Eduard 1/72nd Nieuport 17 Dual Combo
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Introduction
I've already built the "Flyboys" release of this kit, so refer
to both the December
2006 initial build, along with the final build of the kit in
this issue. A "real" release of this kit has been waited
for since Eduard first announced a 1/72nd Nieuport 17, and now that it's
here, it definitely does not disappoint. Keep in mind that "Dual
Combo" kits come with two distinct and separate models, so you can
build two Nieuport 17s out of the box.
The Kit
 The
only differences between the "Flyboys" release and this Dual
Combo release is the inclusion of masking materials in Eduard's using
their "Kabuki" tape along with new photoetch and wonderfully
printed, excellent decals. There are five aircraft catered for in the
instructions. The first, found on the cover page of the instructions,
is for Sergent Maurice Boyau's N.77 machine flown in the summer of 1917,
with the dragon markings on the side. Very stunning and since the decals
are excellently done, should prove to be an awesome contrast to the aluminum
doped fuselage. The second scheme is for Guynemer's N1530 of N.3 flown
in August 1918 with the camo'ed wings and cone de pénétration.
Guynemer's N1574 he flew while with N.65 in the summer of 1916. Adjudant
Pierre Pendaries' all-camo aircraft of N.69 during 1916-1917. And finally
Lieutenant Onokichi Isobe's "duck" marked machine of N.57 in
December of 1917. As I already mentioned the decals look extremely awesome,
and from first hand experience with the Eduard decals I did use on the
"Flyboys" kit they work extremely well and snuggle down with
little effort.
The majority of the colored photoetch is for the cockpit. Eduard has
you scrape off the molded-in cockpit structure which will be replaced
by photoetch. All in all the photetch interior pieces should look very
awesome and are definitely worth the cost of the kit. The photoetch also
includes the engine wiring harness along with four different types of
windscreen frames and a few other pieces (including the overwing Lewis
mount, one of which I used in my "Flyboys" build).
 The
rest of the model builds just as the Flyboys kit did. No problems to speak
of and fit overall is excellent.
Conclusion
 Not
only is it awesome that Eduard came out with a 1/72nd Nieuport 17, but
their first "factual" release of this kit contains nothing but
French markings. Personally I think the French had the best markings on
their aircraft, the "dragon" of Boyau's machine proving my point.
I suspect Eduard will release this kit in other guises, with other markings
(which unfortunately will probably include British PC-10 machines - blech!)
so one just has to wait for the next releases if one doesn't want to finish
the Nie.17 as a French machine (which totally defies logic, in my opinion).
My sincerest thanks to Eduard for
supplying the review kit. |
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