It was probably Cellon, invented by Arthur Eichengrün in 1908. A 0.25mm thick flexible plastic film used for making windshields for cars and planes, its most famous use was probably the "invisible" planes made by the Germans during the war, the best known of which was this eindecker.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psgs5pn5ih.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psiitwpil3.jpg

Tests showed that while the plane was nearly invisible from the ground, from above the sun reflecting off the skin was like a giant beacon saying "HERE I AM!"


Oh, yeah. Eichengrün is also known for the controversy over whether he was the inventor of Aspirin.
http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/Aspirin...l/INVENTOR.htm

Main paint done. It's an early camouflage done "in the field", at a French Escadrille de Marine.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psv9wmmnnf.jpg

Like it! Rise of Flight climate ;) !

Yet again I'll be attempting to build one of the super-detailed engine kits from Small Stuff Models. This one makes either the Clerget 9z (110 hp) or 9B (130 hp). The cylinders, pushrods, spark plugs and valve rockers are all separate pieces. The first one I tried, the Oberursel 0.I, was a complete mess. If it works it will add a lot. If not, I have other single-piece engine castings I can use. They just don't look as good.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psddvyrgpj.jpg

First task was to glue the cylinders to the crankcase.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...pswxn0j9ut.jpg


Next was to drill out the back and install the mounting pin and tubes that will hopefully let it spin.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psxecfoveu.jpg


All the little holes where the tiny pushrods, rocker arms and sparkplugs can be seen.

Exhaust pipes mounted.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psgab3azvc.jpg

I love the paint work on this aircraft. And Wow to that small detailed engine work going on there :o
I hope it all works out well for you :up:

I didn't touch the model Monday or Tuesday. Wednesday I got to work on the tiny pushrods and rockers, and got more and more frustrated at my inability to get it right. Then I did some checking and found out that it's not going to fit inside the cowling anyway. Thursday we got together for a game and yesterday I spent recovering. My knees hurt and I didn't sleep well anyway.

Today I dug out one of the kit engines, which looks pretty good by itself, and painted and mounted it.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psc0pnjhht.jpg



I have two more of the Small Stuff engines. The Mercedes D.III looks like a fairly simple build, but I expect I'll have the same fumble-finger and fit problems with the Oberursel U.III. Still, this one's getting finished. It's only been another two-and-a-half months.

Cowling installed, wood sections painted, pilot painted and installed. The observer is also painted, but he has to go in last due to the nature of his gun mounting.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ps8kaeclik.jpg

Markings are on:

Cockades on the bottoms of both wings. With the Nieuports they feared that ground gunners might not see the tiny ones on the lower wings.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psd3dh6drt.jpg


The camouflage was applied in the field, so the top markings were painted over

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psrj24jtrw.jpg


This machine was from a naval escadrille, hence the anchor on the tail.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...pssdnykvoq.jpg


Unfortunately the decals didn't set properly, so I'm going to have to make tiny holes in them and add more setting solution. It should work, but if not I'll have to take them off and do them over.

Observer and gun. The Etévé mounting was yet another attempt to overcome the lack of a synchronized gun for the pilot. Slow, heavy and cumbersome, it was all the Allies had in the way of a forward-firing gun for two seaters.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psliddlc4f.jpg

First thing today I cut the rear supports for the gun ring loose and reset them. Then came several hours of fidgeting and fussing and fighting, but the top wing is finally on.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ps5uvtdbo6.jpg

All done but the rigging. It should be finished tomorrow.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psc3qst81q.jpg

After more than two months of fiddling around, the Nieuport 12 is finally finished. It's been a slow year compared to the previous two, but at least something is done. I'm quite happy with it.

Front quarter view.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psdyj4m7ev.jpg

Rear quarter view.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psnc0w3gzg.jpg

Right close-up, showing the Etévé mounting.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psiikdbmim.jpg

Right front close-up, showing the 110-hp Clerget 9z engine.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ps1iubqmtz.jpg

Top view, showing the cutout. The clear material is a small piece of plastic food wrap.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psziazav2c.jpg

Engine run-up. I've mentioned many times about having an engine not fit properly, or for some other reason having it not spin, or at least not spin well. This one spins the way it's supposed to.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...pshkmt4kgq.jpg

It came out nicely Steve. I'm sorry for the modelling frustration you endured because I empathize completely. Some simpler projects just fight you seemingly out of spite while other complicated ones go smoothly. I like the color scheme on this one as well.

Have a wonderful holiday.