SPAD VII strips

breda65 · 17 November 2008, 06:59 AM

All

Can anyone tell me what the stripes on the wings are? I first thought they were rib tapes but they are not on all the ribs. Any info would be helpful

[IMG]<a href="http://s403.photobucket.com/albums/pp118/slong60/?action=view&current=1917SPAD13_633ct.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp118/slong60/1917SPAD13_633ct.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG]

breda65 · 17 November 2008, 07:03 AM

here is the photo I was talking about.

BLOWHARD · 17 November 2008, 12:31 PM

I'd say they are repair rib tapes but that's a guess.

Albert Ball · 17 November 2008, 01:46 PM

They do look like they are for repairs, a pilot wouldn't but that many on just for looks. I'm stumped on this one and if i find more info i'll be sure to post it.

StephenLawson · 17 November 2008, 09:46 PM

They are normal factory applied tapes.

breda65 · 18 November 2008, 12:44 PM

What makes me believe they are something else is the symmetry. If they were repairs don't you thing they would be more sporadic?

BLOWHARD · 18 November 2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

They are normal factory applied tapes

So they only applied them to some ribs, not all? Or are you saying we can only see some of them?
If they were applied to only some ribs it seems as strange as symmetrically applied repairs

karrart · 18 November 2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLOWHARD

So they only applied them to some ribs, not all? Or are you saying we can only see some of them?
If they were applied to only some ribs it seems as strange as symmetrically applied repairs

Several sources comment on early Spads not having all the ribs taped. This was realized to not be a good thing and was later rectified. Plus, chances are there ain't stitches or knots under those few tapes but rather tacks.
Robert Karr
the card thingy RK’s Pfalzhood - Pfalz, Halberstadt, Nieuport, CAMEL!!! » They’re here

StephenLawson · 18 November 2008, 09:41 PM

In truth not all aircraft manufacturers had rib tapes on the outside covering of every rib. Case in point the Austrian Alb. D.III .53, 153. & 253. series. Especially evident with camouflage sworls.

Read 'Spad VII C.1' by Gronczewski & Fleischer , Aviatik Vintage Aircraft #1. See the additional images URL for the errata and addenda to this book.

Click here

davecww1 · 19 November 2008, 07:52 PM

Sure that's a Spad VII? Never saw one with rounded wingtips, my guess would be an early Spad XIII but I can't see the guns if there are 2 or 1. If it is really a VII then it must have experimental wings and maybe that's why the odd looking rib tapes.
Dave