German World War I Pfalz D.XII Relic Display

Own an authentic piece of German World War I aviation technology. The Pfalz D.XII represented the peak of Imperial German fighter aircraft of the Great War - along with its better-known brother, the Fokker D.V. Both aircraft are extremely rare today and most survivors are rebuilt with newer materials. This piece of fuselage stringer bearing original paint and nails, is original to this Pfalz D.XII (serial number 2486/18) - one of two brought to the United States after the war (the other was s/n 7517/18). 

Each piece is paired with Ron Cole's original artwork of this aircraft in combat, with full history and provenance, in this 13x19-inch wall-hanging frame3d display. Each signed and numbered. 

Aircraft History:

After World War I, several German aircraft types were provided to the United States as a part of Germany's war reparations. Among those airplanes were two late-war Pfalz D.XII fighters, which, along with the Fokker D.VII, represented the most advanced aerial technology that the former enemy had to offer by 1918. One of these two D.XIIs (s/n 2486/18) was later purchased by George Burling Jarrett, who was the original pioneer of historic aircraft preservation and who went on to create the museum and library at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds (which now bear his name). Jarrett spent the next 30 years of his life laboring to preserve and display this aircraft, while loaning it to be used in various Hollywood films, including Howard Hughes's Hell's Angels.

By 1947, however, it had significantly deteriorated and much of it had been replaced by new material, wood and fabric. While it was later purchased by the National Air and Space Museum, Jarrett held on to much of the original material, especially from this aircraft's wings - including sections of the wing spars, metal fittings, and original linen.