WW1 German Printed Fabric

[BLOWHARD]

This isn't really a tutorial but more like a reference guide. Feel free to add any other information to this if you'd like.
*Please note that I don't claim any expertise in this subject, most of this falls under the heading "generality" and may have holes and errors.

I'm not going to get into the details of what planes to put the camouflage on or which is used where or is historically accurate. Just know that you'll need to dig into some HEAVY research on the plane you want to paint if it will be historically accurate. If your intention isn't historical accuracy, please have fun as possible!

Here is a short description-
In April of 1917 an order was given that all German planes would be covered in preprinted camouflage fabric. Of course there are many exceptions.
Why the funny shapes and colors? No one knows for sure but many plausible theories exist. Suffice it to say that planes were generally covered in printed camouflage fabric of multiple colors.
The standard day camouflage was in the form of irregular polygons in darker shades for upper surfaces and a lighter shades for the lower surfaces. Basically 2 sets were used, 4 color and 5 color. There was also a marine pattern, only for upper surfaces, using regular hexagons.
Also a night camouflage pattern existed.
Austria-Hungary had their own camouflage not to be confused with the German type.
I'll concentrate on the 4 and 5 color camouflage as I've done no real research into the marine and night patterns.

This is the complicated part, no one can agree on what the exact colors are! :P
There are many original fabric samples but they are not all the same. That is to say the colors. The pattern itself never varies, or enough to make a difference. The 4 color and five color fabrics are very uniform in pattern. But color...OH...
There are theories and data to explain it partly, then there is the time factor. Has the color on this fabric changed due to age?

On to the 4 and 5 color fabric-
I've come up with a number of various color combinations using what I've got in books and also several great online sources.
My samples-

(Mark Miller)


(Aerodrome Forum)


A zip file of a PSD with 21 layers, labeled as to who's color research was used on each is attached. Fun to play with. (if you like this sort of thing)
*greatly reduced in size*
new_lozenge.psd.zip

What to do with it? Well, more research is needed on your part. Manufactures all had procedures for how it was applied to the plane and whether 4 or 5 color was used. Usually the strips were sewn together chordwise to make a piece big enough for the wings. Fuselage sides, tops and bottoms were usually covered lengthwise. Some manufacturers laid strips on the wings diagonally-

Rib tapes were also applied afterward. These tapes could be cut from thin strips of the printed fabric itself but also in 1 or both of 2 colors, pale blue and salmon pink. Sometimes one of these colors was used for both top and bottom. If both colors were used generally the blue is used on the upper surfaces and the pink on the lower.

Here is the really juicy part, where you can find the best info online!
World War I Modeling Page is a great one stop super-shop! And features research by Mark Miller!!!
5 color-
5 color lozenge
More 5 color-
Lozenge Camouflage Information
4 color-
4 color loz

For truly scholarly and VERY lengthy report, look no further than the expert himself, Dan-San Abbot and Welcome to The Aerodrome - Aces and Aircraft of World War I
A reprint of Dan-San's most excellent article on German camouflage from WW1 Aero Magazine-
German Army Air Force Camouflage Systems - The Aerodrome Forum
The EPIC 11 page fabric color research thread with RGB notes-
German camouflage colors. - The Aerodrome Forum

Some additional info and images-
German Lozenge Camoflage
Fabric from a Halberstadt
Fabric from Pfalz D
Lozenge Camouflage

A few more images found on the web-




Enjoy

Kindly provided by Targetware :: Unlimited Expansion Flight Sims

[RAF_Loke]

YES it was that I was thinking of
Thanks!

Sry for not replying before now.

[UF_Zargos]

Great idea an very usefull work indeed !
Many thanks