Captured Albatros DVa Colours: D4545/17

Trackpad · 21 May 2011, 10:39 AM

Hi,

I think that the colours for this a/c are five-colour lozenge on the wings and tail, light grey forward of the cockpit and varnished wood for the remainder of the fuselage. RFC national markings are standard, with the largest possible upper wing roundels applied:

Can anyone confirm what I think, or correct it? Apologies if this has been covered before. If so, a link would also be most appreciated. TIA for any input!

Cheers,

TP

'14-'18aviationcollector · 21 May 2011, 01:17 PM

Hi Trackpad,

It looks to me as though the forward fuselage is clear varnished and the rear fuselage is painted. I don't know of you are aware of this but one of the two surviving Albatros D.Va's had a very similar colour scheme and shows up almost exactly the same in photographs as the captured aeoplane you have posted the photo of.

P.S. I just noticed that the serial number and the weights schedule are still visible, so it certainly does look as though the front of the fuselage was painted in a light colour and the rear fuselage is clear varnished, although I have seldom if ever seen clear varnished plywood on an Albatros D.Va appear to be so dark in shade.

Regards,

David

Rufe · 21 May 2011, 02:48 PM

It does Look like the forward fuselage is painted. Notice the lack of wood grain in the light areas, and the swirls visible in the darker areas, that looks like what you would see under the shellac finish.

Since it is obviously captured, is there a capture report for D.4545 ?

(added) The swirls could also be just the normal buckling of the plywood in shadow.

BLOWHARD · 21 May 2011, 03:30 PM

Notice the factory data plates aren't overpainted. It seems to me if it were painted over those plates would be too.

The rear half does look awfully dark!

I wouldn't feel sure unless there was a capture color report.

Bill McGill · 21 May 2011, 03:35 PM

It's probably also worth mentioning that it is a D.V and not a D.Va.

There are more photos of D4545/17 on the wingnuts Albatros D.V model archive photos area, which you might not find if you were looking for a D.Va.

For what it's worth, after looking through the other photos, to me it looks like the front fuselage engine cowls, inspection hatches, V struts and undercarriage have been painted white. It's easy enough to paint around the data plates. The rear fuselage could be darkly stained or the film type is darkening the yellow varnished ply. Definitely 5 color lozenge on wings and tailplane.

Bill

StephenLawson · 24 May 2011, 06:02 AM

Vzfw. Max Wackwitz of Jasta 24, POW in December 7, 1917. Albatros D.V 4545/17 had capture number G97. The Cockades, rudder stripes, dark rear fuselage & tail colour were added by the British (PC10) Very translucent.

Trackpad · 24 May 2011, 06:40 AM

Gentlemen, All,

Thanks for your help with this.

Stephen, do you have any information on the forward fuselage colour? It appears to me to be a light grey (RLM 02 equivalent?), as it seems to be just a bit darker than the white in the fuselage roundel. TIA.

StephenLawson · 24 May 2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trackpad

Gentlemen, All,

Thanks for your help with this.

Stephen, do you have any information on the forward fuselage colour? It appears to me to be a light grey (RLM 02 equivalent?), as it seems to be just a bit darker than the white in the fuselage roundel. TIA.

If memory serves Dan San has spoken about this before. (the Albatros D. series was one of his prime study subjects.) The Alb. D.V used grey or grey - green for metal surfaces.

Rick Duiven (also gone west) published the Jasta 24 war diary excerpts in the old Cross & Cockade USA (Vol 21 or 22?)

Colin A Owers · 25 May 2011, 04:10 PM

According to the notes I took in the UK National Archives, 4545/17 was brought down on 5 December 1917. "The fuselage is yellow with two white stripes and one green stripe round it behind the pilot's seat, each stripe being about a foot wide. A crescent and star are painted in black on the side of the fuselage.... All the planes are patchwork camouflaged and are redder on the lower surface than on the upper surface." A weight legend was painted on the fuselage. AIR1/1965/202/264/2

It is unusual that the British have replaed the individual markings.

Colin A Owers

Trackpad · 25 May 2011, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin A Owers

According to the notes I took in the UK National Archives, 4545/17 was brought down on 5 December 1917. "The fuselage is yellow with two white stripes and one green stripe round it behind the pilot's seat, each stripe being about a foot wide. A crescent and star are painted in black on the side of the fuselage.... All the planes are patchwork camouflaged and are redder on the lower surface than on the upper surface." A weight legend was painted on the fuselage. AIR1/1965/202/264/2

It is unusual that the British have replaced the individual markings.

Colin A Owers

Thanks, Colin,

More grist for the mill. I had thought to do a WNW Albatros DV in this scheme, but I already have an Eduard 1/48th kit plus several aftermarket add-ons for it (Pheon u/c, Eagle Strike decals, Vector engine) so that will be the basis of the project. Not sure when I'll get going on it, as it seems that there is much more information on the a/c than I thought. Old army saying: "Time spent in recce is never wasted!" Many thanks for your input!