French Wings No.2

Nieuport-Delage Ni-D 29
& Ni-D 62 Family

Mushroom Model Publications

Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner

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Not long after WWI, the Nieuport-Delage company manufactured an attractive series of biplanes.

One of these was the Ni-D 29 which was used throughout the 1920s by the French Aéronautique Militaire. It also saw service in other countries such as Belgium, Italy, Siam, Argentina, Spain and Sweden. Enthusiasts of Japanese aircraft would recognise the licence built version by Nakajima known as the Ko-4.

The other was the Ni-D 62 family of sesquiplane aircraft which formed the foundation of the Armée de l’Air and Aéronautique Navale fighter units during the 1930s.  As trainers they managed to serve until 1940 with Romania, Brazil, Turkey and Spain all being recipients of the type.

This book tells the story of these aircraft and does so in 96 A4 sized pages.

Over 60 different colour profiles are illustrated with the Ni-D 29, M.29, J2, Nakajima Ko-4, and B.Kh.4 all being represented. Not forgotten is the Ni-D 62 family which includes the Ni-D 622, Ni-D 72, Ni-D 52, and Ni-D 42. The profiles are very nicely rendered but I think it is time to get rid of the black shading that surrounds the image. It gives the illusion of a blurred outline that detracts from the artist’s otherwise very fine work.

The text is divided into sections that differentiate the two main types. Their history is explained in an easily understood way with plenty of period photographs interspersed throughout the narrative. In fact there are close to 150 of them. They are an interesting collection and the clarity of many is quite outstanding.

The colours and markings worn by the various users are adequately covered and the book is rounded out with a cutaway of the Ni-D 62.

Overall this is an excellent publication and is one that gives the reader a good understanding of this unusual series of aircraft.

Thanks to Mushroom Model Publictions  for the sample.

All Mushroom Model Publications books are available direct from the publishers, who now accept credit cards (Visa, MC, Amex, Switch)  

North American distributors are MMD, Australian distributors are Platypus Publications. In Europe, the books are available from any good bookshop (via our UK distributors, Orca). Contact MMP direct in case of difficulties. 

Thanks to Roger at Mushroom Model Magazine  for the sample.

Review Copyright 2011 by Rob Baumgartner
This Page Created on 26 July, 2011
Last updated 1 August, 2011

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