Fokker Cowling

deljon · 10 August 2006, 01:01 PM

A simple question (I hope) for those of you in the know.
How was the inside of the rotory cowling painted? A couple of us were wandering if it was just primered like the fuse. tubing or was it painted the factory olive like the outside.
Also the units that repainted the cowling, would they have repainted the inside also.
Thanks much.

Del

StephenLawson · 10 August 2006, 06:43 PM

Fok. Dr.I rotary engine cowlings were primered.

Langdon · 10 August 2006, 07:29 PM

deljon,

I'm not sure they were painted on the inside. Photographs showing the firewall of rotary powered Fokker aircraft tend to suggest that there was no paint applied to their surfaces; if these were not painted then there is a fair chance that the inside of the cowling's were also bare.

I think there would be little need to paint them, certainly when in use they would be covered in Castor oil and so would not corrode.

Langdon

StephenLawson · 10 August 2006, 08:24 PM

See: Cross & Cockade Intl. 31 #2 2000 “Photos & Combat Log of Jasta 14."

Langdon · 10 August 2006, 09:56 PM

Stephen,

Unfortunately I do not have this article. Can you give me a precise please?

Langdon

StephenLawson · 12 August 2006, 03:46 PM

Photos in the article shows Jasta 14 packing up to move. Replacement components for Albatros D. and Fokker Dr.I types are seen in plain site.

Langdon · 12 August 2006, 07:30 PM

And the cowlings look to be painted on the inside do they?

Dan_San_Abbott · 12 August 2006, 07:56 PM

StephenLawson:
Steve, I agree with Langdon, if they were primed, painted or whatever they would be harder to clean after flight. The bare aluminum would be easier. Langdon, what kind of cleaner would you need to use to remove the ersatz castor oil? That could tell us.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Langdon · 12 August 2006, 08:29 PM

Dan-San,

I do not know the answer to that question. I do not even know what they used to clean Castor oil away with in those days.

There are photos that show Dr.I and E.V firewalls to good effect, they do not seems to be painted and if this is the case then there would be no need to paint the inner surface of the cowl, that's my guess anyway.

Langdon

deljon · 15 August 2006, 05:11 PM

Thanks for the input all. I think I'll leave the inside of my 1/3 scale cowl unpainted.

Del