Did Udet paint chevrons on the underside?

davecww1 · 9 April 2006, 09:30 AM

Quick question. There are several photos of Udet's DR.1 and later on several of his D.VII aircraft where he painted a white chevron on the upper side of the horizontal tailplane. Anyone know if he painted this on the bottom as well? The decals in the Roden kit give an upper chevron and the lower chevron for 1 side only, seems highly unlikely to me. (this was on the Du Doch Nicht!! markings) The aircraft that I'm building is his later Fok. D.VII (OAW) 2076/18. Not sure if this ever had the white paint on the underside of the tailplane.
If anyone knows for sure (or even has a good idea) let me know.
Thanks,
Dave

Taz · 9 April 2006, 03:01 PM

Dave- We are still fighting about the upper side, but I would bet (one good scan or four good German beers) the bottom was factory fresh.

Taz
Terry Phillips

Gregvan · 9 April 2006, 04:31 PM

Hi Dave,

I would agree with Taz. I doubt that the white chevron appeared on the underside of Udet's OAW-built lozenge-fabric D.VII or on "Du doch nicht!!" either.

By the way, none of the photos of the lozenge-fabric D.VII show the prop at all, so your guess is as good as mine about that.
Greg

davecww1 · 9 April 2006, 05:17 PM

Thanks Taz and Greg.
Underside will remain plain lozenge. I'll probably play it safe and go with an Axial prop, since it appears that the majority of D.VII's had these.
Dave

Dan_San_Abbott · 9 April 2006, 06:12 PM

Dave:
Not to disagree with Taz and Greg, but based on his previous aircraft, his Alb.D.III and his Alb D.V at Jasta 37, they were painted on the underside of the tailplane and fuselage. I would expect he would continue the practice. The underside of most tailplanes had the Jasta markings, for grins, take a look at the Jasta 5 books. Numbers or letters under the lower wings, the rear fuselage and tail over painted on both sides, Jasta 4, 6, 10 and 11, all of Jage Nr.2 Jastas. I would be very surprized if Udet did not paint the under side of the tail with a chevron. This is my opinion,and they have expressed their opinions. Do whatever makes your boat float!
Blue skies,
Dan-San

davecww1 · 9 April 2006, 07:27 PM

Thanks for the info Dan San.
An axial prop and light gray-green control horns. Since I only have a decal for the upper chevron, I think I will go with the upper side only. When I eventually get to the Du Doch Nicht!! version I will definately use the red and white on both sides, but I tink this will be safe on the unpainted version. If not 100% accurate, it could represent this aircraft at the moment before the stripes on the undersides were actually painted!
Thanks,
Dave

Dan_San_Abbott · 9 April 2006, 07:40 PM

Dave:
the whole purpose of the unit anmd personal markings was for recognition in the air but also from the ground. Side and upper marking do not register well from the ground, ot for that matter from below in the air. Take a look at RFC/RAF markings, top,side and bottom, same with USAS markings.
Blue skies,
Dan-San