Reference Information Request

Just received a 1/4 scale Nieuport 17-C as a 50th birthday gift.

This bird will have an extremely detailed LeRhone engine replica in the cowl, so it will be electric powered in flight. Think large AXI!

Wish to authenticate the bird and pedigree it for a particular pilot. Am asking for suggestions/reference material to research an obscure although faithful Escadrille Lafayette pilot, his motto, and his insignia for replication on this bird.

I am looking for one who is not well known, but who was a reliable pilot in his service record.

Guess I'm looking for a comprehensive history of this unit, along with bios and stuff on the pilots.

There's approximately 269 pilots to choose from, but need more info before making a selection. Would prefer NOT to do the "eenie, mienie, moe..." approach.

If you can provide me with links, and/or names of books to purchase, I will be very appreciative.

Suggestions from the community for this project are hereby solicited and welcomed........


Sincerely and Respectively,


Dave Babb

PS This will probably be the markings on the full size N17 that my daughter is asking me to build her. She's a full scale pilot.

[Lucky Dog]

Great project Dave!

And Happy Birthday! I just turned the big 50 myself (5-21).

There is a museum here in the US dedicated to the Escadrille Lafayette, I don't have info at my fingertips, though someone here surely will.

Another source might be Russel Smith Russ is around here on the forum too.

And of course a Google Search should give numerous resources for you project.

For modeling resources. Windsock Data File #20 "Nieuport 17", is good, as well as Squadron's "Nieuport" Fighters and I have a copy of the old Profile Publication on the Nieuport 17 that I can make copies of for if you need them.

Good luck, and please keep us informed of your progress.

Mike

Hello Mike,

In my web crawling, I do believe that you built and flew a 1/4 N-17 scale from a short kit from Laser Arts here in Colorado Springs, derived from Scratch a plane plans. Am I correct?

And at some point, post build and trim, I'd like to be a part of the dawn patrol. (my AMA # is 884328. My old 5 digit number is lost and I had to resign up as new. )

Birds in line are a museum quality N-17 (Arizona Models base to be displayed at the Lafayette Air Corps memorial in France, still working out the details.), SE-5A, N-28, and of course the Sopwith.


There is a museum only about three hours from where I live.

http://www.lafayettefoundation.org/

They are in Ft Lupton, CO. And I've sent an email requesting a personal appointment to do some research and photo shoots with the curator.

I'll start there.........


Thanks for the reply!


Dave......

[Lucky Dog]

Hi Dave,
Yup, that was me, or rather us. We had 13 kits cut actually. I built mine as Siemens Schuckert D1.

Sounds like you have a lot of great projects in line.

Consider yourself a member of the Dawn Patrol. All it takes is the desire.