[WWI] Imperial Russian Nieuport 17 color?

[Bill Michaels]

Hello,

I got a great deal on the 1/48 Eduard Nieuport 17 in Russian Service 
Special Edition kit (Clearance pricesd at $13).

I've never been a big fan of the Eastern Front, so I don't know much 
about the aircraft used there, but the price (and that cool mermaid 
decal) was too good to pass up.....!


My question:  Were Russian Nieuport 17s (and especially the one on the 
box art, with the mermaid) painted with aluminum dope like the French 
aircraft?   Or did they have a different base color?

TIA!

-Bill