[WWI] Fw: [CCI] Albatros colours

[Mark Shannon]

What we can say, sight unseen, is that the upper wing and tailplane camouflage was likely red-brown, olive, and green, with pale blue under for the wings and tailplanes.  The exact pattern is could be worked out from the photos, with the red-brown usually the darkest(?).  The rudder could be either the pale green of the camouflage or clear doped linen -- research suggests that the rudders were painted the color of the horizontal tailplane section adjacent to them, but this is not universally accepted.  One thing to check was whether this was a OAW built Albatros.  Then it is more likely to be purple (lilac, mauve) and dark olive green on the upper surfaces and a 'purer' pale blue underneath (the Albatros underside blue appears to have had a touch of green to it, compared to the OAW).  The distinguishing characteristic to look for is the rudder shape -- Albatros built were vertical trailing edge, OAW were rounded similar to the D.V shape.

While the man himself can be infuriating, the most current information on these colors is from Dan-San Abbot.  He holds court on the Aerodrome website.

Mark Shannon
shingend at ix.netcom.com



----- Original Message ----- 
From: Diego Fernetti 
To: ww1 list
Sent: 7/4/2007 11:00:29 AM 
Subject: [WWI] Fw: [CCI] Albatros colours


Tom forwarded me this message, I'm sure that we on the list can answer this for Nick Forder
TIA!
D.


-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Forder <n.forder at mosi.org.uk>
To: cci at mustang.sr.unh.edu
Sent: Tue, 3 Jul 2007 5:05 am
Subject: [CCI] Albatros colours


I am looking at making a model of Albatros DIII 636/17 of FA300 for 111(F) Squadron. This machine was the unit's first confirmed 'kill' and, as it represented 50% of the Germano-Turkish fighter strength at the time, its loss was quite significant.

636/17 came down almost intact and was captured by the Australian Light Horse, who turned it over to 67 Squadron (formerly 1 AFC).

Although 636/17 is a well photographed aircraft, I have never seen a colour profile of it.

I assume that it was in the standard factory finish of red/brown & green upper surfaces, light blue under surfaces and varnished wood fuselage. The rudder appears to be a lighter colour (white ?), and there are no markings other than the cross patees and the serial number on the fin. Can anyone confirm this ?

636/7 seems to have had a single (offset to starboard) wing mounted radiator, unlike later aircraft that had twin radiators.

111(F) has a framed fuselage cross of Kruger's Jasta 55/1F aircraft, shot down by Lt Swinburne as the Squadron's last confirmed WW1 'kill'. This appears to be on an emerald green background , though this, of course, is from an Albatros DVa.

Apart from photos, the only other WW1 relic that 111(F) has is the rear gun from an AEG CIV of FA304b brought down by Lt Fleming on 31 Jan 1918. This is mounted on a stand made from half a hub of a four bladed SE5a prop. The plate on  the hub makes some reference to "7 Uieosanjilegas Regt" (sic), the significance of which I have yet to determine.
Nick






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