Tuesday, June 4, 2013

L.V.G. Experimental Fighters

L.V.G. Experimental Fighters 1916-1918

Despite the success of L.V.G. two seat aircraft, the pursuit for a top-notch fighter eluded them. Their attempts ranged from the mundane to the extremely odd. Perhaps they might have eventually succeeded. The end of the war stopped their efforts before any could enter production.


L.V.G. Experimental Fighter, 1916



L.V.G. D 10

Experimental single-seat fighter with wrapped plywood strip fuselage of deep gap-filling Walfisch type. The unique under-fin extending to the axle is one of the many features of this unusual-looking airplane which was built during 1916.

References

  1. Grey & Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. Putnam &Company.
  2. LVG D.10, 1916 the Virtual Aircraft Museum retrieved Nov/09/2012-14:32 from: http://www.aviastar.org/air/germany/lvg_d-10.php
  3. LVG D.10, 1916 flyingmachines.ru retreived Nov/09/2012-14:38 from: http://flyingmachines.ru/Site2/Crafts/Craft30276.htm

L.V.G. Experimental Fighter, 1917



L.V.G. D IV

Continuing the streamlined, ply-covered fuselage trend, the L.V.G. D IV featured a wing cellule similar to that of the earlier D II, with single-spar lower wing and vee interplane struts. The nose, of blunter proportions but still neatly spinnered, housed the vee-eight type, direct-drive, 195 h.p. Benz Bz IIIb engine. The machine participated at the second D types Competition at Adlershof in June 1918.

References

  1. Grey & Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. Putnam &Company.
  2. L.V.G. D IV 1917 the Virtual Aircraft Museum retrieved Nov/09/2012-14:47 from: http://www.aviastar.org/air/germany/lvg_d-4.php
  3. L.V.G. D IV 1917 flyingmachines.ru retrieved Nov/09/2012-14:42 from: http://flyingmachines.ru/Site2/Crafts/Craft25806.htm

L.V.G. Experimental Fighter, 1918



L.V.G. D V

The L.V.G. D V was another 195 h.p. Benz-powered prototype built in 1918, The design reverted to a slab-sided ply-covered fuselage. Most unusual feature was the reversal of the wing surface cord length, the lower was a much broader chord. It functioned as the main lifting surface. The narrow-chord upper-wing panels pivoted differentially outboard of the center-section. The entire surface of both wings acted as "ailerons" to provide lateral maneuverability.

The streamlining includes both the interplane and fuselage connecting twin-struts, are more or less V structure. The inner set is provided with a round cutting in the streamlining. The steepness, while not whale type, camouflaged the body of the L.V.G. The chord of the lower plane of the L.V.G. looks large for a scout; the rudder is a bit perplexing. Considering the amount of stress on a scout rudder, the unsupported position seems strange. The hinged fixed plane and elevator position of the L.V.G. Scout is similar to that of the Brandenburg seaplane.

References

  1. C.G. Grey (Editor) Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1919. David & Charles (November 1969) ISBN-10: 0715346474 ISBN-13: 978-0715346471
  2. Grey & Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. Putnam &Company.
  3. L.V.G. D V 1918 the Virtual Aircraft Museum retrieved Nov/09/2012-14:49 from: http://www.aviastar.org/air/germany/lvg_d-5.php
  4. L.V.G. D V 1918 flyingmachines.ru retrieved Nov/09/2012-14:44 from: http://flyingmachines.ru/Site2/Crafts/Craft25807.htm

Fokker Dr.I: Back in Black

Fokker Dr.I: Classic Black

Black profiles can be a challenge. Finding the right mid tone is important. You need to gain a bit of range through modeling with gradients. Once you're done, add the markings for that particular plane. The next step is building up layers of highlights to make the profile pop.

Working in monochrome is a great way to practice your luminosity skills. There are other benefits. You can create adjustment layers and alpha channels for masks. You can also colorize a monochrome layer.With practice you can layer patterns such as wood grain or complicated lozenge schemes.


This is one of the iconic black triplane for me. I love the simplicity of it. All the surfaces which would have been blue or the standard streaked paint were painted black.


Jasta 12 used white cowlings and black tail-lanes. The wings are painted in the standard streaked upper surfaces and pale blue under-surfaces. The wing and landing gear struts are pale blue. Notable are the old style Iron Cross markings and the black rudder.


This is another plane from Jasta 12. The basic paint scheme is the same. The personal markings are different and the rudder is white. Please note, it bears the more modern Maltese Cross as ordered in the spring of 1918.


The Jasta is indicated by the white cowling and yellow, black striped tail-plane. Once again the wings are painted in the streaked and blue scheme. The number "4" is repeated on the top of the fuselage near to the tail-plane. Notable is the lack of a cross on the fuselage and the black paint over the original Iron Cross to make the new Maltese Cross.