Hansa-Brandenburg W.29

[NGBZ]

The W.29's fuselage was constructed from plywood with metal engine panels. But what material was used for the pilot's and observer's upper sections?
Period photos seems to show a high gloss finish which could indicate a different material is used to the rest of the fuselage? I'm wondering if these were made from maybe aluminium? The observers surround is a complex sbape which would certainly be easier to make crom aluminium rather than ply?
The prototype W.29 images show a highly reflective finish on these parts (along with the engine panels) which gives the impression of a natural metal finish.
Keen to hear your thoughts.....
Cheers
Gary

[John McKenzie]

From my own experience , I can say that Aircraft complex shaped panels do not present too much of a problem to construct in wood & are both strong , relatively durable & light in weight .
" All-Wood " , component parts will therefore be the preferred choice in basic " wood structures " ,...for obvious Structural , Engineering reasons .

Until later 1918+ ,...Aluminium panels are only ,. or mainly used when there is an often- removable requirement or where , for example they are subject to heat , such as motor cowlings etc and for specialist components such as many MG boxes & shoots etc. etc..
Of course , there are exceptions , but here we consider the more general case .

If the original design/manufacturer has sufficient skilled metal workers and available supplies of materials ,...then aluminium may be the preferred choice ,..however , some manufacturers whose sub contractors ( often on Government pressures for "war work" ) may use more wood working factories & less skilled "metal" workforce .
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Generally , Double Curvature "wooden Shells" consist of Thin plywood or veneer strips of hardwood , around 0,8 up to 1,25 mm thick ,..x... 50 to 100 mm or so , wide ,.... glued together in 2 or 3 layers , double diagonally , over a male mould and then , mostly covered with glued-on fabric , finally finished & painted .

Some examples of such panels are found in :...

( French)...Nieuport 17--27 , front side panels ( 2 layers of tulip wood veneer .)

(British) ...RAF ,..FE2b Nose panel ....( .2&3 layers Birch Veneer )

( German) ...Hanover & Many other CL & similar , 2 seater types ...(upper fuselage around observers MG & other double curvature panels . ( 3x Alder veneer ).
Pfalz & early LFG.Roland machines ,(various types) ,...Body halves ,.. 2 + layers of Birch "plywood" )

JM .
.

JM .

[Bert Angles]

John is correct l think.People had to crawl and clamber about the upper coaming and aluminium wouldn't take the weight the way three ply would. Plus aluminium was what was later called " a strategic material" and wood wasn't.If the protective finish on it is different then it would look shinier than the surrounding areas.

[NGBZ]

Thank you :)