Dan-San

Thought by using your name as a post topic I would attract your attention Dan-San . Because I thought you would be the authority to ask about this subject . I'm not into fakes or replica's , and I believe all the item's I have are genuine , but I've had an idea for something to go on the wall of my study for sometime and I know that getting the real thing is out of the question . I've always been drawn to the rudders that you see displayed in places like the I.W.M. in London and I would like to make and display one . Can you give me any idea's on what sort off fabric I should use to cover the fin . Also how to age it and during what stage this should be done . The correct colours and also dopes to use would be appreciated also . I guess a standard white rudder with the early German cross is what I imagine in my mind as the sort of thing I would like to make . I haven't thought much about type of aircraft to make it from , but I guess it would just depend on looking around for some demensions and plans .
Can you offer any advise please ?.
Phil.

While Dan-San is definitely the Man you might also want to take this up with the fellows in the "Replica Aircraft" section. Sounds like a fun project. Best of luck!

Thanks von Lemming , yeah I thought it would be a fun project . I've been doing a bit of snooping around and Achim sells Dr-I rudder plans for a good price , and I saw a place in the U.S. that sells reproduction WWI fabric , so that should be enough to get the ball rolling . Thanks for the tip about the replica room guy's , I'll be sure to pester them when the time is right . Dan-San must be a bit oppupied to reply ( or he thinks it's a dumb idea ) so I'll soldier on . I'm sure staining the material can't be that difficult ..the wife reckons I'm a expert at getting stains on my shirts , so maybe I just wear the fabric out to dinner one night ??....~grins~.
cheers .
Phil.

[Dan_San_Abbott]

BlackSeptember1918:
* *Phil, I think it is a good idea to add to the decoration of den. I would carefully research the "rudder project" so that it is technically correct in appearance. *And please, Identify it as a reproduction, so some one does not get suckered in later. *I would be glad to be of help.
1. German fabric was rather course fabric when compared to the British and French fabrics. *The threads per inch was 50 to 55. The Linen fabric weight about 3.5 to 4.0 oz. per square yard. A good representative would be linen table cloth.
2. *Fabricating a rudder in metal tubing will require some welding and bending. Don't do it "half fast"!
3. One that might be interesting is MvR's Fok.Dr.I 477/17 red rudder with a white bordered Iron Cross as pictured on 26 March 1918 at Le Chelle Airfield.
4 I can provide you with a rudder drawing.
5.Also the correct red color chip.
Good luck on the project.
* * * * * * * * * * * * Blue skies,
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dan-San

Mr Abbott...Dan-san , thankyou for your reply , I really do appreciate a man of your reputation taking the time to answer questions from me . Please let me assure you that the rudder would be clearly marked on the non-displayed side , that it was a reproduction , not only on the fabric , but also on the frame under the fabric .
I was looking at some cloth from the Vintage Fabric Company . I thought of purchasing a few yards of the linen oyster swatch . Would this be the correct material to start with ? . I have a full mechanical engineering workshop at my disposal and have a trade in Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanics , so I'm hoping that construction won't be a problem , and as you advise , I will continue to try to research the original constuction technique . I would be proud to produce the rudder in MvR's 477/17 colours . It would indeed be a great topic of conversation with my friends to inform them that it was your choice . Your offer of help with the drawings and of a colour sample is very kind thankyou Sir , that would be wonderful . If you don't mind , I will contact you off line to discuss it somemore , at your convenience .
Thankyou for your incouragement and your advise .
Phil.

How cool are these ?

G'day

Is that pic taken withn an OZ museum perchance?

[PeterL]

G'day

Is that pic taken within an OZ museum perchance? *

And could that be the yellow rudder MIA from IWM?

That pic was taken at the I.W.M. in London guy's . I'm trying to remember when I took it ?. I am pretty sure that it was in 96 or 97 ? ( Louise will remember if it's important , cos I dragged her and her sister along that day) . If that yellow rudder is missing ...then I didn't take it ....honest guy's !! .
Phil.

[Dan_San_Abbott]

BlackSeptember1918:
Boy does that look great with the models of the S.E.5a, Camel and Rudolf Berthold's Fok.D.VII That is one helluva display. The other rudder looks like it may be a Rol.D.VIa or b. Is that rudder missing?, whats the story?
Blue skies,
Dan-San