Luftwaffe aircraft font needed in digitized format for Me 163 B restoration

[Richard T. Eger]

Dear All,

As part of the Me 163 B restoration at Legend Flyers, we are in need of a digitized version of font style HgN 10151 as shown in the upper right hand figure in Ken Merrick's latest Luftwaffe Camouflage and Markings book, volume two, page 426.

If anyone has or knows where this can be found, it would aid the project immeasureably in developing stencils for the numerous markings on this aircraft.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

Regards,
Richard

[RolandF]

Maybe this source will help you:

http://www.physik.uni-wuerzburg.de/~vernalek/LWfont[RJO].zip

Just unzip this file into your WINDOWS/Fonts file.

Regards

Roland

[Richard T. Eger]

Dear Roland,

Since posting my request, I have been in contact with Ronnie Olsthoorn, the source of your information. We were also looking for lower case letters, which Ronnie has, but we noted that the "a" is without a tail, versus what is shown in the Merrick book. So, if anyone has a version that includes the tail, that is, matches the example in the Merrick book more closely, we would appreciate receiving such information.

Regards,
Richard

[ChrisMAg2]

Dear Richard,
i can't recall where i read this and i don't know how the "Merrick font" looks like, but i do remember most "experts" say the standard that comes closest to what you are seeking for is the german standard DIN 1451 (alt/ old, outdated version, prior 198x) and it is the version called "Mittelschrift D". Also note, another possible variety could be the "Engschrift". And also hand painted/ written varieties of "sans-serif-type" are possible.

Here is a place where you can find the complete font set according to your IT equipment:
http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/urw/mit...+&case=default

And here is a sample:

[Richard T. Eger]

Dear Christian,

Thank you for your helpful assistance. I've provided Legend Flyers with your information. It has occurred to me that they need to check the type of "a" that was actually in use on the Me 163. It is possible that things deviated from the font type shown in the Merrick figure.

Regards,
Richard

[RolandF]

Dear Richard,

To get an impression about the "Engschrift" (narrow type) DIN 1451 check here:

http://www.enkel.museumseisenbahn-hamm.de/prdin.htm

The description is about the stencilling at the Reichs Railway from 1906 and 1932. if you click "Hinweise zum Schriftsatz"

http://www.enkel.museumseisenbahn-hamm.de/hinwpr.htm

you´ll get some hints for stenciling and the distance between the different letters. Maybe this will help you further.

Regards

Roland

[Richard T. Eger]

Dear Roland,

Thank you for your further input, which I have e-mailed to Legend Flyers. I'm not sure whether the available digitized fonts provide for the proper letter spacing, so it is good to know exactly what it was supposed to be.

Regards,
Richard

[ChrisMAg2]

Originally Posted by Richard T. Eger

... I'm not sure whether the available digitized fonts provide for the proper letter spacing, so it is good to know exactly what it was supposed to be.

Richard,
with an appropriate layouting program (-and an experienced/ knowledgeable graphic designer-) that should not be a problem.

Anyhow, I think or would suggest, to not put too much effort on looking for the very exact layout. Don't worry too much about (minor) detailing differences, they won't necessarily "spoil" the job. I would assume, if you got a more then just general appearance, that should be more then just sufficient enough for authenticity. Finaly, also put some focus on orthography, grammar and correct terminology.

Of course more precision over all wouldn't be harmful either.

[Richard T. Eger]

Dear Christian,

Thank you for your further advice. We are using multiple sources on this. Richard Lutz provided us with what are supposed to be the official markings/lettering on the Me 163. Mike Grzebien has supplied some excellent photos from the restoration effort in 1996-97. A variety of other sources have provided both photos of this aircraft and the AWM Me 163 both before and after its restoration. Thus, we should be able to cross check reality versus specifications, and, of course, the DIN 1451 and other recommended fonts.

Regards,
Richard