Quote:
Originally Posted by gipsymoth236k
Well...
As posted elsewhere, I have an original Nieuport 28 C-1 fabric covered aileron, and it indeed has very small-edged pinked rib tapes over the aileron ribs...
Also, this original Fokker Dr.I rudder from 588/17 (w/n 2258) has frayed tape edges around its fabric reinforcing patch of the top hinge...
Regards, Gary Sewall
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Hi Gary,
I remember seeing your post about the Nieuport 28 C-1 aileron, and I would like to say, what an outstanding find! I didn't remember seeing any reference to small pinked rib tapes, and of course that is a very interesting fact! It is also very interesting because the blue, as Dan-San said looks to me as though it is a French blue. They were typically very light, such as applied to your aileron, and every other piece of evidence suggests to me that the US used Bitish VB2, or something similar to it. I say VB2 because the US entered the war relatively late, and I would assume that the British were using VB2 by this time. As I am sure we all know, VB2 was very dark, very similar to if not the same as WW2 British blue. I remember seeing a statement here on the Aerodrome that WW1 British blue was used until the 1930's, or at least the colour did not change until then. Still, VB2 was very dark, and I tend to believe that generally the US used dark blue generally. As you said in reply to Dan-San, the roundels are definitely US roundels, and of course you are correct, they are US roundels.
Wow, that Dr.1 rudder is a real find too! What a fantastic relic! Is it in a museum, or a private collection? Are you at liberty to say? Sorry about my ignorance, its' location is probably well known, but I didn't know about this particular Dr.1 rudder. WOW!
Jeff: I apologise if I am hijacking your thread, I certainly don't mean to! I love your work! It is very inspiring and is obviously being carried out meticulously and very authentically. I hope this side issue is of interest to you, and helps you in some way. After seeing Garys' photo of the Fokker triplane rudder, maybe frayed edges were used on reinforcing patches and tapes on WW1 German aircraft! It goes to show, you can never stop learining! I have often thought about reproduction WW1 aeroplane components, and I think there is a strong argument for not making reproduction parts exactly the same as the original parts. If fabric, for example was re produced too precisely, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible for future restorers, researchers and / or replica builders to tell the difference between original items and replica items.
Regards, David.