DJ's 1/4 scale Albatros DIII

[DJ]

Yes it was (my new DVa). I ended up second in masters class

DJ

[Bookmaker]

It took me a while to make the connection. Old age, I guess

That's great about your finish at TG. From what I saw you flew that bird like it was supposed to fly. My dad and I did not stay for the final couple of flights and awards, so we missed who placed where.

TG was real interesting this year. Where else would you have the Keystone Cops chasing a dog up and down the flight line?

Again, congrats on that great finish with your Alb.

Dale

[jtisch]

Thanks to everyone for their input!
One more request if I may. Does anyone have a picture of the tail end of the fuselage being framed up? I am having a little trouble imaging in my mind how the "star" goes together behind F-10.

I also found this color scheme.
www.feudal.cz/files/alb_153.93.jpg

You like?

J

[CTDavies]

Originally Posted by Mode One

This photo shows my 1/6th stand off scale Albatross DIII built in the mid 1980s. I used balsa sheeting, strips and blocks to cover the fuse. I sliced some panel lines and others are actual panels of balsa. The fuse was covered with silkspan and doped so the wood is pretty much natural. I did add some orange dope to clear to darken some of the panels. I also added some grain & knot texture by drawing it on. For the most part, I thought the color and natural balsa looked good enough. This color scheme has been somewhat disproved. There was a wavy lined DIII in Jasta 11; but, I guess it did not have the full red nose. The scheme was taken from the Squadron Signals Albatross book, which at the time was the only WW1 book available. The wings were covered with Silkspun Coverite, which I wish was still available!

That is a very handsome Albatros, Mode. Shame the image isn't a bit larger, but still looks very nice indeed. Tell us a bit more about it; is it a kit, built from plans, who's plans etc?
The Albatros D.III is one of my all time favorite airplanes. With the Red Baron movie coming in european theatres late this summer I should be cranking out 1/5th scale Jasta Albatros kits en masse, but so many projects, so little time

[DJ]

Hope this helps

[jtisch]

That does the trick! Thanks!

J

Chris, I used the Squadron Signals Book to draw up the plans. The plane was built from scratch, the plans were drawn with a pencil and freezer wrap paper. I actually purchased a spinner from a manufacturer advertizing in RCM, that was being made for the Albatros series of aeroplanes. The spinner's size was closest to 1/6th scale. Once I owned this, I simply had to build an airplane behind it and that's how it all got started. I flew it with an O.S. .60 Four Stroke. It was a bit under powered, but flew nicely and was a fun project. I used a Clark Y airfoil instead of undercambered airfoil as per the prototype.

I don't know why the thumbnail photo won't enlarge. It will do so, if you are willing to go to "My Gallery" at R/CU.

Here is a view from the rear. The horizontal stab and rudder were made using the cold molding process. A male form of the outline was made, the edges of the form waxed with soap and set atop waxed paper. Water soaked strips of 1/16th balsa were slathered with white glue and laid up against the form and held in position for 12-24 hours while the glue set and the moisture from all evaporated. It was found that the top portion of the rudder was prone to breaking from landing flip-overs and was simply repaired by making from sheet balsa. The molding process described has been explained by many and all have a different way of executing; but, the process works well and is not difficult to do.

[jtisch]

It looks like the Briggs engine will fit in fairly well. I'll just have to move the firewall back about 1/2". I have five big boxes full of wood in my shop but there was only one 1/4 in. square stick in the lot, so progress is at a standstill until Mr. UPS man shows up.
While checking the archives here at the the 'drome, one item I found interesting is that the Oeffag-built DIIIs may have had a 20cm wider chord on the bottom wing than the German DIIIs. That's just shy of 2 inches at 1/4 scale. What to do, what to do....

J

[jtisch]

After doing a broader search, the 20cm wing chord difference is (like so many things), not universally agreed upon. There may also be a 10cm difference in fuselage length, with the Oeffag version being longer. Wing gap is also different,but it is so small as to be indiscernible even at 1/4 scale.