Looking for detailed D.V/Va construction drawings

I have seen 2 full size flying Albatros D.Va replicas (one in photos only), but have been unable to locate construction plans.

Does anyone know of a source for plans, or detailed construction drawings of an original?

[dpcmodels]

Hello Rex,
* * * * * "Redfern Aviation" would have what you need. The Albatros construction was done by Walt Redfern and Bob
Sleep. The aircraft takes a 200 hp Ranger engine.

Another company you may want to try is "Leisure Sports
Replica Aircraft". Again this aircraft takes a Ranger engine
with options to convert the ranger engine to run upright.

Both these firms have had their airframes tested and meet the requirements of the FAA.

You can also contact Frank Ryder of the Guntersville,Alabama
Aerodrome. He would be able to give you more specific details.

I don't have their websites on hand but you can do a websearch to locate them. Good luck on your quest.

Dave *

Thanks Dave, you've been very helpful! 8)

[dpcmodels]

Rex,
Please allow me to make one correction. The Airframes meet or exceed the "EAA" regulations. Not the FAA as I stated
in the last post. Sorry about that.

Dave

I would highly recommend that you get a copy of "Albatros DVa: German Fighter of World War 1" by Robert C. Mikesh. (ISBN 0-87474-633-7)
It's published by the Smithsonian Institution Press, and documents the restoration of the Albatros DVa which is currently displayed at the National Air and Space Musuem in Washington, D.C.
It is chock full of wonderful construction details, close up photos, and paint information. I wouldn't consider attempting to built a replica without it.

Dean

[Ira_Silverman]

Dave;

Good advice, but a sad note.

Frank Ryder, his wife and son were killed a few years ago when his plane crashed (I believe on take-off) after leaving the Mayo Clinic where his son was being treated.

It was a sad day for all of us.

The Guntersville collection has since been sold off.

Best,

Ira

[Dave_Watts]

Hey Rex,

The idea of contacting Frank Ryder may be difficult, as Frank died in a civil aircraft crash picking his son up from the Mayo clinic after a tumor had been successfully removed from his pituitary gland in the brain. Frank crashed immediately after take-off with his son Scott, and his wife in his Cessna Malibu. I drove down to the funeral, and was on the board of directors of the First. Joe Gertler of the list was the director of the museum. We have continued the association Frank started under the name of the Great War Airplane Ass.

The Albatros was sold some years ago.

There is a buddy of mine over in PA building a full scale Alb. D.Va. He had it at the last Dawn Patrol fly-in at Dayton. Damned if his name has slipped my mind. It's Al something. His last name sounds French. He's good buddies with Fred Murrin. I'm sure I could put you in touch with him if you are interested.

Of course Colin Owers took a ton of photo of the Albatros D.Va down under in Australia. It seems to me I saw a bunch of photos of this same plane under restoration in a Albatros Data file.

Best,
Dave W.

[Dave_Watts]

Damn Ira, we must have both been typing on that one at the same time, but I was a little slower on hitting the send button, plus I was searching for Al's last name in old mail.

Best,
Dave W.

Thanks to all for all the additional info.

Dean - Thanks for the recommendation, it is out of print, but I've got the world wide web working overtime trying to sniff out a copy.

Dave Watts - I'd very much like to pick your friends brain. If you can come up with an email or snail mail address, feel free to contact me via email or private message.

[dpcmodels]

Ira,
Boy do I feel like an idiot!!! I should have remembered
that Frank was killed in that misshap. I remember reading
about it but it didn't click in my head when I did the post.
My sincere apologies to all who have responded to the post
:-[

I guess I'd better get my files and facts cought up to date.
Thanks again guys for the memory jolt. Much appreciated!!

Dave