E Albatros D.III (Oef) 253.116 Sgt., Adolf Blaha, November ... - Eduard

Albatros D.III OEFFAG 253 

AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN WWI FIGHTER 

1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT 

Albatros D.III (Oef) 

Over the second half of 1916, the German air force began to introduce into 

production new D.I, D.II and D.III fighters. These aircraft, at the very, least equaled 

their allied counterparts, and pilots flying them were able to command the skies over 

the Western Front into the spring of 1917. The situation of the air force of the Austro- 

Hungarian Empire (LFT) was considerably worse. They entered combat on the 

Hansa-Brandenburg D.I. Their performance could not match that of the Italian air 

force, and their poor flying qualities proved dangerous to less experienced pilots. 

Despite this, their presence was invaluable to the LFT, and its pilots were able to rack 

up a score of some 78 enemy aircraft. 

The head of the LFT realized the need for new machines, and acquired a production 

license from Albatros, and then placed an order for 20 D.IIs and 30 D.IIIs with 

Oesterreichische Flugzeugfabrik AG (Oeffag) in December, 1916. The aircraft were 

to be delivered in the first quarter of 1917, and the LFT designated the aircraft type as 

1 

53 . Subsequently, the order was changed to 16 D.IIs (53.01 to 53.16) and 34 D.IIIs, 

and to a further eleven D.IIIs in March. In all, 45 D.IIIs (53.20 to 53.64) were 

ordered. Austro-Hungarian aircraft differed from German production. First and 

foremost came an engine change, where the Mercedes D.III gave way to the 

excellent Austro-Daimler rated at 180hp. Changes were also seen in the armament, 

that saw the internal installation of Austrian Schwarzlose machine guns, the cockpit 

interior and radiator were changed, and, above all, the D.III had strengthened wings. 

Thanks to this, through their service life, Austro-Hungarian aircraft suffered no 

lower wing collapses, as was the case with their German counterparts. Series 53 

aircraft were delivered to the LFT through May to July, 1917. They appeared on the 

front after trials at the beginning of June. The aircraft were enthusiastically greeted, 

and their performance was greater than anything else flying, friendly or not. 

Furthermore, they demonstrated good flight characteristics, and were easy to contol. 

On October 6, 1917, the first kill was achieved with Feldwebel Julius Kowalczyk 

of Flik 24 at the controls, downing an Italian Caproni. 

The delivery of 64 Series 53 aircraft was not the end of production, and on the basis 

of a February, 1917 order, production continued with a further 61 Series 153 aircraft. 

The main difference between this production block and the preceding one was the 

installation of a Austro-Daimler engine rated at 200hp. Also, the exhaust system was 

E Albatros D.III (Oef) 253.116 Sgt., Adolf Blaha, November 1919 

H53 

13 

26 

14 27 

H301 

301 

H85 

45 

39 

13 

FOR COMPLETE PROFILE PLEASE REFER 

www.eduard.com/info/photos/8242 

H303 

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8242 

On November 21, 1918, Zgsf. Adolf Blaha in Albatros 253.116, together with Stfw. Bela Mayer in Albatros 253.114 of Flik 3/J flew to Switzerland. Here, the aircraft 

remained interned, and the pilots released in the spring of 1919. Czechoslovakia was interested in acquiring the aircraft, and after almost a year of negotiating, was 

successful. However, 253.114 remained in Switzerland as compensation for the storage of both aircraft. On October 29, 1919, Blaha flew 253.116 to Plzeò, from 

where he continued on to Kbely in Prague on November 1st. Here, however, the aircraft was written off in a forced landing after engine failure, which was later 

installed into the only Czechoslovak Fokker D.VII(MAG) (Eduard Kit 1147). 

The aircraft appearance changed minimally, the removal of armament and the overpainting of the crosses on the tail and top wing. The bottom wing acquired 

Czechoslovak markings, likely with a thin red border. 

eduard 

modified from a collector pipe to six individual stacks. With the more powerful 

engine came an increase in weight, as well as maximum speed to some 

190 km/h. A major improvement also came in the aircraft’s climb rate. On the 

heels of this series, delivered between August and September, 1917, came 

another run, aircraft 153.62 to 153.111 against a June order. These were identical 

to that preceding order, and were delivered by Oeffag between August and 

November. Even that wasn’t the end of the production run, as a further 100 

(153.112 to 153.211) were ordered in October, 1917, followed by another 

seventy (153.212 to 153.281). Aircraft from the final two orders were delivered 

by June, 1918. Aircraft from 153.112 to 153.281 differed with a more rounded 

front end, boosting the top speed to 198km/h. 

Starting in June, 1918, new aircraft acquired a new Austro-Daimler 

225hp engine. These aircraft were part of Series 253, on the basis of two orders 

for a total of 330 aircraft. By the end of the war, the LFT accepted 186 Series 253 

aircraft, while there remained 74 airframes in various states of assembly that 

were completed after the war. The already excellent performance was again 

improved by the installation of an even more powerful engine, that, for example, 

pushed the top speed to over 200km/h, and the climb rate was also bettered 

compared to the Series 153 aircraft. Physically, they differed little from Series 

153 aircraft. The trailing edge of the tailplanes were wired as opposed to the 

original wooden strips. From aircraft 253.31, there was also a change in the 

cowl, that had deeper engine cut-out. Series 253 planes also had the armament 

placed mostly on top of the fuselage, as was the case on German aircraft. 

Despite being of 1916 vintage, the Albatros D.III (Oef) was able to maintain 

a spot on the leading edge of fighter technology up to the end of the war, thanks 

to constant improvements and the installation increasingly powerful engines. 

Pilots of the Austro-Hungarian air force were able to gain at least 320 victories. 

Oeffags were used in combat even after the war, namely with the Polish air force. 

The Poles bought 38 aircraft from 253.212 to 257 in 1919, and pressed them into 

service against Bolshevik Russia. 

Note 1: In the system of LFT designation, the numeral 5 was allocated to the Oeffag factory. This was followed by a sequential production type. If, within the production run, there was a major 

modification to the type, such as the installation of a new engine, there appeared a prefix number (with the second variant it was a '1', with the third, it was a '2', and so on). The series number of 

each aircraft was composed of the type number, which was followed by a period, and the sequential unit number of the aircraft within the line of a production block. For example, Albatros 

D.III (Oef) 253.116 designates the 116th aircraft of the third variant of the third type manufactured by Oeffag. 

ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU A KOMPLETNÍ 

KAMUFLÁŽNÍ SCHÉMA NALEZNETE NA 


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2 

ATTENTION UPOZORNÌNÍ 

ACHTUNG ATTENTION 

GB 

CZ 

F 

D 

JP 

INSTRUCTION SIGNS 

OPTIONAL 

VOLBA 

FACULTATIF 

NACH BELIEBEN 

Carefully read instruction sheet before assembling. When you use glue or paint, do not use near open flame and use in well ventilated room. Keep out of 

reach of small children. Children must not be allowed to suck any part, or pull vinyl bag over the head. 

Pøed zapoèetím stavby si peèlivì prostudujte stavební návod. Pøi používání barev a lepidel pracujte v dobøe vìtrané místnosti. Lepidla ani barvy 

nepoužívejte v blízkosti otevøeného ohnì. Model není urèen malým dìtem, mohlo by dojít k požití drobných dílù. 

Iire soigneusement la fiche dínstructions avant dássembler. Ne pas utiliser de colle ou de peinture à 

p roximité dúne flamme nue, et aérer la piece de 

temps en temps. Garder hors de portée des enfants en bas âge. Ne pas laisser les enfants mettre en bouche ou sucer les pièces, o u p asser u n s achet v inyl s ur 

la t ete. 

Von dem Zusammensetzen die Bauanleitung gut durchlesen. Kleber und Farbe nicht nahe von offenem Feuer verwenden und das Fenster von Zeit zu Zeit 

Belüftung öffnen. Bausatz von kleinen Kindern fernhalten. Verhüten Sie, daß Kinder irgendwelche Bauteile in den Mund nehmen oder Plastiktüten über 

den Kopf ziehen. 

BEND 

OHNOUT 

PLIER SIL VOUS PLAIT 

BITTE BIEGEN 

INSTR. SYMBOLY INSTRUKTION SINNBILDEN SYMBOLES 

OPEN HOLE 

VYVRTAT OTVOR 

FAIRE UN TROU 

OFFNEN 

SYMETRICAL ASSEMBLY 

SYMETRICKÁ MONTÁŽ 

MONTAGE SYMÉTRIQUE 

SYMMETRISCHE AUFBAU 

NOTCH 

ZÁØEZ 

L INCISION 

DER EINSCHNITT 

REMOVE 

ODØÍZNOUT 

RETIRER 

ENTFERNEN 

PARTS DÍLY 

TEILE PIECES 

PLASTIC PARTS 

A> B> C> 

1 

9 

14 

4 

D> X> 

7 

3 

5 

2 3 

5 

10 

15 

2 

6 

6 

11 

16 

1 

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23 

4 

eduard 

COLOURS BARVY 

FARBEN PEINTURE 

GSi Creos (GUNZE) 

AQUEOUS 

26 

22 

24 25 

Mr.COLOR 

H 11 C62 FLAT WHITE 

H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK 

H 13 

C3 

13 

FLAT RED 

H 37 C43 WOOD BROWN 

H 47 

H 53 

H 70 

C41 

C13 

C60 

RED BROWN 

18 

NEUTRAL GRAY 

RLM02 GRAY 

H 72 C22 DARK EARTH 

4 

25 

9 

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15 

22 

1 

5 

1 

2 

3 

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10 11 12 13 14 

16 

26 

17 

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6 

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10 10 

11 11 

2 

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18 19 20 

23 

27 

24 

AQUEOUS 

H 73 

H 344 

13 

8 

3 

21 

12 

28 

28 

8 

Mr.COLOR 

C23 

DARK GREEN 

H 85 C45 SAIL COLOR 

H 301 C301 GRAY 

H 303 C303 GREEN 

Mr.METAL COLOR 

RUST 

MC214 DARK IRON 

MC218 ALUMINIUM 

MC219 BRASS 

2 

APPLY EDUARD MASK 

AND PAINT 

POUŽÍT EDUARD MASK 

NABARVIT 

4 5 

6 

8 

PE - PHOTO ETCHED 

DETAIL PARTS 

1 

10 

9 

7 

3

X8 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

PE24 

X10 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

X2 X10 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

C1 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

B7 

H 12 

C33 

FLAT BLACK 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

A17 

PE28 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

MC214 

DARK IRON 

A2 

X11 

MC214 

DARK IRON 

B10 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

PE27 

A13 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

H 47 

C41 

RED BROWN 

X9 

PE3 

PE27 

X1 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

X11 

H 37 

decal C43 

WOOD BROWN 

47 

PE7 

B13 

MC214 

DARK IRON 

H 12 

C33 

FLAT BLACK 

PE9 

PE13 

decal 

54 

decal 51 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

PE4 

MARKING B ; C ; D ; E 

C1 

A2 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

PE5 

PE17 

PE16 

H 12 

C33 

FLAT BLACK 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

A5 

A1 

B17 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

A5 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

A17 

A18 

B7 

B2 

X6 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

X5 

H 12 

C33 

FLAT BLACK 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

X12 

X3 

X3 

X5 X13 

A14 

B11 

A13 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

H 47 

C41 

RED BROWN 

decal 49 

PE11 

A4 

A20 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

A19 

A23 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

A9 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

C10 

C10 

X7 

PE1 

X13 

H 12 

C33 

FLAT BLACK 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

A16 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

PE2 

H 12 

C33 

FLAT BLACK 

PE1 

MC214 

DARK IRON 

PE15 

PE14 decal 53 

decal 52 

PE8 

A23 

A16 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

A10 

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4 

C1 

MARKING 

PE27 

A13 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

A 

H 47 

C41 

RED BROWN 

PE27 

MC214 

DARK IRON 

B10 

PE10 

A22, B24 - MARKING B ; C ; D ONLY 

MARKING B ; C ; D ; E 

B21 

B9 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

decal 48 

PE13 

C1 

decal 51 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

B27 

MC214 

DARK IRON 

A25 

D2 

B18 

H 12 

C33 

FLAT BLACK 

B18 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

A22 

A1 

MC214 

DARK IRON 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

B7 

A17 

A18 

B7 

A17 

MC214 

DARK IRON 

PE28 

B11 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

A13 

A2 

B24 

A14 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

H 47 

C41 

RED BROWN 

decal 49 

PE11 

A4 

H 47 

C41 

RED BROWN 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

B12 

A20 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

A19 

A23 

MARKING 

B ; C ; D 

ONLY 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

A9 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

C10 

C10 

PE1 

MARKING E ONLY 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

A16 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

PE2 

A23 

H 12 

C33 

FLAT BLACK 

PE1 

MC214 

DARK IRON 

PE15 

PE14 decal 53 

decal 52 

PE8 

A16 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

A10

MARKING 

B28 

MC214 

DARK IRON 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

B23 H 344 

RUST 

PE20 

A 

B19 

H 12 

C33 

FLAT BLACK 

MC214 

DARK IRON 

C3 

MARKING B ; C ; D 

D8 

MC214 

DARK IRON 

C2 

B28 

PE12 

B21 

H 12 

C33 

FLAT BLACK 

B16 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

PE20 

MARKING B ONLY 

B28 

C8 

D7 

B28 

C3 

MC214 

DARK IRON 

B24 

A22 

B20 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

H 47 

C41 

RED BROWN 

MC218 

ALUMINIUM 

B12 

PE26 

D1 

C9 

5

6 

D4 

A8 

PE25 

A21 

A7 

A6, B6 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

A21 

PE18 

B6 

MC219 

BRASS 

PE25 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

A24 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN 

MARKING D , E ONLY 

A11 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

A15 

A12 

MC219 

BRASS 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

A21 

A6 

B5 

PE25 

C5 

DECAL 45 

B4+ 

A26 

D4 

D4 

LONGER AHEAD 

A8, 

B4 

FWD 

DECAL 23+ 24 

PE6 

H 53 

C13 

NEUTRAL GRAY 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

A26 

C7 

MC219 

BRASS 

B4 

D4 

H 12 

C33 

FLAT BLACK 

B15 

H 37 

C43 

WOOD BROWN

PE22 

PE21 

C301 

H 301 

GRAY 

A3 

PE19 

PE23 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

H 301 

C301 

GRAY 

PE19+ PE23 

PE19+ PE23 

7

A 

56 

H37 

43 

Mc218 

56 

21 

H85 

45 

253.24, Oblt.i.dRes. Benno Fiala, Flik 51/J, Ghirano, September 1918 

Aircraft 253.24 typifies the camouflage scheme used on Albatros D.III (Oef) when they left the plant. Wooden and fabric surfaces were covered with 

a clear coat, and the metal panels on the fuselage were ‘machined’. The interwing struts and landing gear legs were painted with a dark colour, likely 

a dark grey. This aircraft was delivered in June, 1918, and was attached to Flik 51/J, where it was flown in combat by Zgsf. Eugen Bonsch (16 kills), 

Korp. Josef Pfisterer, and above all, the CO of Flik 51/J Oblt.i.d.Res. Benno Fiala Ritter von Fernbrugg, who, with 28 kills, became the third most 

successful LFT pilot. 

8 

19 

3 

ALUMINIUM 

Mc218 

DOPPED LINEN H85 

SAIL COLOUR 45 

WOOD 

Mc218 2 27 

44 H37 

43 

H53 

13 

H85 

45 

H37 

43 

21 

H85 

45 

GREY 

H53 

13 

H301 

301 

Mc218 

H37 

43 

DARK GREY H301 

301 

H37 

43 

20 

1 

H37 

43 

H85 

45 

1 44 27 

Mc218 

ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA 


20 

Mc218 

H85 

45 

19 

3 

eduard

B 

56 

H37 

43 

Mc218 

56 

H85 

45 

38a+38b 

253.32, Flik 63/J, Portobuffolee, September 1918 (Rudolf Nìmec) 

On July 31, 1918, an order was issued changing the national insignia on Austro-Hungarian aircraft. The original iron cross was replaced by crosses with 

a different design in new positions. Because there was no actual time limit imposed, the changeover was gradual. 

The pictured aircraft of Flik 63/J, flown by, among others, Zgsf. Rudolf Nìmec, serves as an example of various interpretations. The rudder cross was 

instead located on the fin, and neither was the fuselage marking up to the prescribed standard. The red colouring on the rear section, 

the black and white stripes on the fuselage, and the black and white sunbursts on both sides of the wheel discs were Flik 63/J unit markings. The series 

number on the sides of the fuselage was scratched out. 

ALUMINIUM 


SAIL COLOUR 45 

WHITE 

Mc218 

H11 

62 

WOOD 

GREY 

Mc218 6 27 

33 H37 

43 

H53 

13 

H11 

62 

46 

H37 

43 

H53 

13 

38c+38d 

H85 

45 

32 


301 

H12 

33 

H301 

301 

RED 

H11 

62 

35 

H37 

43 

H301 

301 

5+37 

H12 

33 

H11 

62 

H13 

3 

H37 

43 

H85 

45 

5+37 33 27 

H13 

3 

BLACK 

H12 

33 

H11 

62 



31 

H301 

301 

H13 

3 

34 

Mc218 

46 

eduard 

9

C 

56 

H37 

43 

Mc218 

56 

21 

H85 

45 

253.36, Oblt. Othmar Wolfan, Flik 56/J, August 1918 

The personal aircraft of Othmar Wolfan displays another non-standard representation of the national insignia on Austro-Hungarian aircraft in the 

summer of 1918. While the upper surface crosses remained original, the crosses on the rudder were in different proportions than the aircraft before. 

The crosses under the wings were non-standard in their size and location. They were actually the same size and location as the original iron crosses. 

Othmar Wolfan gained his first and only kill flying this aircraft when, on August 1st, 1918, he downed a Sopwith Camel from 66 Sqd. RAF. On the 14th of 

September, 1918, he was severely injured in a crash, and sat out the rest of the war in a hospital bed. Othmar Wolfan was one of a few German pilots 

who, after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, served in the Czechoslovak Air Force. He entered service in July, 1919 as an Air Force 

Officer. He served, for the most part, with No. 9 Air Company and flew SPADs. He left the Czechoslovak army on January 31, 1921. 

10 

36 

11 


SAIL COLOUR 

45 

WOOD 

H53 

13 

H53 

13 

H85 

45 

10 

H37 

43 

21 

H85 

45 

GREY 

H53 

13 

H301 

301 

Mc218 

H37 

43 


301 

42 

H37 

43 

H37 

43 

22 

9 42 ? 41 

9 

Mc218 



H37 

43 

H85 

45 

22 

H53 

13 

H85 

45 

36 

11 

eduard

D 

56 

H37 

43 

Mc218 

56 

21 

H85 

45 

253.116, Oblt. Friedrich Navratil, Flik 3/J, Fall 1918 

Albatros 253.116 served as the second personal mount of Flik 3/J CO Oblt. Friedrich Navratil. Both aircraft carried virtually the same personal markings, 

and 253.06 is easily recognizable by virtue of its internal gun installation. 

253.116 represents typical Flik 3/J colouring, which included the ‘natural’ elements of the fuselage, upper sides of both wings and empanage being 

painted over in green and possibly also brown splotches. National insignia in October 1918 remained in their original iron cross guise. Note the use of 

the left wheel off of an Aviatik D.1 238.18. 

ALUMINIUM 

WOOD 

19 

H53 

13 

26 

14 


Mc218 SAIL COLOUR 45 

H37 

43 

GREY 

H53 

13 

21 

27 


301 

H301 

301 

H85 

45 

DARK GREEN H73 

23 

39 

20 

13 

H37 

43 

H85 

45 

13 40 27 

BROWN 

H72 

22 

Mc218 



20 

19 

eduard 

11

E 

56 

H37 

43 

Mc218 

56 

H303 

303 

H85 

45 

ALUMINIUM 

WOOD 

Albatros D.III (Oef) 253.116 Sgt., Adolf Blaha, November 1919 

On November 21, 1918, Zgsf. Adolf Blaha in Albatros 253.116, together with Stfw. Bela Mayer in Albatros 253.114 of Flik 3/J flew to Switzerland. Here, the aircraft 

remained interned, and the pilots released in the spring of 1919. Czechoslovakia was interested in acquiring the aircraft, and after almost a year of negotiating, was 

successful. However, 253.114 remained in Switzerland as compensation for the storage of both aircraft. On October 29, 1919, Blaha flew 253.116 to Plzeò, from 

where he continued on to Kbely in Prague on November 1st. Here, however, the aircraft was written off in a forced landing after engine failure, which was later 

installed into the only Czechoslovak Fokker D.VII(MAG) (Eduard Kit 1147). 

The aircraft appearance changed minimally, the removal of armament and the overpainting of the crosses on the tail and top wing. The bottom wing acquired 

Czechoslovak markings, likely with a thin red border. 

H303 

303 

H53 

13 

26 

14 

H303 

303 


Mc218 SAIL COLOUR 45 

H37 

43 

GREY 

H53 

13 

27 

LIGHT GREEN H303 

303 


301 

H301 

301 

H85 

45 

DARK GREEN H73 

23 

39 

43 

13 

H37 

43 

H85 

45 

13 40 27 

BROWN 

H72 

22 

Mc218 

43 

H303 

303 

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25 

17 

17 

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c EDUARD M.A.,2010 

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STENCIL VARIANTS 

28 

17 17 17 

17 

17 17 18 

3 

28 

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17 29 17 

17 

17 

3 

17 

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TOP SIDE 

17 

23 24 

3 3 

TOP SIDE 

17 

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www.eduard.com Printed in Czech Republic 

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BOTTOM SIDE 

3 

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E Albatros D.III (Oef) 253.116 Sgt., Adolf Blaha, November ... - Eduard

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