I have been researching the exact color of Degelows Pfalz D.IIIa, Jasta 40. I find the the Main fuse is Black but I am not sure if it is a flat or semi-gloss black, if anyone can assist me in this I would greatly appreciate it.

Greetings jmartin;

Despite what the kit instructions may say Degelow flew this machine with Jasta 7. On 23 March 1918 Ltn.d.R. Karl Degelow crash lands in a Pfalz D.IIIa and is unhurt. Ltn.d.R. Karl Degelow came from Jasta Schule I on 1 Sept 1917 . He was transferred out on 7June 1918 to Jasta 40.

His Pfalz D.IIIa was over all black with the stag insignia on the side. There is some gloss on the wings so the machine may have been recently painted. In small scales still with semigloss and dead flat. The gloss varnishes of the day lost their luster pretty quick in frontline operations.

During Aug. 1917 Degelow served briefly in Jasta 36. A tragedy during the strafing of a ground target had him shipped out . He wounded someone on the ground. His career was saved by the Jasta 36 and Jasta 7 commanders who saw real leadership capabilities in him.

See;
Cross & Cockade Intl. 20 #1 1989 “Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel Nr.36"
Cross & Cockade Intl.25 #2 1994 “Jasta 7 under Kobes Pt.I”
Cross & Cockade Intl.25 #3 1994 “Jasta 7 under Kobes Pt.II”

The author is some plugger that shows up here from time to time.

Thanks for the information, where can I find those articles that you are referring to?

Here you go. Good Hunting.
http://www.crossandcockade.com/

I will check that out, thanks again