Alberto Casirati's Nieuport Models
This 1/72nd model was converted from the Esci Ni. 17 kit. As usual, cockpit interiors
were scratchbuilt in plasticard and stretched sprue, while the engine cowling
was shaped from 0.3mm sheet styrene. The engine was scratchbuilt, as as all struts,
the Lewis gun and tailplanes. Decals came from the Americal Gryphon range. The
model reproduces Ni. 3290 of the 85a Squadriglia A.R.E. (Aviazione del Regio Esercito),
Albania 1917.
Nieuport Triplane - This is an older project: a simple conversion from the classic
Revell 1/72nd kit of the Ni. 17. Scratchbuilt parts include cockpit interiors,
middle and lower wings, tailplanes, ribbing, gun and struts. The upper wing was
carved from a Ni. 17 upper wing. Engine and wheels by Aeroclub. Real laminated
wood propeller by Martin Digmayer.
Nieuport 17 - The model is based on the classic 1/72nd Revell kit. Scratchbuilt
parts included the upper fuselage forward decking, the interior details, the rudder,
all struts, ribbing and the Vickers gun, together with smaller details. Wings'
sweepback was corrected and the upperwing openings added. The engine cowling was
reworked with a modelling drill, which was also used to add the typical cooling
vents. Engine and wheels from Aeroclub, airscrew from a real laminated wood Camel
prop by Martin Digmayer. Rigging is stainless steel wire, applied with thinned
white glue. The model reproduces one of Capt. Francesco Baracca's mounts. Capt.
Baracca was Italy's "Ace of aces" and totalled 34 confirmed victories before being
shot down and killed in 1918.
Nieuport 11 - The model is based on the Toko 1/72nd kit of the Nieuport Ni.11.
The model depicts one of the aeroplanes flown by the 76a Squadriglia of the Aeronautica
del Regio Esercito in 1916.
Interiors, fuselage and wing struts, the undercarriage, the Lewis gun and
its mounting and horizontal tail surfaces were scratchbuilt in plasticard and
stretched sprue.
The engine cowling was reworked to more accurate shapes and proportions. The
engine was replaced with an Aeroclub item and all edging to fuselage and flying
surfaces was done by means of pre-painted decal strips. Although severe critics
were published about this kit's outlines, comparing the enclosed pictures with
some contemporary photographs of the real machine shows that, once completed,
this kit seems pretty accurate.
Here are the pictures I promised to you of my 1/72nd Revell Nieuport Ni.28.
Cockpit interiors and ribbing were scratchbuilt, just as struts and guns.
Wheel and airscrew came from Aeroclub, while the engine cowling was modified
by careful sanding and drilling. Decals by Superscale and Americal-Gryphon.
This was the model with which I came back to WW1 aircraft modelling after a
very long period during which modelling (of all sorts) was just a dream......
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