More rib tape stuff

[DaddyO]

Just added an LVG VI to the workbench to pop together whilst waiting for other stuff is being glued/drying etc. (It's the 72nd KP kit which appears rather nice for once so I assume it's based on an old Ardpol kit or similar?)

Anyway I appreciate that we're not sure about rib tapes colours on specific aircraft
My question is were different colours employed on the top and bottom surfaces of the same aircraft? For example - 5 colour upper surface with, say, blue tapes whereas the lighter undersurfaces used pink? Or would it be more usual to use one colour throughout on both top and bottom?

Cheers
Paul

[NigelR]

The simple answer is no-one really knows. Just have a read through this thread:

https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=633.0

Even if you have photos, discerning what actual colour grey rib tapes are from an old photo is guesswork at best. Having seen some of the original artefacts in the Aviattic collection, it is clear there are exceptions to many of the "rules" that various people have come up with over the years.

[DaddyO]

Cheers Nigel

Kind've confirmed what I'd suspected (and was not explaining terribly well) that it's unlikely that different tapes were used for top and bottoms unless stocks were plentiful (and workers a bit bored) 

I'll probably stick with a single colour and I'm leaning towards 'linen' rather than coloured for no better reason than it looks more workmanlike. All subject to change of course, but I'll get the wings covered and tapes added first since they'll take a bit of time . . .

Cheers
Paul

[WD]

Just to add, a modeling friend of mine, Jeff Groves, aka "InchHighGuy" posted photos of the NMUSAF Halbersadt CL.IV on his blog today. Lozenge rib tapes, and the lower surfaces of the wings have the rib tapes made from the lower surface lozenge. Yes, I know it's a restoration, but . . .

https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2024/12/15/halberstadt-cl-iv-walk-around/comment-page-1/#respond

Warren

[Allan31]

Hey all,

I will be starting the Roland D.VIb in a few weeks. I will be needing rib tapes for that and will be making my own.
I've used a method using tools from my other life as a technical illustrator that is really handy to know in the model building hobby.
It involves an old inking pen and clear decal paper, easy-peasy.













The canopies above are all 1/72 scale so will work fine larger as well. This will allow us to do rib tapes any wrong color we want.
I will do a better presentation when I do the Roland.

[ScottJ]

I recognize that tool and have one myself from my old Trade Tech graphic design days.  I believe at that time they were known as ruling pens.

[DaddyO]

Cheers Alan - good idea
I did wonder about spraying some decal sheet, but difficult to cut thin strips without getting a rough edge so this one looks like a nice alternative without the risk of drawing directly onto the model's wing
Paul