Werner Voss's D.III

[kornbeef]

So.

For future build I have Roden's 1/32 DIII Albatros on order (A few WNW spares to tickle it with too). I understand the aircraft had an upper wing change that shifted the rad (I have both types of upper wings anyway (don't ask how...lol)
That new Osprey book on the D.III is a mine of little gems of info despite the cross section being a little iffy in control set up.

I'm wondering more about the nose cowl and its louvres, if anyone has images to share or can point me to where I might get a better understanding I'd be really grateful.

If anyone knows of any other little differences too of course.

Lastly has anyone worked with FCM decal's I've the set 32014 that covers Voss's plane amongst others and a nice D.Va (OAW) too. They look to first view really well produced in perfect register. I'm just wondering if they have any vices I should watch for.

Any help or even thoughts would be greatly appreciated guys

Cheers Keith

[uncletony]

I've been gathering stuff on this one too... I'll look through what I have when I get home tonight.

I don't think the FCM decals picked up on the larger border of the top heart. Also if you are picky I think the laurel wreath is identical side to side on the decal sheet -- not so on the A/C. The new D.III book points all that up.

All this from memory -- not looking at the decals or the book at the moment as they are 400 miles away:)

[kornbeef]

thanks for the heads ups guys.

Looking at the decal sheet after your comments Bo yes, the garland of leaves is different and the blue bows under the swastika are too. Nothing insurmountable of course dealing with the upper heart which may not need addressing if I choose the earlier option of course.

Maybe a little hand painting involved here.

Keith

[Umlaufmotor]

I think the Spada Decals are correct, Keith
No idea if they oop or not?




Servus
Bertl

[kornbeef]

Thanks for the head up Bertl.

Now I'm thinking I've opened a can of worms....

The wreath on the photo's clearly crosses the front of the national insignia. On Spada's sheet profile it doesn't but the hearts too far forward so maybe it would all shuffle down right.  Incidentally the lovely artwork on the cover of the new Osprey D.II volume is the same.

While we are on, does anyone have any thoughts on the band between the white tail and the wood. Black? red? other? It doesn't look black black in some pictures.

I'm starting to think the other D.III option on the decal sheet may be less contentious but then where's the fun in that? 

Keith

[kornbeef]

Well I rummaged around the web for Spada decals but got nowhere. Never mind. I did get SWMBO to bid for Kagero's D.I-D.V on Evil bay though.

 

[lcarroll]

Keith,,
    FWIW the Kagero "Kaiser's Aces" book (Legends of Aviation Series #1) has a very nice 4 View on the back cover; the band you are wondering about is shown as a mid to dark grey. I note numerous references to the "thin BLACK stripe at the front of the standard JG2 white tail" in various Osprey books which is more likely IMHO and it looks very dark / black in the photos I have seen. Of course, then there's the theory concerning a second similarly painted machine; what fun!!
Cheers,
Lance

[kornbeef]

Thanks for the head up Bertl.

Now I'm thinking I've opened a can of worms...

The can where he might have had two DIII?

I'm of the opinion of one aircraft but more than one upper wing from what is shown and documented in the new Osprey book.

TY BTW 

Keith.

[uncletony]

looks like you are already ahead of me Keith, but FWIW here is a detail shot of the wreath and hearts from the FCM sheet. Compare to photos pp 50-53 of new D.III book. The decal markings are a bit too regular and of course they were plainly not identical side to side (though similar enough). But you already know all this

When I do mine I will probably paint these by hand using the decals as a reference.

I agree the case is very strong for 1 machine, two top wings. The wreath fingerprint is pretty overwhelming.

The FCM decals include national markings and masks for J5 tails. (of course the latter doesn't apply to Voss') A nice set imo; and quite beautifully printed in perfect register and vivid colors by Micro Scale.

[uncletony]

While we are on, does anyone have any thoughts on the band between the white tail and the wood. Black? red? other? It doesn't look black black in some pictures.

Definitely black IMO. Standard Jasta Boelcke markings at the time (not JG 2 -- didn't exist yet), and the circumstances of his departure were such that retaining his Jasta Boelcke markings was something of a point of pride. At least that is the prevailing theory -- see GvW Jagdstaffel 2 "Boelcke" and Franks "Jasta Boelcke"

[uncletony]

PS There are some useful observations well worth re-reading in Paolo's Roden D.III Voss build log

[uncletony]

PSS -- see pp 38 Jagdstaffell 5 vol 1 (Merill) where the author claims that this machine received nearly all its markings at Proville (Jasta B) not Boistrancourt (J5).

The big question is the spinner color. I think black per Jasta B but many will argue for red. Who knows!?

[davecww1]

Just a guess that I have never heard discussed before, but perhaps the spinner was black at jasta B and he repainted it red when he moved to Jasta 5?  Would make more sense to me...
Dave

[zavod44]

Ressurecting an old thread here....I have been trying to sort this D III out.  I have decided to try to build this with Voss' markings.  Do we think the top wing changed colors when it was changed?  Would they change the whole top wing, or move the radiator?  IF it was a later top wing instaled, would it have been painted in a different way?  I know manufacturers painted the wings certain ways through certain production batches.  Any thoughts on that?  What color do we think the top wing is?  Is the Spada decal sheet available anywhere or is it long gone?  I have the FCM but it's wrong in so many ways.....

[uncletony]

I think the radiator position change means an entirely different wing was fitted. The wing variants had different internal structures; seems like a highly unlikely field mod.

But I have been wrong a million times before... so just my $.02