Albatros D.XI cowl

[mike powell]

Looking at this photo I initially took the dark horizontal mark on the front face of the cowl at its centerline to be a small air inlet. After much staring I now wonder if something different isn't there?



There appears to be a vertical line or indentation below the horizontal mark. Is the cowl possibly split in two sections and the dark horizontal mark a fastening device to hold the two halves together? I realize this is pretty thin beer, but something is there. Thoughts?

Mike Powell

[uncletony]

my guess is it's the typical albatros spring latch thingy... (in the red here, on nose of TVAL DVa repro, photo by Jamo)

[Umlaufmotor]

I think Bo is on the right side, Mike.

[mike powell]

Thanks Bo and Bertl for the input, especially the photo of the fastener. Looking again at the photo I posted there is another feature on the cowling, a raised object that appears in this view angle just in front of the muzzle of the right-hand MG. Perhaps this is a second fastener.

[mike powell]

RB,

This is the object I was referring to as a possible 2nd fastener. Is this what you refer to also?

[Beto]

I think these lumps under the guns could be standard "D" type fasteners as used in the cowlings of other Albatros types.