get commission, but I was their commercial student and eventually became an airline pilot until injured.

[@TCK71]

Great video! well presented and very informative. Thanks!!

[@divyajnana]

Great video, Always loved the D.5a, beautiful.

[@johncaldwell-wq1hp]

WHEN THE 'ALBATROSS'-APEARED,-IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE WHEN THE "M.E.262" CAME ON THE SCENE !!--BOTH LOOK FANTASTIC,-TOO THIS DAY-& OUT-PERFORMED ANYTHING IN THE SKY !!--I RATHER RISK MY ASS IN ONE THESE THAN AN "R.E.8"

[@acadman4322]

An outstanding narration and video. Thanks.

[@Acin75]

Bismarck! Did you do a flight course on the Albatros? Because the way you described the starting process it felt like you had memorized the pre-flight check lists🤣🤣🤣👍splendid!

[@mojavegreen1804]

In my humble opinion the Albatros was the most beautiful aircraft of WW1. The Pfalz was a close second. Imho thanks for posting and greetings from the Mojave desert! Ausgezeichnet!

[@TheChrisodip]

I love how they use "Rise of Flight"

[@momotheelder7124]

Great idea for a series, hope it continues. Looking forward to the Bf109

[@sagenbabin8786]

18:00 that was a soft flex Honestly in my opinion the albatross was the best fighter of the Great War. It was only really the spad 7 that evened out the playing field

[@geofalke]

Loving the camerawork, Bis.

[@richardknott2021]

Very informative video..excellent.

[@grahamhunt1902]

Got one in Canberra at the Australian War Memorial. I don't think they would let you sit in it though.

[@MBCGRS]

This aircraft was built in New Zealand. Come down here for your next review. WW1 aircraft here are a dime a dozen...

[@stephenhosking7384]

Interesting that in the D.III (?) they lowered the upper wing to improve visibility. To me, it's always looked as if the conspicuously low wing would *decrease* visibility, but I can now see the logic.

[@Moggster23]

I saw this very aircraft flying at Shuttleworth shortly before it was sent to the RAF museum.

[@Moggster23]

@Superfly29rr Good question, thankfully I took some photos which were date stamped 22nd September 2012.

[@Moggster23]

@Superfly29rr oh absolutely, this was 1 of 2 aircraft the museum paid for to be built ebuilt. It's a real shame that a couple of airworthy aircraft are now on static display. I guess the best way I can look at it is by saying "at least I got to see them both flying".