Nieuport Nie 10 Two Seater

Special Hobby, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Special Hobby’s Mirage F.1B/BE is available online from Squadron.com

The Nieuport 10 was a French First World War sesquiplane that filled a wide variety of roles including reconnaissance, fighter and trainer.

In January 1914, designer Gustave Delage joined the Société Anonyme des Etablissements Nieuport, and started working on a series of aircraft that would remain in production for the remainder of the First World War. The Nieuport 10 was first of these and was originally designed to compete in the Gordon Bennett Trophy race of 1914. World War I caused this contest to be cancelled, and the type was developed as a military two seat reconnaissance aircraft that entered service in 1915.

The type featured a distinctive "V" strut layout. The lower wing was much smaller in area than the upper wing. The concept was intended to combine the strength of the biplane's wire braced wing cell with the good visibility of the parasol monoplane.[1]

Many were converted or built as single-seat fighters by covering the front cockpit, and adding a Lewis Gun or Vickers machine gun either to fire through the center section of the top wing or mounted over it, firing forwards. In this form, the type was used as a fighter.

Two major types were developed from the Nieuport 10 - the Nieuport 11 Bébé - a smaller aircraft, designed from the outset as a single-seater, and the Nieuport 12 - a more powerful two-seater with a larger top wing. In addition, production was undertaken of a dedicated trainer version under the Nieuport 83 E.2 designation with detail changes. A single example of a triplane, using a Nieuport 10 airframe was built to test an unusual staggered wing concept.

Source: Wikipedia

Special Hobby's 1/48 scale Nieuport Nie 10 Two Seater shares most of its parts in common with their single-seater Nieuport Nie 10 released in 2011.

This kit comprises 67 parts in grey plastic (including nine parts not for use), one small resin part, one photo-etched fret, a printed acetate film for the windscreen and markings for three options.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

Compared to the Special Hobby 1/32 scale Tempest that I had the pleasure to build in October 2016, this model looks more like a traditional limited run kit.

This is not necessarily a bad thing though. Although little luxuries such as fuselage locating pins are not present, the parts are cleanly moulded for the main part, and sprue attachments quite modest, so parts removal and cleanup will be fast and easy. You won't find the tall ejector pin towers that older limited run kits suffered from either!

The real aircraft was very simple too, so short run technology does not limit the potential detail.

In fact, surface textures are very subtly done, especially the stretched fabric on the fuselage and the wings' rib tapes, and trailing edges are nice and sharp.

Interior detail is basic, reflecting the real thing. Plaatic parts are enhanced with photo-etched details including harness straps for both seats.

The plastic engine has a fair amount of flash between the cylinders, but is nicely detailed with additional plastic and photo-etched parts. This will be visible through the front.

A small resin part is provided for the wing-mounted pitot tube. This only applies for the Belgian marking option.

The greatest challenge of this kit will undoubtedly be aligning and securing the struts and one-piece upper wing. Patience and a home-made jig are recommended!

Photo-etched turnbuckles are included, as are several helpful rigging diagrams.

Markings

The decal sheet is printed by Aviprint. Colours look great and registration is perfect.

Markings are supplied for two French and one Belgian machines.

This is a straightforward kit of a simple subject.

Special Hobby's 1/48 scale Nieuport is not presented to the same standard as their recent 1/32 scale Tempest, but it is cleanly moulded, features subtle surface features, effective use of resin and photo-etch and if you have a few kits under your belt you won't have too much trouble with the absence of locating pins.

Just take your time aligning parts, test-fit frequently, and you'll have an attractive result.

Recommended.

Thanks to Special Hobby for the review sample.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2017 by Brett Green
Page Created 27 February, 2016
Last updated 27 February, 2017

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page