forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => WW1 Aircraft Information/Questions => Topic started by: Gutzer on April 11, 2022, 06:53:55 PM
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Just bought an unopened WNW AMC DH.9 kit cheaply (AU$140) on Jauce. Not what what I was planning, but couldn't pass up the opportunity...
On the DH.9, the photos of the aircraft at Duxford (as shown on the WnW site) shows the interior with a dark cherry looking wood. Looks like mahogany, which I would have thought too heavy and expensive for WW1 aircraft.
Thoughts?
http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/productdetail?productid=3105&cat=2 (http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/productdetail?productid=3105&cat=2)
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On the DH.9, the photos of the aircraft at Duxford (as shown on the WnW site) shows the interior with a dark cherry looking wood. Looks like mahogany, which I would have thought too heavy and expensive for WW1 aircraft.
Our local library has Guy Black's book on the restoration of this aircraft. I'll get it and see if there's mention of what exactly the wood is (I have a strong feeling he went into such detail in the text).
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Thanks Zac!! Greatly appreciated. I'll have to hunt down that book myself.
I went to IWM Duxford two years ago, took lots of photos, so I'll have a hunt through those as well. At the time I wasn't up to speed with most WW1 aircraft...
Cheers,
Peter
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Found a copy and bought it...
https://www.booktopia.com.au/dh9-from-ruin-to-restoration-saunders-black/book/9781908117335.html (https://www.booktopia.com.au/dh9-from-ruin-to-restoration-saunders-black/book/9781908117335.html)
Also on this forum:
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11565.0 (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11565.0)
Yep looks like antique Victorian furniture wood...
Thanks again Zac for the info :)
Peter
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This photo shows the condition of the DH.9 when found in an Elephant house in India in 1999.
(https://aerovintage.co.uk/img/de-havilland-dh9/DH9_before-large.jpg)
You can see the 'dark' wood was there at the time.
I suspect this dark red appearance may be shellac varnish, which has darkened in colour over time.
There is an interesting discussion at http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30426 (http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30426)
From reading that thread, shellac was clear when applied to aircraft...
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You can see in this photo of the Duxford DH.9 that the dark red colour is not present in some places on the wood. It appears to be shellac, which is being removed in the restoration process, but I could be wrong. Clearly shows lighter wood underneath, e.g. on the lateral beam where there is peeling in the centre.
(https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Epave-DH.9-2014-%C2%A9-Benjamin-Gilbert-LEB-.jpg)
Peter
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Found a copy and bought it...
Excellent! Short of having the aircraft sitting next to you I think the book is the best resource.