Fokker E.III serial number F5 flown by Joachim Buddecke. It is said to have been German serial number 345/15, though Turkish records suggest it was originally 340/16. This aircraft was flown by Buddecke in both 5nci and 12nci Boluks in 1916 and 1917. The new Ottoman serial number F5 might have been added later in the machine’s career. It was covered in white fabric painted with very small black dots giving an overall grey appearance. Front fuselage and cowling covered in beaten aluminium

Fokker E.III 36/16, folded ready for transport. This aircraft was the first Fokker monoplane, and the first fighter, delivered to the Ottoman Air Force. It was probably photographed before or during delivery. Once in Turkey it was given the Ottoman serial number F1, but was destroyed in a landing accident before becoming operational.

Another photograph of Buddecke, probably with Fokker E.III 340/16. There is no sign of the Ottoman Air Force serial number F5 on the border of the fuselage national marking, so perhaps this picture was taken shortly after the machine arrived in June 1916.

An Ottoman Fokker E.III in flight, showing the position of the underwing national markings. These, like the markings in other positions, consisted of black squares painted directly over the German black crosses worn by the aircraft before delivery to Turkey.

Joachim Buddecke with his favourite Fokker E.III. This is said to have been serial number 345/15, though Turkish records suggest it was really 340/16 (Ottoman serial number F5). It appears here still with its barely legible German serial number. The Ottoman number would normally have been added in small lettering on the white outline of the black square on the fuselage

A line-up of Halberstadt D.IIIs. The original photograph shows the serial number HK14 on the engine cowling, which would indicate that it formed part of the 2nd Boluk in 1917. There is no sign of an Ottoman serial number on the fuselage or tail national markings. The addition of a letter ‘P’ to the fuselage was an extremely rare example of an Ottoman aircraft being given some form of individual identification mark.

A Halberstadt D.III in Ottoman markings. This particular machine appears to have the clear doped fabric normally associated with earlier versions of the Halberstadt fighter.

An Ottoman Air Force Halberstadt D.III with part of its lower wing fabric torn away. The Halberstadt fighter was noted for its ability to dive long and fast without structural damage.

Enlarged detail of the serial number HK14 on the engine cowling of a Halberstadt D.III.

A Halberstadt D.III of the Ottoman Air Force. The fact that the underwing national marking of a black square lacks the distinctive white border seen on the tail and fuselage suggests that the upper surfaces of these machines was painted the same dark green and reddish brown seen on the Western Front