Siemens-Schuckert D.III rib/edge tapes

MicroSculpt · 15 December 2009, 01:48 PM

Greetings!

I've been trying to determine from photos whether the SSW D.III had edge tapes all around. It seems that the should be there. But, they must have been very thin. In particularly, I've been looking at the leading edge of the wing.

Thanks!

Tom

MicroSculpt · 15 December 2009, 04:23 PM

There is a lovely SSW D.III build over on RC Universe. His wings sport blue gray tapes. Is that correct? I thought they were camo fabric.

Tom

bristol scout · 16 December 2009, 04:56 AM

All the photos. in the old 'Profile' no.86 show lozenge tapes Tom--and that is the ONLY ref. I think I have on the SSD111/1V----never a favourite of mine--can't say why.

Dave.

MicroSculpt · 16 December 2009, 06:13 AM

Hi, Dave!

Most photos I've seen show printed polygon tapes. But in some photos they seem lighter than the rest of the wing.

I have the WS Datafile #29. There are photos showing light rib tapes (D.III 8346/17, pg. 8), wings with printed polygon rib tapes (pg. 25, D.IV 3082/17) and even wings that appear to have no rib tapes (pg. 31, cockpit closeup showing portion of lower wing)!

Curious.

Tom

Dan_San_Abbott · 16 December 2009, 01:04 PM

Hi Microsculpt:
The rib tapes for the SSW D.III and SSW D.IV were five color printed fabric. Rib tape were 25mm wide and edge tapes were 50mm wide.
Merry Christmas Microsculpt,
Dan-San

MicroSculpt · 16 December 2009, 06:38 PM

Thank you, Dan-San.

A lot of the wings seem very dark. Almost as dark as the fuselage. Any chance it was the darker day pattern 5-color?

And a Merry Christmas to you as well! :-)

Tom

Dan_San_Abbott · 19 December 2009, 11:31 AM

Hi Tom:
A. When the SSW D.III was originally issued in early 1918 to Jasta 12, 13, 15 and 19, they were covered with the light pattern on top surfaces of the wings, elevator, rudder, wheel covers, cabane and interplane struts. The under surfaces of the wings and elevator were covered with plain unprinted fabric and plain tapes.

B. When the SSW D.III were reissued in August 1918, they were rebuilt and re-engined. The upper surfaces of the wings and elevator, rudder, wheel covers, cabane and interplane struts were covered with intermediate dark pattern printed fabric with matching taping. The under surfaces of the wings and elevator were covered with the light pattern with matching taping.

This discussion started with Ltn. Walter Gottsch's SSW D.III 8346/17, which was in the early SSW D.III configuration A above.

Merry Christmas Tom,
Dan-San