Udet's SSW D.III tailplane?

Mr_Flibble · 7 December 2005, 05:48 AM

After searching the forum for that particular bit of information about this aircraft, and failing, I see no other course of action but to call in your help on this one.

I'm currently working on the model (Eastern Express previously produced by TOKO), but I can't seem to find matching descriptions or photo's of this particular aircraft, when comparing it to what is suggested in the manual.

From what I got of the other topics is that the vertical stabilizer should be white (as opposed to all red proposed by the manual)

I'm pretty sure the uppersides of the elevators are red, but what about the underside? Was this also red or did it have the same lozenge pattern as the underside of the wings?

Any help would be appreciated,

Rick

Lyle · 7 December 2005, 10:15 AM

Hello Rick,

Udet's Siemens is like his D.VII Du Doch Nicht!!, it generates much discussion when the topic pops up here. One view is that the entire aircraft was painted red, top and bottom, with the exception of the rudder which was white. The other view is that the fuselage, stab, elevator (top and bottom) and cowling were red while the wings remained in lozenge finish and the struts were bare aluminum.

I'm no fan of Eastern Express' lozenge colors, you might want to try the Eagle Strike 5-color stuff, if you choose the lozenged version. Take yer pick, either all-red or partially, both are popular with modelers. Hope this helps!

Lyle

Mr_Flibble · 7 December 2005, 10:26 AM

Thanks Lyle,

I have already acquired some FCM Lozenge decals for the wings.
I'll settle for the completely red elevators and fuselage, white rudder and red/aluminium struts.

It kind of puts my mind at ease

So if Udet never flew this aircraft in combat, when did he actually fly it and to what purpose?

Regards,

Rick

Dan_San_Abbott · 7 December 2005, 11:12 AM

Mr.Flibble:
Oblt. Udet's SSW D.III was over painted all red, except the rudder, which was white. I wish to refer you to "SSW D.III-D.IV", Windsock Datafile 29, by Peter M.Grosz. Inside the front cover illustrating Udet sitting in his machine. I clearly shows the left lower wing is over painted red. Turn to page 16, top photo, This is Oblt. Udet's SSW.D.III 8350/17 at Metz Airfield in October1918, along side is a Jasta 4 late production Fok.D.VII. The entire aircraft is painted red top to bottom, except for the rudder. I have a colored drawing of machine in 5 views, 1/72 scale. Price is $13.50 post paid. Check OK.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Mr_Flibble · 7 December 2005, 11:01 PM

Ah, physical proof more or less.

Thanks for that Dan-San, I'll have to look into it.

Regards,

Rick

greenknight · 8 December 2005, 06:06 AM

Rick,

Here is a photo of Udet in his S-S "LO!" at Rosebud's site in case you don't have the printed reference:

http://www.earlyaviator.com/archive/...det_SSW_LO.jpg

Mr_Flibble · 8 December 2005, 07:10 AM

Excellent Greenknight!

My knownledge of analyzing colors on black/white photographs is limited to what I find on this forum, But I can make out the light color of the rudder and the single color of the underside of the top wing...

Great help. Knowing my luck with lozenge decals this definitely simplifies things

Regards,

Rick

RAGIII · 17 December 2005, 11:38 PM

Just to add to the confusion

Dr. Merrill of Americal Gryphon Decals references a photo of the Port side, and says that the LO marking was not applied. I can not vouch for this not having seen this Photo.

RAGIII

Lyle · 19 December 2005, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAGIII

Just to add to the confusion

Dr. Merrill of Americal Gryphon Decals references a photo of the Port side, and says that the LO marking was not applied. I can not vouch for this not having seen this Photo.

RAGIII

Howdy RAGIII,
There are in fact TWO photos showing the port side of this plane in the Datafile, on page 14 and 16 (top) minus the Lo! decoration. In fact these photos were thought to be of other planes and other locations but by the hangars in the background it was definitely pinned down to Jasta 4, and they had only one SSW D.III at any time...
HTH,
Lyle

RAGIII · 19 December 2005, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyle

Howdy RAGIII,
There are in fact TWO photos showing the port side of this plane in the Datafile, on page 14 and 16 (top) minus the Lo! decoration. In fact these photos were thought to be of other planes and other locations but by the hangars in the background it was definitely pinned down to Jasta 4, and they had only one SSW D.III at any time...
HTH,
Lyle

Thanks, Much to my chagrin I have the photos in the Data File, and I think at least one other source

RAGIII