Baumer's Edelweiss D.V

[Pfalzman]

Can anyone give me a definitive answer on the paint scheme on Paul Bäumer's "Edelweiss" D.V? I know this was debated some time ago on the wwi-modeling list -- but I don't think it was resolved.

Would I be wrong in assuming the profile in the new Osprey Albatros Aces is correct? It has the usual Jasta 5 green tail; RED (not black) rear fuselage: natural plywood forward; gray struts, cowling and wheel covers; red spinner.

Whaddayahthink?

Thanks.

[Mark_Miller]

I think this:


yes - It's just what was published in the Osprey book.
I don't realy have any special insight into it's validity.
Maybe the the soon to be released J5 book will have some new info.
I hope it is released soon.

sorry - I couldn't resist the opporunity to link up the image
BTW - the cross on the fuse in my image is a little distorted.
I think I finaly have it right now :

Mark

[Pfalzman]

Mark:

Thanks for the image -- it's great! Actually, I had just checked out your tremendous artwork from your earlier post. In fact, I hope you don't mind, but I downloaded your images and made a screensaver out of them-- pretty cool to watch them rotate on the screen.

I don't know how the idea that the fuselage was black got going--but it seemed to gain some support from model builders. If red is good enough for you it's certainly good enough for me.

Thanks again.

[Mark_Miller]

Mark:

Thanks for the image -- it's great! *Actually, I had just checked out your tremendous artwork from your earlier post. *In fact, I hope you don't mind, but I downloaded your images and made a screensaver out of them-- pretty cool to watch them rotate on the screen.

I don't know how the idea that the fuselage was black got going--but it seemed to gain some support from model builders. *If red is good enough for you it's certainly good enough for me.

Thanks again.

Pfalzman
thanks for the kind words - and no problem with that screen saver thing

as for the red/black confusion.
This is a persistant problem with all schemes based on bw photographs which is caused by the fact that ortho film (which was widly used in the WW1 time frame) has little or no sensativity to red light - which causes it to reproduce just like black.
It is possible that nobody actualy knows for certain what it was :

If you look around the forum you will find a LOT more on this Ortho film question - from people who know more about in than I do.

as for "taking my word for it"
hmmm...
I like the way it looks red - but unless your all fired up to do the model (or whatever) now - I'd wait for Dr. Merril's J5 book.
he says it has some startling new info 8)

Mark

I have anumber of questions about Bäumer's Albatros.

(1) I am interested in what the basis is for the choice of a red, as opposed to black, ground.

(2) The portside photograph clearly shows what appears to be a color line just to the left of the edelweiss, and perhaps at the righthand as well, along the line of edge of the left cross arm. Robert Karr has called this a "medallion," I believe. To me it appears to be a band, possibly encircling the fuselage.



In any case, it appears that it may represent a different color ground for the edelweiss itself. What is the basis for assuming that this represents only a 'texture' rather than color break?

(3) Might not Bäumer's use of the national colors as his motif on his triplane tell us something about the appearance of the Albatros?



Anyway, I think Kissenberth's painter did a better job of capturing the spiky appearance of this plant!





Mark: I'm a great fan of your art, as you know, but I think a representation as fine as yours should give a nod to the difference that is shown in the photograph, whether one decides to represent it as a color or texture break.

Best to all,
Stefen

[Mark_Miller]

I have anumber of questions about Bäumer's Albatros.

(1) I am interested in what the basis is for the choice of a red, as opposed to black, ground.

(2) The portside photograph clearly shows what appears to be a color line just to the left of the edelweiss, and perhaps at the righthand as well, along the line of edge of the left cross arm. Robert Karr has called this a "medallion," I believe. To me it appears to be a band, possibly encircling the fuselage.

In any case, it appears that it may represent a different color ground for the edelweiss itself. What is the basis for assuming that this represents only a 'texture' rather than color break?
Mark: I'm a great fan of your art, as you know, but I think a representation as fine as yours should give a nod to the difference that is shown in the photograph, whether one decides to represent it as a color or texture break.

Best to all,
Stefen

Hi Stefen
To be truthful - i had not seen this photo of Bäumer's DV before.
But..
I can truthfuly say that HAD I seen, it I would probably have ignored the darker band you refer too.

Reasons:
I'm not entirely convinced that it does represent a color break:
It is definitly a localised texture change - but i'm not entirely sure that it would be noticible unless it was in a highlight area.

The line just forward of the edelweiss is not perfectly straight as you would expect from a painted marking.

It falls in a visualy awkward manner - I don't think they would have purposfully placed a band in that exact way. (IMHO)

But that being said - your right
there is a definite change in gloss.
something which would be rather difficult for me to simulate given the rendering tools I have available.

my guess - they painted the fuse at an earlier date and sealed it with a gloss varnish - then went in later and painted the flower over it with a flat paint.
why repaint the field as well? who knows - maybe they messed up :
But this is all pure speculation on my part.

No - if I'm going to contradict "conventional wisdom" I'll need more to go an than this

however
I do notice that the edleweiss on my image is too far forward
and why would they paint the leaves light grey?
as was indicated in my refernce. They definitly had green paint available

and should the tail, which is supposed to be green, appear that light?

Mark

[Mark_Miller]

Stefen
One more thing
you are right about Kissenberth's machine.
That's a beatifull color scheme. The rendition of the flower has an oddly "profesional" look to it.

high on my to-do list
Mark