Nieuport 17 Question

Eduard has released two 1/48 scale kits of the Nieuport 17 – one as Guynemer’s “Vieux Charles”, with markings for both N1530 and N1531. The second is one of their “Prof/Pack” series, with Aeromaster decals, and photoetched detail parts included (interestingly, it is not exactly the same as their separate detail set, which I also bought for the “Vieux Charles” release). The newer release includes markings forNungesser’s N1490 & 1895, Lufbery’s N1844, Baracca’s N2614, and N2232, flown by Capt. Krutyenyi of the Russian Air Force. The kits are very nice – Eduard’s plastic parts have improved greatly.

For a price only $5 higher (at least here in the States), the Prof/Pack also has optional wing and cowling parts – and here is where my question comes in. Both kits feature the upper wing with a large opening, presumably covered with clear panels. The second also has a wing with a solid center section, but it is listed as only used for the Baracca aircraft. I was under the impression that the clear panels were only used on a small number of Ni17’s. Can anyone with references on any of these particular aircraft (especially Nungesser and Guynemer) verify for me which wing would be correct?

Thanks in advance,
Rich

Haven't gone through all references but so far the only one I have a top wing picture for is Nungesser's N1895 - no clear panels evident. If you want I can E-Mail you the photo and color schemes for some of the aircraft. I have about 8 damned photos of the other aircraft but no top wing view. I'll look some more. Let me know about the photo and color profiles.

[rudder]

Solid upper wing was by far the most common I have a orignal photo of Nungesser's Nie17 given to me by a relative of his and it has solid upper wing I also built replica Nieuports, I have a Nie16b and am in process of building a new Nie23 and I know of no replicas with transparent panel
TaTa for now,
Lft.Dwight Rudder, RFC
'GREAT WAR AEROPLANES ASSO.'

John & Dwight,

Thanks for your replies. I always assumed that the solid upper wing was the norm, and that only a few had the transparent panels. You've confirmed this for me; I just don't know if ANY of the particular aircraft depicted would have had the modification. Eduard, in their instructions, make it appear that it's the other way round - not the first time a model kit company has gotten their options confused. I only wish they'd included the solid wing in the Guynemer release. Except for having these markings, I'd recommend getting the other release for anyone interested.

Now, I just have to decide which to build - those upper wing stripes on Nungesser's are striking, but I like the camouflage, both on his other machine, and on one of the Guynemer options. Then there's Baracca, with the red & green wing undersides used by the Italians. Any pictures or info you have would be appreciated, if you'd want to provide it. Still wonder if one of these had the clear panels - guess I'll have to try to order Albatros' Nieuport Fighters, if it's still available! (BTW, FineScale Modeler's review says that the gear struts are a little long, so I need to get some good drawings, anyway.)

Thanks,
Rich

I just re reed profile number 49 concerning the Nieuport 17. There was no mention of the transparent panel you mentioned or was there a picture of it either. The text maentions that the top wing was at pilots eye level and the drawings show a large cut out in the upper wing for visibility. That would seem to make the need for a transparent panel un necessary.

Leo,

Thank you for your response, but in references I have, there are photographs of Nieuport 17's with these panels. In Squadron's "Nieuport Fighters in Action", there are photos on pages 23 and 24 which clearly show this. I also have the old "Color Profiles of WWI Combat Planes", which has a small, and unfortunately not very clear, photo of Nungesser's N 1895. The center section looks like it COULD possibly have the cutout, but it may just be the mechanism for a machine gun above the wing - it's hard to tell.

I admit that this modification appears to have been rare, but just wondered if anyone had proof of its use on any of the above-mentioned aircraft. It appears that no definitive answer is easily available. If I were to guess, in any individual case (without any other information), I'd go with the solid upper wing. The only problem is that one of the kits would require extra work to fill in the center section. Wish I could find evidence to support building one of each.

Rich

It seems kind of silly to be answering my own question (at least in part), but you never know just where you might stumble over something right under your nose. I once lucked into a copy of Albatros Productions' "Aces & Aeroplanes 1 - Werner Voss". Their books have always been hard to find, but nobody does a better job on WWI aircraft (and since Voss is one of my personal favorites, I sure couldn't pass this one up - also has a beautiful center-spread profile of his DIII!). Anyway, inside the back cover, which I'd forgotten, is the promo for Vol.2, on Georges Guynemer. There's a sort of fuzzy black-and white print, apparently of the cover for this volume. By looking under a magnifier, I can make out that it is of N1530 - and it obviously has the open areas in the upper wing! Barring any contradictory evidence, I think I'll assume this is correct.

I still would welcome any help on the other machines mentioned, since I plan on doing 2 versions.

Rich

Not anything new I guess- but just found a nice picture of Guynemers N17 - definitely clear panels. Looks sharp too, - I'll E-Mail you the picture tonight. Got to get back to work !
I'll keep looking on the others !

Rick, I have some color scheme info in my files for Guynemer's N17, and will be happy to send it to you. If you want to send me your mailing address to my home ID, I'lll get a copy off to you.

It is from an early Windsock (vol 1 and best of Vol 1 if memeory serves me correctly), and is basically a factrory finish with the upper surfaces of the wings camouflaged green and
brown. Windsock is put out by Albatros Porductions, and yes, the early issues are hard to come by.

Sounds like you already have what you need for Nungesser, but will see what I might have there too.