Looking for detailed D.V/Va construction drawings

[Dave_Watts]

Okay Rex,

My brain synapses finally started firing and I remembered Al's last name, it's Celvebar. I think you can see why it's not so easy to remember. :P

E-mail Fred Murrin at his work address, (no home computer yet), and he will give you Al's particulars. Use me as a reference to Fred.

Fred Murrin E-mail Address:

MURRIFL@WERNERCO.COM

Now I'll go look for that publication with the Alb. D.Va restoration photos from Australia in it. :

Best,
Dave W.

Thanks Dave, I very much appreciate your help!

8)

[Bushrod]

Rex-as I mentioned earlier I am not a builder/flyer-just an fan of the Albatros(which takes a beating on the forum). Anyway I remembered an ad for a static model of the D-Va,1:16. It is not meant to be covered, and seems to give a good idea of the structure; claims to have 4 pages of blueprint quality plans and it's meant for display, not flying. It's pricey-$120, but if nothing else surfaces, it may be worth a try. The company is Model Expo at http://www.modelexoinc.com. I have the Smithsonian book and it points out that some old footage of the factory indicates that the fuselage was skinned with 4 pieces of pre-moulded ply-2 sides, top, and bottom, at least on the D-V. This was supposed to speed/simplify construction, I guess, in contrast to the D-III.The book makes the point that the Germans knew the V was hardly an improvement in quality, but they hoped the faster construction would give them quantity. Also it was easy to fly, for that era(as long as those wings stayed on!)

[charles]

The Mikesh book on the Smithsonian's restoration of the Albatros D.Va. is a good reference, but bear in mind that the book has the wrong set of Bob Waugh's blueprints. The in the book was a draft set and the final set never made it into the book, which is much more accurate, according to Bob.

You could try to find the final Bob Waugh drawings and might ask Colin Owers if he can help you locate them.

Another excellent source on the Smithsonian restoration and all thingsAlbatros D.Va. if Frank Garove of Baltimore Maryland. Frank was an observer of the restoration work and made many very detailed drawings of parts before they were restored. He spent a Saturday with me last Spring measuring my Albatros parts. Bob's and Frank's drawings would be invaluable for any restoration.

Thanks for the help Bushrod! *8)

I checked the link (you're missing the "p" in expo on the URL BTW), and I've just ordered the kit you mentioned. Even if it doesn't provide much useful information for my replica project, it's a beautiful model of one of my favorite aircraft.

The Albatros may not have been much in a dogfight, but it is a great looking airplane with flight characteristics that should make it a great Sunday flyer. I wouldn't want something like a Camel or Triplane that will wind up in a spin if I sneeze. *

You could try to find the final Bob Waugh drawings and might ask Colin Owers if he can help you locate them. *

Okay, this is the second mention of Colin Owers in this thread. Who is he, and how can I contact him?

[DJ]

The kit being mentioned was produced from Wylam drawings. It is not very accurate in the fuselage cross section. I have seen several models produced from these drawings and they always give the plane what liken to the look of a 50lb over weight man. I have seen the model in the adds and doesn't look so bad do to the lack of skin. Just wanted to tell you of this fact though.

Thanks for the heads-up DJ.

It sounds like I'll wind up cutting my own formers to correct the model's fuse cross section.

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Gentlemen:
The Albatros Werke used that method of covering the fuselage with plywood starting with the at least the Alb.B.I. The plywood panels were precut and joined with a scarf splice. When the panels were to cover a compound curved surface, they were joined and glue together on a male mold and strapped in place until dry. The panels were fastened to the fuselage with glue, brad, and screws. This method was used on Albatros wood fuselages to the Alb.J.II.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[charles]

Rex,

I just sent you his email address.

Charley