First World War WWI 1914-1918 Aviation Art Print showing the Fokker D.VII Aces Goering, Gabriel & Udet from an Original Aviation Painting by Artist Roger H. Middlebrook GAvA

After the death of Manfred Von Richthofen, Hermann Goering was given command of Jagdgeshwader 1. The famous ‘Flying Circus’ was to operate Fokker D.VII by the end of the war, Goering’s own white Fokker D.VIIF being the main subject of this painting. Under Goering’s leadership, the unit boasted a number of notable aces.

Here he is seen in company with the D.VII’s of Ernst Udet and Willi Gabriel, two of the units foremost pilots. While Udet was to have numerous successes under Goering’s leadership, Gabriel and his leader did not see eye-to-eye. This resulted in Gabriel’s banishment after two unauthorised sortie’s during which he shot down four French aircraft.

Such was Gabriel’s prowess in the cockpit that in the 1930s he flew a reproduction Fokker Dr.I in two motion pictures.

Roger. H. Middlebrook’s painting shows the clean lines of the D.VII and the diverse colour schemes in use by the end of war