Q: On Udet's DR-1 ...

Laserlloyd · 26 January 2007, 06:15 AM

Hi all:

Here is an earlier photo of 568/17 before Udet flew it.

Dr1_586-17_01.jpg

I'm know that this is a touchy issue but until we have the fabric to examine we can just take an educated guess. I would like to believe Dan-San color scheme for it would be a more colorful paint scheme.

Look at it this way, the bible is still open to different interpretation and we have to just pick one. The same is true here. A more controversial issue would to put this to an actual test of takeing a photo of an plane with the two different color schemes and Yes use both types of films to see the difference. I know that this has been addressed on other color issues here. I just think that we now should be able to prove with modern techniques. Since I not verse in Photography is there some type of color spectrum analysis that can be used that would help?

I for one respect both color schemes and except that.. That should be good enough for us all because it all come down to INTERPRETATION.

Lloyd...

womenfly2 · 26 January 2007, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southside Bucky

You misconstrue my words madam...I was merely saying that in my opinion Udet's stripey triplane was black & white, not red and blue.

Sorry if I offended you.

Regards.

Bucky.

No offence taken .... it was me who read it with misunderstanding. Your Opinion was well welcomed. I too believed it was B&W only because ... it looks better to me that way. Not to scientific is it.

Thanks,
WF2

dpolglaze · 26 January 2007, 07:04 AM

WomenFly2 wrote:

Quote:

B&W only because ... it looks better to me that way

... and that's what really matters, since (no offense meant to anyone) no one really knows.

I was going to suggest purple and orange, but that does seem right out.

Dan

womenfly2 · 26 January 2007, 07:34 AM

So are we talking about a color scheme like this ... only a model. The colors only, I believe the overall interpretation and application of the scheme is not correct.

Comments?

Taz · 26 January 2007, 08:30 AM

WF2- This is an area where the majority of enthusiasts disagree with Dan-San and believe the stripes were black and white. This includes the tailplane where black and white stripes top and bottom were Jasta 6 colors. The photos of 586/17 clearly show the large access panels on the fuselage sides to allow access to rotary engine components. These panels were characteristic of Jasta 6 Dr.Is. Jasta 4 inherited most of their Dr.Is from Jasta 6 when that unit transitioned to D.VIIs. Hallmark makes a nice diecast model of the black and white striped Dr.I. Kirchstein flew the black and white striped Dr.I at Jasta 6 and also painted his later D.VIIs with black and white stripes. He called his aircraft so painted "optical illusions" and claimed they threw off enemy aim.

Taz
Terry Phillips

drIace · 26 January 2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by womenfly2

So are we talking about a color scheme like this ... only a model. The colors only, I believe the overall interpretation and application of the scheme is not correct.

Comments?

A photo of that same scale model Tripe but taken by B & W film and it appeared as Black and White ( just a slight discernable shade from the white of the cross) in a modeling magazine. Exactly as DSA 's rational.

womenfly2 · 29 January 2007, 05:26 AM

Q: Lets assume the color scheme on Udet's "Optical Illusion" DR-1 is as per Dan San Abbott interpretation. Bright Red and Light blue stripes.

Can anyone give me an approximate guide to match the colors of the Bright Red and Light blue that would have been used, to.

Bright Red like MvR DR-1 and Light Blue like the underside of the Triplane? The tail too?

Again, thanks for all your help on this highly debated and opinionated topic.

The intent was not to stir the fire here, just fact gathering and historical curiosity.

WF2

crankcase · 29 January 2007, 05:51 AM

i like this reference, as it conjures up images of a flying escher diagram (how do you apply deflection shooting to such a target?).

one marvels at the imagination of german pilots in WW1 and their superiors, who would have had to approave in principle the painting of fighters-- quite surprising given the conservative military upbringing they were exposed to.

are there any good books/studies on german cadet/officer training? i understand that personal initiative was emphasized and that an officer was qualified to take command one grade above his own (ensuring operational flexibility and continuity).
crankcase

papermache · 29 January 2007, 07:28 AM

WF2,
Addressing your desire as to the colors IF Dan San is correct, I would have to concur with a bright red a`la MVR, and the light blue as on the underside. Of course, the exact shade of red used by MVR is open to a lot of conjecture and argument as well.
Personally, I go with the black and white scheme. As far as white contrasting, I think that a bright, freshly painted white could contrast with a weathered white which may have been several shades darker from being lightly applied over the olive brown "streaking". Sorry, Dan San, but I must respectfully disagree.

papermache

Intrepid · 29 January 2007, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by womenfly2

Q: Lets assume the color scheme on Udet's "Optical Illusion" DR-1 is as per Dan San Abbott interpretation. Bright Red and Light blue stripes.

Can anyone give me an approximate guide to match the colors of the Bright Red and Light blue that would have been used, to.

Bright Red like MvR DR-1 and Light Blue like the underside of the Triplane? The tail too?

Again, thanks for all your help on this highly debated and opinionated topic.

The intent was not to stir the fire here, just fact gathering and historical curiosity.

WF2

Hello all,

On my copy of Dan's drawing of Fokker Dr.I 586/17 , the Methuen codes he quotes are :

Dark Red , 11C8

Pale Turquoise , 24A3.

Dan notes these are approximates based on the study of photographs of this aircraft.

Hope this is of help.

Marlon Schultz