Pfalz D.III/D.IIIa wing

[SCMc]

Dan_San and Ronny Bar have both been kind enough to post several of their profiles in the Gallery section. They show a false rib near the aileron control horn the on the top wing of a Pfalz D.IIIa or Pfalz D.III respectively. The wing structure drawing in "Flight" (Aug. 15, 1918) does not show a false rib at this location. I know that both Dan_San and Ronny Bar do a lot of research for their drawings, but does someone know for sure whether or not this false rib was there?

Steve McCarty

[Leatherhead]

Steve,

The "Flight" report I have from May 25, 1918 does not show a false rib either. I also have drawings by Hennel. The false rib is not there. I have not seen the profiles you mention, so cannot comment. I can only say the two sources I have don't show a false rib.

[Pfalz-Scout]

Hallo SCMc,

I think you are right. There is an mistake in the profiles. There can not be a false rib, because there is the interplane strut fitting and the compression tube installed on the upper wing spar.

Fofor reference see attached pictures.

On the photo of the crashed DIII is no rib visible near the aileron control horn.

Best Regards
Pfalz-Scout

[YavorD]

Pfalz D.III 4184/17 G.141 on display at Agricultural Hall in Islington, London.
Picture published in Windsock Datafile 7, page 21.

[SCMc]

Leatherhead, Pfalz-Scout and Yavor,

Thank you for your posts.

Steve

[Albatros_Ace]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm