HB D1 strut color question....

[iwik]

Hi there!
I'm currently building the old Hansa Brandenburg D1 kit from Eduard (2 of them actually...), and I have no idea what color the different struts of this aircraft should be painted in.
The caban strut, the landing gear struts, interplane struts you name it.
If anyone could help me out...
Thanks
Ciao
Iwik

[lcarroll]

    I am no expert on the topic however I do have a copy of the Grosz, Haddow and Schiemer "Austro Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One" "Bible" on the subject. There is a color side profile of  HB D.128.10 of Flik 41/J as flown by Brumowski that clearly illustrates ALL struts as being "wrapped" in what I would guess is narrow strips of CDL (Similar to the treatment given to the cabane struts on  British SE.5's and 5a's which was sealed with PC.10 or 11)   and the strut color matches the "Plain Finish" clear doped linen of the flying surfaces and clearly contrasts to the darker clear varnished finish of the plywood fuselage. Most of the book's photos of D.1's are consistent with this description but others appear to show unwrapped struts which still show as  a color similar to the unfinished or plain flying surfaces.
   Not a definitive answer for sure but hopefully of some help to you. As I've always said about WWI Aircraft colors, the only thing we can be absolutely sure of is ....... we're not sure!
Cheers,
Lance