The Smythemeister's Albatros D.III

[Tim Marlow]

It’s a weight saving device Steve. Unfinished ply would absorb moisture increasing weight and reducing structural strength so it had to be finished. Paints of the time had no varnish content so were varnished afterwards to keep out moisture. Varnished ply would therefore give the same protection, but would weigh significantly less than a painted fuselage because there is no paint there. I read this somewhere, but can’t remember where.

[Dave Ward]

I haven't any evidence per se but there are a lot of colour profiles showing the varnished plywood finish, dating back to the middle of last century! There are modern replicas with this construction

This is a D.Va replica.............
Dave

[Steve-the-Duck]

Now THAT is very interesting

[tr1ckey66]

Can't beat an Albatros Andy. So many interesting schemes and techniques to try.
I'm sure you're going to have a lot of fun with it.
Cheers
Paul

[The Smythe Meister]

Go Mr. Smiff, Go!!! You'll enjoy building it Andy and it will give you a chance to try creating a wood grain pattern on the fusi. But please don't let Cohan do the rigging. You gotta do that yourself Buddy. Happy New Year to you and Rach too!!!...

Prost
Allen

Hi Allen,the grain will certainly be a challenge.... Cohan took one look and legged it!!

I've found myself a seat.

Nice one Andy,get comfortable mind. . I think this is going to take a while!!

Nice one andy , looks detailed enough to me , i reckon some belts is all you need either tape or aftermarket . The painting is where its really going to come alive , a very nice looking scheme , cheers tony

Cheers Tony,yes, it'll be belts only on this one...no pilot.

Looks interesting. Great colour scheme. Be good to see what you make of it.

Thanks Tim,I think it's a good looking scheme too.... well,on the box art anyway!!

Cool!!

Hi Andrew.... I certainly hope it will be!!

Nice model - these things were pretty simple, so there ain't much detail! The real crunch is getting the wood to look right - It took me quite a few attempts to get it looking anything like...........
Dave

Thanks Dave,yep,sparse indeed!!

Nice Andy

Hi Ian,glad to be taking part.
......
...... T.B.C......

[The Smythe Meister]

There’s a good tutorial (at least used to be) on the Wingnut wings web site for that. You can get decals for it as well.

Thanks for the info Tim

Looking forward to the finale!
Steve

HA!!.... Hope you're prepared for a long wit then Steve!

AK3 Dark Sand base coat, then panel definitions added with pencil. Gloss varnish to seal all in, so mistakes can be easily wiped off. Then streaks of thinned Vallejo Natural Wood, then New Wood added, with a small brush - it took me a few attempts, wiping all off & starting again - then sealed in with a gloss varnish tinted with orange
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1215867[/ATTACH]
Apologies for jumping in with my process, it just takes a bit of time. I didn't use retarder, the model is small enough for the paint not to dry when adding streaks.
I admit it was an experiment, as I didn't have any oils ( I tried several methods on my guinea pig P-51 before comitting to the real thing ).
The model is actually the Revell reboxing of the Eduard model, that I got at a bargain price ( surprise, surprise ) - I did look at wood decals, but that would hve tripled the total price of the model
Dave

That looks impressive Dave! I'm not interested in decals for the wood effect... going to be using acrylics too.

'Poor detail', as others have said, it's probably not missing any detail, the aircraft just didn't have any. Most WW1 aircraft are just covered in big sheets. But anyway, what a colourful subject you have chosen here. Nice one.

Cheers Colin, certainly is colourful eh?!

As much as the 'varnished cabinet' look is in vogue, and an interesting painting exercise, is there much evidence it ever actually happened?
One of the few arguments for is that less paint or covering saved weight, whereas an interesting argument against is the misinterpretation of light coloured fuselages.
However, 'Albatri' models used to be painted yellow, but on period orthochromatic film yellow looks black. So that doesn't add-up either
Many streaky paint techniques go well for props though
Maybe every WW1 German 'plane should just be painted red!

Interesting points Steve, I'll just go for the "purdy colours" approach though!

It’s a weight saving device Steve. Unfinished ply would absorb moisture increasing weight and reducing structural strength so it had to be finished. Paints of the time had no varnish content so were varnished afterwards to keep out moisture. Varnished ply would therefore give the same protection, but would weigh significantly less than a painted fuselage because there is no paint there. I read this somewhere, but can’t remember where.

More interesting information there Tim,thanks for that... I'm certainly learning bucket loads on this thread!!

...... T.B.C.....

[The Smythe Meister]

I haven't any evidence per se but there are a lot of colour profiles showing the varnished plywood finish, dating back to the middle of last century! There are modern replicas with this construction
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1215919[/ATTACH]
This is a D.Va replica.............
Dave

Nice one Dave, that's a great pic.

Now THAT is very interesting

...tis isn't it !!

Can't beat an Albatros Andy. So many interesting schemes and techniques to try.
I'm sure you're going to have a lot of fun with it.
Cheers
Paul

Cheers Paul,I hope so.

[The Smythe Meister]

.... Cont'd....
Well,after all that yap,I guess I should put a little progress!
Doesn't look much, but here's the cockpit stuff together....

It's quite nicely done and went together well I have actually painted it up and glued the two halves together,but I can't find the pictures I took
I'll get some more taken this evening when, hopefully, I'll get some more done too.
Cheers for now

[Tim Marlow]

Good start Andy. Looks a bit similar to mine.

[Waspie]

Excellent Andy, Mick Fleetwood would be proud of ya!!!:smiling3:

[papa 695]

Nice work so far Andy.

[Steve-the-Duck]

Here's a thing about the varnishing
Apparently, so I am informed, Albatross specified that a pale green paint was supposed to cover the fuselage, but only 100 grams was supposed to be used!? That must have been the lightest, thinnest paint ever!
And who listens to manufacturer instructions anyway!

[Waspie]

Here's a thing about the varnishing
Apparently, so I am informed, Albatross specified that a pale green paint was supposed to cover the fuselage, but only 100 grams was supposed to be used!? That must have been the lightest, thinnest paint ever!
And who listens to manufacturer instructions anyway!

Slightly off topic but!!
Had to strip all the paint from a Wasp helicopter. It was weighed prior to stripping, once all paint was removed and then again once repainted and the weight difference was amazing. Weight was critical to such a small flying machine and the reduced all up weight meant more could be carried.
So with the biplanes of WW1 having less paint would mean more ordinance could be carried and if on recce sorties them more power to weight would have given it an advantage. Clever thinning out the paint!!

[Dave Ward]

Found another picture - another replica, this time, a D.II from Poland

Dave

[Jim R]

I'm rather late to the party Andy but looking forward to this now. Interesting thoughts regarding the wood finish. Certainly a varnished wood would look good. Nice work on the cockpit.