Olham 164 Posted July 19, 2009 (edited) http://www.eads.com/1024/de/eads/history/a...tros_D_III.html Just had a look at Albatros DII pictures at the EADS site again, and found, that the OFF modellers and skinners have done a good job here, too. Here is one picture, where it looks like the fuselage is shaded darker above the mid line, and also mottled. The cowling looks painted in a bright colour. And below the cowling, the nose looks darker than the rest of fuselage (can't be a shadow, as sun comes from above left nose side). Does any one of the skinners know more about that? Edited July 19, 2009 by Olham Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DerMo 0 Posted July 19, 2009 Yes i also noticed that on the famous`Red Heart`Albatros of Werner Voss.Sadly i forgot where i found this pic on the net. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JFM 18 Posted July 19, 2009 Hello, The "mottling" is not paint but wrinkles in the wood that alter light and shadow. On the nose, as the curve rounds down toward the ground there is less reflected light so it appears darker in the photograph. Both these machines are shown in standard factory appearance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DerMo 0 Posted July 24, 2009 A bit late but i found it again: There is something behind the nose that looks exactly like on Olhams pic.Dont think its because of wrinkles but i have no idea what it could be.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted July 24, 2009 Here are some great close up illustrations from James F. Miller's books ACE PROFILES; showing Albatros and other WW1 craft. That bowed thing in front of the lower wing is a metall protection plate. http://images.google.de/imgres?imgurl=http...N%26start%3D108 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duce Lewis 3 Posted July 25, 2009 That bowed thing in front of the lower wing is a metall protection plate. It looks like a simple fairing to blend the wing to the fusalage Good aerodynamic performance and all that Maybe some structural support too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JFM 18 Posted July 25, 2009 Yes, Duce, that's what it is. The D.IIIs were slab-sided along the lower wings so the fairings eased the transition from the straight portion of the fuselage to the rounded portions and reduced interference drag. The D.V and D.Va did not have the slab sides and thus utilized stubby wing roots instead, and the fairings were not needed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bullethead 12 Posted July 25, 2009 The "mottling" is not paint but wrinkles in the wood that alter light and shadow. I disagree. The dark streak on the fuselage side from the cockpit back is where the pilot habitually spits tobacco juice . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted July 25, 2009 Good info, thanks JFM! Tch - Bullethead! That's like your story about that Absinth-device in the SPAD! (Lol!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites