ArdChoile

Update on replica Pfalz in New Zealand.

I just recieved an email from Graham Orphan of Classic Wings Magazine in New Zealand. The Omaka Collection in New Zealand now own both Pfalz that were built for the movie "Blue Max" and both will be on display and flying at the Airshow in April of this year.

They acquired the "Tiger-Pfalz" by Doug Bianchi previously owned by Peter Jackson and then found the second Viv Bellamy machine in Alabama in 1999. They took the second back to New Zealand and fully restored that aircraft to flying condition.

Nice to know both "Blue Max" aircraft are now housed together and being given the care they deserve.

abufletcher

Kind of greedy of those Kiwis to snap up both! Maybe they'd be willing to loan one out to someplace in the northern hemisphere.

Erich_Prinz

Absolutely agree! - If it means safety over adherence to historical integrity, safety wins in my book every time. It doesn't degrade the subject matter - only serves to enhance it. Very cool indeed.

Mode One

I don't know that the engine installed in the Blue Max replica was done for safety reasons, I think it was done because the Mercedes engines are rare and what WAS available had exhaust to the left.

Mode One

Abu, Your close, go down there and talk the Kiwis outa one.

ArdChoile

I have some more questions here.

The former No. V in the attached drawing shows diagonal bracing.

1. Were these braces on both sides or just the forward face?

2. The drawing shows the laminations for most of the formers, except those that are .475 thickness. How were the laminations for these formers done?

Any help with this question would be appreciated.

On another note. Seth, hows that beast of yours coming along? It's been a while since we've had an update. Must just about be due for some new photos.

Happy flying

Ard

ArdChoile

Might actually help if I upload the drawing too.

Sethhunter

Com'in along Ard!

Not to much "photogenic" to post. Been painting the wings/struts. Should have the crosses on 'em within a week and will post pics then. I also ordered a 1/4 scale model of Fritz Hohn from the Pilot People. Other news - been cutting out cardboard templates of engines trying to see what will fit best (well, least worst), struggling to find the best way to make wheel covers, and this has been fun; recreating the Pfalz logo in a graphics program (Xara) so I can shrink it down and hold good resolution. Picked a lathe to buy (Grizzley) to make the spinner mold (never pass up an opportunity to buy a tool for my other hobbies). Bought some beautiful mirrors from Edmund Scientific to make the rear view mirrors. Hope to have a motor on order within a week; the build should get interesting when the powerplant comes in!

ArdChoile

Once again, outstanding workmanship Seth, your attention to detail is second to none. Keep them photos coming!!!

Can't wait to see the engine go into it. Have you settled on a powerplant yet?

Erich_Prinz

.
Incredible. WOW. Stunning. I'm pretty speachless.
.

Nice to see it made the mainden voyage out of the basement!

I'm not familiar with the Pfalz logo - could you post that up - high rez please - I'd like a copy unless there is an easier way to get it.

Would also like to see the photos of the project in high rez to scope out all the detail you've put into the aircraft - if possible and you don't mind.

Thanks for the inspiration Seth!

BobH

My Feedback: (2)

Seth, She's a real beauty. Your work is wonderful. I hope to get to see it in person some day. Looking foward to seeing the finished plane..

arspievack

Seth,
You recent is even enough to get me awake. Glad to see you bought a house with a double door so you can get the thing outside. Do you have atruck that it will fit in?
Do you plan to do a magazine article on the project? It would be a spectacular hit.
Coverfite or similar will make good wheel covers.
Thanks , great job.
alan

ArdChoile

Erich,

Not sure whether you got the copy of the Pfalz logo so I'll post the one I have.

ArdChoile

Sethhunter

ArdCholie,
That looks like the logo reproduced by Groz in Datafile 21. It's worth noting there's a varient published in the Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 71 Pfalz Scout Aces of WWI that is a little clearer and definitely different. I'm not sure which is more authentic. The second attachment is my attempt to redraw the Osprey. I didn't get the colors quite right - turns out I just used the scanned image on the model. Will post some progress pics in a day or two!

Sethhunter

Hey everyone. A few pictures to update progress. Wheel covers are done. I ended-up making a draw-string to secure them to the rim. Worked OK but I don't think Coverite is the easiest material to use for this app. Also shown are two views of the mirrors. Fritz Hohn was the only pilot I know who used 2 mirrors. I didn't find any details on mounting, or whether the glass was flat or radiused. I used radiused, and fashioned a simple tube/bracket mount. Moving on to the final rigging and aileron cable outlets, details of the "office," and lastly engine. Moving along!

PS - Alan; not sure about the transportaion. I had an Extended Aerostar that just died. I don't know if this will fit in my Jeep Grand Cherokee. Might have to put an enclosure on one of my light trailors.

PS2 - I just had an awful thought. I sure hope those are mirrors in the picture, not some other gauge they stuck up there!!!!

Erich_Prinz

Super, thanks for posting the logo as I didn't get a copy.

Given the era, I'm inclinded to think the first photo posted by Seth would represent the authentic logo - but that's just my take on it.

Seth, looks great as usual! I think I might be sounding like a broken record, or is that CD these days. :-)

arspievack

Seth,
The wheel covers look great. No surprise to me.
I used coverite because it was the best material available back then. I fluted the outer edge as you have and then used contact cement to adhere the tabs to the inside of the wheel rim. Then I cut a long strip of coverite to cement around the tabs.
Then replaced the wheel. I never had a bit of trouble, The covers stayed tight and never needed repair or replacement.
I used white glue to fake the stitching around the spokes at the outer wheeel rim and then cut a circular strip to cover the glue bumps. I believe the linen covers on the real ones were secured with cord stitches at both the hub and outer edge.

Your masterpiece continues to amaze us all. You didn't say whether you were going to do a magazine article but I hope you will. It will be one of the best ever published.

alan

Mode One

Seth, I agree with Alan, please produce a Magazine Article on your Pfalz. In this over ARFed hobby, it is so refreshing to see and talk to people whom still love to build!

Bud Faulkner

My Feedback: (1)

That plane belongs in a museum PERIOD!!! One of the finest if not THE finest scratchbuilts I've ever seen.

Seth...I have the book you referred to earlier by the Gougeon brothers (I'm an antique runabout nut) and envy your talents. I've done work for the museum when I was young and had good eyes but I'm humbled by yours. Nuff said.

Bud

ArdChoile

Seth,

Those wheel covers look great, and as the others said, it would make an awesome magazine article. Keep up the outstanding work.
A pleasure to watch.

Ard

Sethhunter

Appreciate the support everyone. Personally I'm reserving comments until it flies!! The idea of a magazine article is cool, but since I lost the plans on my computer, I'm not sure publishers would be interested. For that matter, it does seem readership interests are turning away from building. Maybe the next project - a simpler design with plans might be of more interest? Thinking of one of the other lessor known Pfalz designs - DVIII or tripe.

arspievack

I always threatened myself with the Pf. D-12.
ars

skylarkmk1

Erich,

With the Blue Max Pfalz scaled appropriately, the new The IL-300 Dia-Star 4-Cylinder 4-Stroke Inline Engine from OS would have the exhaust on the correct side.

Sethhunter

Yep - D-12 is a nice ship too. Nicely proportioned, good moments. Smithsonian A&S on the mall has one hanging from the ceiling. Has anyone published plans?

IL-300; isn't that the number of $10 bills you need to buy one?!

arspievack

no plans but some one did a small stand -off many years ago.
I have enough material to do a decent job but not enough eye sight of steady hand anymore.
I have seen the one at the Smithsonium.
ars