Five Colour Pattern ‘Flugzeugstoff’ or more popularly ‘Lozenge’ fabric
First Look comparison
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Now that there is a range of after-market five colour 1/32 lozenge decals from different suppliers I thought it would be useful to put them side by side and see how they look.
To introduce the comparison I would like to quote from Wingnut Wings opening paragraph in their decal instructions:
Quoted Text
It is unlikely that there has been a single topic more controversial amongst WWI aircraft modellers than the subject of 'the correct' colours for German lozenge camouflage decals. Many different manufacturers have produced lozenge decals in the past and will continue to do so in the future, most of which have reportedly had their colours matched to existing samples of fabric, sometimes in person but frequently through intermediaries. Yet there is a great disparity in the colours presented by the various manufacturers.
There is no extent Idflieg report specifying what dyes were used so the question of colour accuracy will probably never be settled conclusively. There are however a multitude of surviving original flugzeugstoff fabric pieces which have been studied. This doesn’t provide conclusive evidence for colours either, however, because after being stored for around ninety years in a variety of conditions the fabric can become faded and the dope finish discoloured. Nevertheless it’s a key place to start.
This review covers 1/32 five colour lozenge decals from three suppliers: D.B. Decals, Wingnut Wings and Pheon Models.
D.B. Decals
Doug Baumann is the talented modeller behind D.B Decals. About 18 months ago he set out to produce a range of more accurate lozenge decals by tapping in to the opinions of a number of experts at the forum at theaerodrome.com. Doug went through an iterative process, posting digital images, receiving feedback and refining the colours until finally achieving a consensus. Initially he made the digital images available for modellers to download for free and print at home. He is also now selling decal sheets he has printed himself for modellers who don’t find it convenient to do themselves.
The decals are inkjet printed on a white decal sheet and must be clear-coated before use to prevent the ink from running. They are produced as bolt-width lengths which must be cut to shape.
To my eye the colours are not completely solid or uniform but have a ‘fabric appearance’ which, although probably not in scale, provides a desirable effect.
Instructions with the decals are minimal and there is no guidance on historical application, the assumption being perhaps that this is readily available elsewhere.
Price: US$15 for two 8.5x11 sheets (top and bottom designs) or $10 for a single sheet. Includes free postage worldwide.
Ordering & Payment: Available directly from Doug by email to [email protected]. Payment by Paypal.
Wingnut Wings
Wingnut Wings first produced five colour lozenge decals for their LVG C.IV kit and then recently released the lozenge decals as separate items. The design has been subtly improved since they first came out with the LVG and the ‘pixellated’ appearance of some of the colours has been reduced. These decals are also in bolt-width lengths which must be cut to length.
The lozenge decal sets come with a well illustrated instruction sheet in the same style as their kit instructions, including period photos of lozenge covered aircraft.
As part of their research Wingnut Wings staff personally examined original lozenge fabric material and colour-matched their decals under natural daylight conditions. According to the instructions their sample material came from undoped and un-faded dyed areas from where the edges had been folded over to sew the panels together. Working with their decal printers, Cartograf, multiple samples of each lozenge decal were printed before Wingnut Wings were completely happy that the colours matched their research findings. The decals therefore represent factory-fresh original colours and are somewhat brighter than the other two products.
Top and bottom lozenge sheets, and rib tapes, are sold separately.
Price: $12.50 each for top or bottom lozenge decals, $7.50 for an A4 sheet of rib tapes (pink, blue and clear doped linen). Includes free postage worldwide. So a sheet each of upper, lower and rib tapes would total US$32.50 and this would probably give enough lozenge for at least two Albatros kits.
Available only direct from Wingnut Wings at http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww . Payment is by Paypal.
Pheon Models
Pheon have just released 1/32 five colour lozenge decals tailored specifically for the Wingnut Wings Albatros DV/DV.a kit. The decals come as ‘cookie cutter’ shapes to fit the wings, rudder and tailplane. Rib tapes are printed in place, including leading and trailing edge tapes, and strengthening tapes around the aileron hinges and inspection panels. This will greatly reduce the time and effort required. The decals come in two options: with blue rib tapes or with pink (note that a mixed set, say blue top tapes and pink lower tapes is not available).
Additional tapes are provided in case modellers wish to portray the supplementary tapes sometimes seen on the lower wings. There is also a decal for the fabric covering behind the pilots seat, in both upper and lower colours.
Pheon’s lozenge decals have been developed in collaboration with Richard Andrews and Harry Green from theaviattic.com, who provided the historical research and undertook the colour matching to surviving fabric samples. The decals are printed by Fantasy Printshop in the UK and are printed over a white base for improved opacity.
The decals come with two booklets. The first outlines the development and use of printed camouflage fabric on German aircraft in WWI, including references to useful websites, and the second provides extensive modellers notes for applying the decals. Lots of great advice here and worthy of close attention.
Pheon are working on cookie cutter lozenge sets for other aircraft including four colour lozenge pattern.
Price: £19.50 plus P&P. Payment by Paypal
Available only direct from Pheon Models by email to: [email protected]
Post & packing: £3.60 to the UK & Europe, £4.95 to the rest of the world
To be continued . . .
