Proctor E-III, 2nd try

josef scott · 11 March 2010, 08:51 PM

Hi John,

The E.III had 2 lower panels.

A chin panel extended from the front edge of the fuselage frame, aft to the lower cross-member that supports the undercarriage/suspension. This piece has cut-outs to go around the bungee cords and overlaps the next lower panel. As well as the 2 nuts per side on the lower longerons, a single central Fokker nut held it in place against the cross-member.

The second panel is much the same as what you have fabricated. However, the layout is a bit different. The control column extends through the center of the large rectangular aperture. The aft portion is shaped to go underneath the wing-storage bar which is bolted to the lower longerons, having a "U" appearance when seen from the side. The sides are bent up to provide attachment via 2 Fokker nuts per side. The manner in which the panel is cut at the rear allows the "folded-up" section to pass over top of the storage bar.

The "door" is actually a "deflector" panel, which is riveted to the rear of the chin panel, not the flat bottom panel. On the attached photo, you can also see a "V" shaped stiffening wire on the chin panel, underneath the deflector. Although this photo is a detail of Fokker E.I 13/15 and the dimensions are slightly different, the layout is the same.

john cole · 12 March 2010, 07:27 AM

Josef;

Very, VERY interesting. I have some questions then. Are the suspension bungees not covered with either of the lower panels? Would they be visible if viewed from the bottom? Also, what purpose does the deflection panel serve? Perhaps to shield the bungee area? What do the bracing wires do?

One thing I got right: I made two panels to cover the bottom!!

I would call this a 'happy accident'.

I really appreciate the input, and thank you again for the information. I am taking notes for the future.

John

josef scott · 12 March 2010, 08:26 PM

Hi John,

The bungee cords are not covered and would be visible from underneath. The E.IV did have them covered, but not the previous types.

I cannot say for certain what the purpose of the "deflector" panel was, but it only appears on Eindeckers that have the rectangular aperture in the bottom panel, that is to say, not on the Fokker A.I or A.II. Therefore, I would guess that it serves to re-direct the airflow away from this large hole in the bottom of the fuselage, perhaps to minimize the castor oil coming in.

Which bracing wires?

Do you have the Pfalz E.I-E.VI Datafile? In the foreground of photo #7 is a Fokker E.I with the chin panel removed and sitting beside the aircraft, right-side-up. It gives a pretty good idea of how it looks, including the attached heel-plates and deflector panel.

john cole · 18 March 2010, 06:02 PM

Thank you Josef. The bracing wire I referred to should have been called a stiffening wire, my mistake.

Well, I've gone ahead with making the panels as shown in my resource material, even though it is clear that there are some contradictions. In the competition arena that I enter, the model must match documentation supplied by the modeler. If the published documents show a detail, then the model should have it too. The irony is that there are many mistakes in published three-views and drawings, but that's what we have to work with.

I will push on with my project, using my Ian Stair drawing as my primary document, accepting the good... with the bad...

I weathered the model using artist's chalk and newspaper, then sealed everything with polyurethane (for fuel proofing).

Next up is finishing the radio installation, upper cowl and details, engine break-in.

John

josef scott · 18 March 2010, 09:27 PM

Hi John,

Sorry to hear about having to conform to presently published conventions. One day soon...

It is looking fine, though! Keep the updates coming.

I'm not certain of the purpose of the stiffeners - my guess being that they prevent the panel from deforming, due to...? Photos on pgs. 22 & 23 in "Fokker Fighters D.I-D.IV" clearly show this method still in use on the D.II.

Breguet · 10 April 2010, 06:58 PM

Hi John,

How's the project going? What are you doing for the metal walk-ways on the wings?

john cole · 2 May 2010, 08:01 AM

Breguet, all;

I finally completed my A-III, and it flys very well. It was a fun model to construct, and it is such an interesting study. While I did try to add as many scale enhancements and details as my skills allowed, it is very clear to me that I've only scratched the surface with my project. One thing I've learned: the Fokker E-series were rather complex airplanes, often misunderstood.

Thank you all for the input and encouragement. I hope the model does well on the contest circuit.

John

john cole · 2 May 2010, 08:03 AM

More construction pictures:

john cole · 2 May 2010, 08:06 AM

First flight was May 1. This design flys very well.

John

josef scott · 2 May 2010, 09:40 AM

Hi John,

She looks great!

The added details do make a difference. I really like the Oberursel, the Schwarzlose and the pilot. The finish is also very convincing, particularly the "swirls" on the cowling. BTW, good choice on the fabric colour!

Any chance of seeing some video on YouTube?