High over the skies of early twentieth century Europe, a war was being fought.  Hordes of aircraft hovered around one another, firing at close distances with their primitive weaponry and fairly young aircraft.  Those were the days of the bi-plane, a revolutionary asset to warfare and a great feat for the allied forces.  Among the many bi-planes used to fight the Germans was the Nieuport 17.  The chosen aircraft of many of WWI’s French Flying Aces, it soon became one of the most popular aircraft used by the allied forces and served U.S., Italian, Russian, and Belgian militaries.

Academy’s new 1/32 Nieuport 17 kit is a tribute to this classic aircraft.  Fine detail has been added to this kit that might have been missed in smaller scales.  Realistic rivets, panel lines, and highly detailed engines and guns are a few of this kit’s great features.  Also, Academy is the only one to produce a 1/32 scale Nieuport 17, and its large size makes the finished product a pristine replication of the real thing.

Building before the battle 

A total of nine paints are needed to give this kit a truly authentic look.  After the body is painted with flat aluminum paint, the only other painting required is several small pieces, such as the engine, guns, and propeller.  Although Academy has made this kit fairly easy to assemble, there are many small parts that will require some skill and patience.  Construction begins inside the cockpit with the seat and several small parts comprising a realistic cockpit of WWI aircraft.  Four parts make up the very detailed engine, which are then attached to the fuselage along with the propeller.

When moving on to the wings, the modeler should make sure to place the model on a flat surface while the lower wings are drying, since they tend to droop if this isn’t done.  The tail fin is a bit tricky too, as it just rests on the very tip of the posterior of the body.  The modeler will have to carefully hold this piece in place while it dries; a crooked tail fin isn’t much help in battle!

The kit also features two detailed machine-gun cannons.  One is mounted atop the fuselage, while the other is mounted on the upper wing.  The first must be applied before the upper wing is added, while the second should be put on after the upper wing is added and the glue has dried.

Perhaps the most challenging part of the construction process is adding the string rigging.  There are a series of holes to loop the rigging through the fuselages and rear of the aircraft.  A very steady hand is needed to apply the string to the wings, as there are no holes; it’s a matter of touch gluing the string at one end, and then applying the other end after it dries.  A close eye on the instructions helps at this point.

Deck it out how you want

Finally when the glue sets, the decals must be applied.  Academy’s Nieuport 17 kit features decals for two variations.  The first is probably the most popular version: the markings of Lieutenant Charles Nungesser’s French Air Force aircraft used in the fall and winter of 1916.  The colors of the French flag are embodied on the tail fin and upper and lower wings.  A skull and crossbones within a black heart are on either side of the fuselage.

The second variation is the markings of Capitaine Georges Guynemer used in 1917.  This variation will require a bit more painting before the decals are applied.  The wings must first be painted with dark brown and dark green in a camouflage pattern, so it’s a good idea for the modeler to decide which variation to use when doing the initial painting.  The decals are very similar to the first variation, except the French flag bulls-eye may be left off the upper wing, and the skull and crossbones is replaced with a phoenix.  Also, the number "2" is applied to both sides of the fuselage and the upper wing, and a banner stating "Vieux Charles" is attached to both sides of the aircraft.

Excellent detail and modest challenge are the kit’s strongest assets.  Academy’s 1/32 Nieuport 17 is sure to spark the eye of any WWI and aircraft modeler.  And with all this kit offers, no modeler will be disappointed.  Pick one up and rule the French skies!  Buy the Nieuport 17 model kit now! 

Copyright (c) 2001 Horizon Hobby Distributors.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.