Weirdly specific Eisenkreuz question...

[MoFo]

I am currently drafting some decals for my 1/144 Zeppelin, and I've hit a bit of a stumbling block.

We all know what an Eisenkreuz looks like, I hope.  But the card model I'm basing my scratchbuild on has a weird, skewed version where the 'arms'extend onto the adjacent nose panels:



Now, the only explanation I can think of is that this is to correct for perspective distortion; ie, so that the cross appears properly square when viewed from below, rather than distorted from wrapping around the tapered nose.  Viewed flat, it looks really weird and wrong; when applied to the 3D nose, presumably it would look "correct".

The question is...  did the Germans actually USE perspective correction on any markings in WWI?  Given that everything was painted by hand, it seems like it'd be a whole lot easier just to use the 'normal' proportions and have an ever-so-slightly mis-shapen cross, rather than calculate the geometry to correct the minor distortion on a 17' cross that's flying at 13,000'.  At night.

Then again...  Germany.   

[uncletony]

interesting question...

The marking was large enough (17'!) that the projection theory makes a good deal of sense. No idea whether it's true or not...

[ALBATROS1234]

i know on some austro-hungarian flying boats they have a cross right on the tip of the nose that stretches around and is an odd looking decal.

look here at a link with a 1/32 scratch built lohner L flying boat.scroll down and observe.very nice build btw.this is the kinda stuff i would like to see kitted.

http://wingsandrigging.blogspot.com/

[uncletony]

One other thing to consider -- the card model was probably created in 3D software program, right? There are all kinds of ways to do texture mapping, including planar projection -- (just like Justin's torch) which, when the solid is unfolded will give you this distortion....

Maybe ask the producer of the card model whether this was done by expedient or based on historical fact?

[MoFo]

Way ahead of you, Bo.  I e-mailed him yesterday.

Turns out he actually used 2D modelling software for the Zepp, and it sounds like his Eisenkreuz design was a bit of guesswork - skewed to 'look' right, vs. a regular cross that gets distorted by the surface.

Which leads us right back to the beginning.  Guess I'll have to flip a coin. 

[uncletony]

What does the photo record suggest?

[MoFo]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Not a lot of good, detail pics out there.  If they're not airborne, sort-of-profile-shots from a mile away, they're more like this:

[uncletony]

ugh, i see...