Nungesser's N.17 1490

I am building a 1/48 scale model of Nungusser's N.17 1490 flown while temporarily attached to Escadrille Lafayette. I have 2 questions concerning the color scheme & have seen conflicting information (windsock even has 2 diff color undersurfaces in the datafile #20 & Nieuport datafile special #1). Was the undersurface clear doped linen or aluminum on this aircraft? Also was the center section clear cellon or overpainted in the camouflage colors? Thanks for any help. I am working on some models with fellow club members of Wings & Wheels modelers from Chicopee MA for a display of aircraft used by Lafayette Escadrille. This display will be placed in the New England Air Museum next April.
Dave Calhoun

The N-28 is usually never associated with the Lafayette Escadrille but Edw. Parsons states they were issued- well thought of by the pilots during brief usage- and then mysteriously withdrawn in exchange for the same SPAD VII types they had previously been been flying. The usual comments on the N-28 state it was never deployed in French service but apparently this is not completely factual as per ECP. The recent "WWI Aeroplane" of August '99 had a outstanding article on the problems of N-28 wing fabric loss and the severe political infighting between the First Pursuit Group squadron C.O.'s that liked them (the 27th and 147th) and the 94th and 95th that were pro-SPAD. Gen. Foulois came down hard on the pro-'28 faction and it has been stated that Bonnell of the 147th lost his command over his obstinancy. As is the norm for "WWI Aeroplane"- a very well-documented and historically intriguing article. For the purposes of your model making I would hope someone on the "Forum" might come up with a photo of a '28 with the "Indian Head" insignia. VBR. Lee

[rudder]

I believe he is asking about the Nie.17 not the Nie.28 big differance. I don't believe Charles Nungesser ever flew the Nie.28.

From: cara@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 1999 22:21:18 -0700 (MST)
To: Gary Craze <gcraze@onramp.net>
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From what little I have on Nungesser, the belly of the Nieuports would
have been painted silver-(blued) by the time he reached Escadrille N-65.
He was with the "Hussars" in 1914 and spent 6 months with them before
being transfered to Nieuports at Nancy.
He was not pleased at being attacked by a Sopwith Camel (camels reached
the front in July 1917) he painted a tricolor "V" on the upper wing
surface.
The last date given in "Aces High" was May 1917. Nungesser served 3 years
which would be 1915, and for this reason , and it being a N-17, I presume
the belly to be painted.
Sorry I have no information on the center section of his plane, nor
specifics of N-1490

Graham Lee
Designer of the Circa 7/8s scale Nieuport 11,12,17,27
More coming shortly