German,Third Reich c.1938, Original Photograph Deutsche Luft Hansa Civil Aircraft, Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor A-0, Werk-Nr 2994, D-ARHW “Friesland”, with Frame
£45.00
Original late-1930s photograph of a Deutsche Luft Hansa Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor A-0, Werk-Nr 2994, likely the aircraft later registered D-ARHW “Friesland”.
*German,Third Reich c.1938, Original Photograph Deutsche Luft Hansa Civil Aircraft, Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor A-0, Werk-Nr 2994, D-ARHW “Friesland”, with Frame*
Original black and white period photograph showing a Focke-Wulf Fw 200 “Condor” four-engined long-range transport aircraft in Deutsche Luft Hansa civil livery, photographed on the ground with crew present beside the boarding ladder. The tail is clearly marked FOCKE-WULF CONDOR, with the Lufthansa crane emblem and swastika national marking, and below this the inscription Fw200 Werk-Nr. 2994 / A-0, identifying the aircraft as one of the early pre-production Condors built in the late 1930s.
The fuselage registration reads D-A?HW, the middle letter partly obscured, consistent with production records for Werk-Nr 2994, later recorded in Lufthansa service as D-ARHW. A small marking “FR” is visible beside the cabin door, and the position of the open door likely obscures part of the aircraft name, suggesting the machine may be the Condor later known as “Friesland,” although the full name is not visible in the photograph.
The photograph is printed on Velox photographic paper, with red reference number 151 to the reverse, and is presented in a later gilt frame. The repeated oval “Velox” watermark is characteristic of Kodak Velox paper widely used between the 1920s and 1940s, supporting the print as an original period photograph dating to the late 1930s or early wartime years.
Approx. Measurements – Photograph: 11.1 cm wide × 7 cm high. Frame: 13 cm × 10.5 cm.
History Note:
The Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor was one of the most advanced long-range aircraft of the late 1930s, originally designed as a trans-Atlantic airliner for Deutsche Luft Hansa. Early A-0 series aircraft such as Werk-Nr 2994 formed part of the small pre-production batch used for passenger and transport service before the type was adapted for military use.
Condors of this period were capable of very long-distance flights, and the type became famous after a Condor completed the first non-stop Berlin–New York flight in 1938. During the Second World War the design was developed into the well-known long-range transport and maritime patrol aircraft used by the Luftwaffe.
Production records indicate that Werk-Nr 2994 later carried the registration D-ARHW in Luft Hansa service, and aircraft of this identity are recorded as remaining in transport use during the war. One aircraft of this registration was lost on 29 November 1944 during a flight from Berlin to Stockholm after being fired upon by a German patrol vessel near the Swedish coast, giving surviving photographs of these early civil Condors particular historical interest.
*Condition*
Original period photograph with light age toning, minor marks and handling wear consistent with age. Reverse with Velox paper watermark and red reference number. Frame with surface wear and scratches. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
