1/32 Scale T&B Radiator (early) for Albatros D.III, D.V and D.Va
This is the “Early” version of the Teves & Braun airfoil radiator.
The earliest series built Albatros D.Vs and at least some D.IIIs sported a T&B radiator with a short header tank, no intake horn and a single support strake. Some artists depict it with the tubular breather pipe -- I don't see it in the photos but judge for yourself!
Most Albatros D.Vs and D.Vas however seem to have been fitted with the later style T&B radiator (available here) or the entirely different Daimler-Mercedes unit.
Our 3D printed replacement radiator for Albatros allows one to see through it, per the original. It fits the WNW kits with fairly minor modification; builders of the Roden D.III will have more work. A separate block provides a radiator cap.
1:32 Teves und Braun Airfoil Radiator for Albatros D.III, D.V and D.Va
Beginning with early production models of the D.II, Albatros scouts were fitted with Teves und Braun airfoil-shaped radiators mounted in the upper wing. At the time this configuration was thought to have aerodynamic advantages over the Windhoff "ear" radiators mounted on the sides of the fuselage of the preceding D.I and earliest D.II models. Another advantage was that combat damage wouldn't immediately result in all the coolant draining from the cylinder heads, unlike the lower-mounted Windhoffs. (Nevertheless Any damage to the radiator would certainly put the machine out of action in short enough order.) Teves und Braun seemed to supply the majority of the radiators fitted to Johannistal-built Albatros D.IIIs and D.Vs; later on Daimler-Mercedes supplied radiators as well and these seem to have been quite common on the D.Va and OAW-built D.IIIs. Incidentally the photographic evidence appears sparse regarding the fitting of the hand-operated shutters in conjuction with the T&B radiators; instead it seems these were exclusive, or nearly so, to the Daimler-Merecedes radiator equipped machines.
What's in the box?
Your Teves und Braun radiator will arrive in two parts; a single piece representing the radiator core, header tank and tower, and another sprue containing two filler caps and three intake horns. Note that only one each of the cap and horn are needed; the others are provided in case of loss or breakage.
Assembly
Carefully cut a filler cap from the sprue and cement into the hole at the top of the header tower using CA. Cut one of the intake horns from the sprue and CA into the hole in the front of the tower. You could also add a bolt head detail to each strap where it fastens to the wing. On the bottom, provision is made for you to add a drain cock in the rear of the right side wall. Check your references for these and other details.
Painting
The best information we have is that these radiators were dipped in molten solder and otherwise generally left unpainted and unfinished. Solder left unprotected will rapidly tarnish and turn to a dull grey. Like most things having to do with the Great War, there is plenty of room for interpretation. Check those references!
