1:32nd scale Caudron G.3 (Anzani engine)

[NigelR]

The wood on the booms and struts looks very nice, and that's a great start on the see through CDL. This is going to be a stunner!

[Edgar]

Greetings, Mike.
Sorry to say, but I believe the drawings you're using may not be entirely accurate. Based on the information I have, the early Caudron G.III featured elevator and rudder control through warping (French: gauchissement) ? that is, by changing the shape of the control surfaces via cable tension.

This means that when the elevator was deflected, it would bend into an arc, with the trailing edge curving upwards. To allow for this movement without overstressing or damaging the structure, the lower edge of the rudder was rounded, so that both surfaces could move freely and form the correct geometry when deflected together.

Later, when production was shifted to other factories, a simpler solution was introduced ? hinged control surfaces. At that point, the rudder was straightened and began to move like a conventional control surface. However, its previously rounded lower edge would have interfered with the now-hinged elevator. Therefore, the rudder?s lower edge was also straightened to avoid collision with the elevator during deflection.

This change is clearly visible in period photographs of early and late Caudron G.III aircraft.
In my opinion, it's an important visual and technical distinction between the early and late production versions, and it strongly influences how an accurate model should be represented.

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Greetings, Mike.
Sorry to say, but I believe the drawings you're using may not be entirely accurate. Based on the information I have, the early Caudron G.III featured elevator and rudder control through warping (French: gauchissement) ? that is, by changing the shape of the control surfaces via cable tension.

This means that when the elevator was deflected, it would bend into an arc, with the trailing edge curving upwards. To allow for this movement without overstressing or damaging the structure, the lower edge of the rudder was rounded, so that both surfaces could move freely and form the correct geometry when deflected together.

Later, when production was shifted to other factories, a simpler solution was introduced ? hinged control surfaces. At that point, the rudder was straightened and began to move like a conventional control surface. However, its previously rounded lower edge would have interfered with the now-hinged elevator. Therefore, the rudder?s lower edge was also straightened to avoid collision with the elevator during deflection.

This change is clearly visible in period photographs of early and late Caudron G.III aircraft.
In my opinion, it's an important visual and technical distinction between the early and late production versions, and it strongly influences how an accurate model should be represented.

Hi Edgar,
Thank you for your response.
Yes I see the early curved rudder and why it was need with the earlier scalloped and warping elevators.



Most of the photographs I have show the later hinged and straight rudder and elevators.
What confused me is that the Anzani and the other Caudron kit have the later rudder (runner D) and elevators (runner C).
But the Anzani shows the early elevators on runner G, but this is not supplied in the kit or marked as not required.
That led me to wonder if the earlier rudders were intended to be included with the elevators as and option.







Mike

[Edgar]

Hi Mike,

We decided to divide the aircraft into several distinct versions, and here?s the current plan:

The first kit we released was a "standard" Caudron G.III. At that stage, we didn?t go too deep into specific variants ? we chose the configuration most commonly seen in historical photos. We also had drawings for the main upper wing with the narrow cutout, which became the basis for our 32006 boxing.

Later, we came up with the idea to produce an early version. That one would have required new tailplane ? specifically, a one-piece horizontal stabiliser with integrated elevator, and new vertical fins with early-style rudders. We would also have needed to remove the side fuselage openings for rudder pedal cables, since on early airframes the cables exited from the underside rear of the fuselage, along with the other control lines, meaning a new fuselage was needed.

However, we had some doubts about whether most modelers would actually recognize the early version as different from the standard boxing. So we postponed it and shifted focus to the late variant, which only needed a different top  wing. That allowed us to offer both the American version and the later French version.

The Anzani version then felt like a logical next step ? the upper wing tooling was already available, and all we needed was a new fuselage to accommodate the Anzani engine (which we also hope to use later for the Caudron G.4). It?s worth mentioning that the fuselage in the Hendon Museum (UK) has incorrect  geometry ? it seems shortened or cut off starting from the front cabane struts and to the engine, clearly should be longer.

As for the rudders: we didn?t plan to tool new LATE ones (that you mentioned), since the differences are very subtle and could be easily achieved by the modeler with some careful sanding, if desired.

That said, we?re still seriously considering an early version (possibly as an Italian boxing), and also a postwar G.III on floats (used in Finland), as well as a civil version with ailerons ? the one famous for crossing the Mont Blanc.

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi Edgar,
Once again, thank you for your response.
That all makes sense now 
I'm sure we'll all look forward to more CSM releases in the future.
Especially I think float plane versions.

But I'm positive we will all be very pleased to see the Hansa Brandenburg D.I released first 

Mike

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
The flight surfaces are finished, except for weathering, detail painting.
The undersides have a darker outline of the internal structure, representing structure shadows.
Grey primed then MRP Dark Wood (MRP-262) applied.
Structure masked off and Tamiya' Deck Tan (XF55) applied.
Masking removed and lighter coat of Deck Tan applied to fade back the darker structure.

The top surfaces have lighter rib tape markings.
Grey primed then MRP Clear Doped Linen (MRP-256) applied.
Structure masked off then MRP Dark Wood (MRP-262) applied along the structure masks.
Masking removed and a lighter coat of MRP Clear Doped Linen (MRP-256) applied to fade back the lighter structure.

Covered with Aviattic Weave Linen Effect decal (ATT32044).
All other decals are kit supplied,

Mike