Fokker DVII - Jasta 4, Ltn Ernst Udet, June 1918 (1:48)

After rejection by the German Army for being too small, Ernst Udet volunteered as a motorcycle dispatch rider before realising his dream of joining the German Air Service in 1915. Initially an observer, Udet became a pilot achieving 62 victories and commanding Jastas 4, 11 and 37. His awards included the �Iron Cross� and �Blue Max�. This Fokker DVII is from Jasta 4 and wears one of Udet�s more colourful schemes.

The inscription �LO!� on the fuselage is in honour of his girlfriend and the �Du Doch Nicht!!� on the tail roughly translates to �Surely Not You!!� a taunt to opponents.

Ironically, Udet had to make his escape from this plane using one of the newly introduced �Heinecke� parachutes. After the war Udet became a stunt and race flyer. In 1934 he accepted a role within the recently formed Luftwaffe and was promoted to Generaloberst in 1940. He soon fell from favour being made a scapegoat for various Luftwaffe failures including defeat in the Battle of Britain and Udet felt pressured enough to commit suicide in November 1941.