Hi All’

I’ve noticed in some cases the position of the German cross when applied to swept wing aircraft, is paralell to the fuselage (2) and in others the cross follows more or less the angle of the sweep of the wing (3).

I wondered if anyone has a take on this, official or otherwise.

Of course this dilema dosen’t arise with straight wing aircraft (1).



Cheers and Thanks
Peter

Peter,
I'm not sure how major an issue this is. The RLM probably didn't get around to defining a standard for swept wing markings as most were prototypes or never got off paper. Manufactures, as we all know, take liberties. There is a well published photo of three Northrop aircraft flying in formation and one has the national insignia on the wrong wing.
Convention would say IMHO follow the rules for straight wing aircraft for insignia placement, but follow your heart. What looks good, looks good.

Thanks Chuck,
I was thinking the same but I asked just in case....

Cheers
Peter

Hi Peter, actually there was an official RLM spec regarding the upper wing Balkencruez on the 262. It was your example 2 illustration. However, like many RLM specs, it was not always complied with. There are photographic examples of both your illustrations 2 and 3.
Mike
a
b
e
n
...hth

Pete,
Hmm. Most of my references, books and kit instructions, show something along the lines of your figure (3).

The crosses do not seem perfectly parallel with the leading edge, but either:

a. Look parallel to, or have the 'top' of each cross 'angle' touching the same panel line.

Or

b. Split the difference between the wing's leading and trailing edge angles, following an imaginary center line to the fuselage. (Which is sometimes a panel line!)

Figure (3) seems to follow (b).

I hope this makes sense to you. Re-reading it confuses me, but I don't know how else to word it.

Hi Keith and Mile...
thanks for your comments.

Any directive covering the crosses would probably gone the same way as paint applications late in the war...chaos.

I too have seen examples that match both 2. and 3. but as most advanced aircraft were luft 46 stuff and therefore seen as artists impressioins I supose a little lee-way is acceptable either way.

I used to follow 3. on my models but have switched to 2. lately.

Ah well...I think Chuck is right...either way if it looks right.

Cheers and thanks
Peter