Did Fokker E.III wing battens really exist?

spandau · 11 July 2006, 10:23 AM

I've read two different sources that disagree on the use of external split reed battens to hold the fabric in place on the wings of the Fokker E.III. One source actually gives dimensions for the material while the other, "FOKKER E.III In Detail", states that they are not correct. Can anyone explain this discrepancy? Thanks.

Regards,
Spandau

Dan_San_Abbott · 11 July 2006, 03:42 PM

Spandau:
I suggest you look for yourself. You can see them in photographs. Whoever wrote "The E.III in Detail" is not well informed. The Fok.M.5 was a derivation of the Morane G with many inprovements. One thing that Fokker stayed with was the method of securing the fabric to the ribs.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

spandau · 18 July 2006, 06:41 AM

Dan-San,

That's interesting. I've seen some pictures where its not obvious one way or the other. Did you get the dimensions from a document, or do you have first hand measurements from an original piece?

Regards,
Spandau

Dan_San_Abbott · 18 July 2006, 11:00 AM

spandau:
In photographs they appear to be the same width as the ribs. The width of the ribs was determined by blowing up a photograph of the E.III wing panel in 1/10 scale. All dimensions were derived from this photo. The battens were 10mm half round.
Blue skies
Dan-San

AeroClassics · 18 July 2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan_San_Abbott

spandau:
In photographs they appear to be the same width as the ribs. The width of the ribs was determined by blowing up a photograph of the E.III wing panel in 1/10 scale. All dimensions were derived from this photo. The battens were 10mm half round.
Blue skies
Dan-San

Good stuff! Thanks. Something I need to consider for the 1/4 scale model project. That makes the 2.5mm in 1/4 scale, yes?

Doug