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Eduard 1/48 Nieuport Ni-11 "Weekend Edition" First Look

By Rob Stewart

Introduction

This is a first look a the Eduard "Weekend Edition" release of the 1/48 Nieuport Ni-11, catalog number 8421.

This is a nice kit for anyone who wants to add to their collection of Nieuports without breaking the bank. The marking option is a good one as the pilot of the depicted aircraft has a wonderful story. It would also be very good introduction to the WWI genre for a modeller as it is a simple build and would be good rigging practice without being too complicated. The kit comes without any PE frets or express masks and the single decal sheet provides a single marking option as the other kits in this series.

History

The Nieuport 11 "Bebe" was basically a smaller, neater version of the Nieuport 10, and the forerunner of the Ni-16. It was a sesquiplane, a biplane with a full-sized top wing with two spars, and a lower wing of much narrower chord and just one spar. A "Vee" interplane strut joined the lower wing with the broader upper wing on each side. The main drawback of this particular layout is that unless it is very strongly built, the narrow lower wing is prone to twist and bend under stress. This was a problem with all the "Vee-Strut" Nieuports, as well as German Albatros aircraft of similar design. It first appeared over the front in early 1916, where it outclassed the Fokker Eindekkers it opposed. It was soon replaced by later models, but continued as a trainer.

For more information check out the Wikipedia article or Windsock Datafile Special Nieuport Fighters Vol 1 from Albatros Publications.

Instructions

There is a 6 page black and white instructions sheet which includes a rigging diagram and painting guide. Although the four view painting profile is in black and white the profile drawings are augmented by colour renderings on the box top, so you get an idea of the colours and decal placement. The second page handles the interior and the third the engine and wing assemblies. The fourth handles external details and the fifth is dedicated to the rigging diagram. The last page is the painting and decal guide.

Sprues

Each kit comes in 2 of the traditionally tan coloured styrene sprues. I couldn't see sink or pin marks in visible places. There was absolutely no flash on any of the sprues in my kit. Interestingly the kit comes with a model of a French officer, and parts to add le Prieur rockets to the struts, although these are marked as not used.

Markings

Markings for 1 aircraft are given, "Zigomar 1" of N.62, the mount of French ace Paul Tarascon. Known as "The Ace with the wooden leg", Tarascon lost a foot in a flying accident in 1911, kept on flying and became an ace with an eventual total of 12 victories. He survived the war, fought in the Resistance in WWII and died aged 94 in 1977.

Conclusion

This is a lovely little kit. Every collector of WWI era aircraft should get one for their Nieuport collection, or at least for their stash. It looks to be a simple build, and would make a great rainy day project, or a good introduction to WWI aircraft.

Thanks to Eduard for the review sample.