Nieuport XVII Early

Copper State Models, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

G.W.H.s 1/48 scale T-33A Shooting Star will be available online from Squadron.com

The Nieuport 17 C.1 was a French sesquiplane fighter designed and manufactured by the Nieuportcompany during World War I. An improved development of the Nieuport 11/16, it was a little larger than its predecessors, and better adapted to the more powerful engine of the N.16. It also incorporated innovations such as the newly-developed Alkan-Hamy synchronization gear, permitting the use of a fuselage-mounted synchronised Vickers gun firing directly through the propeller arc. 

At the time of its introduction in March 1916, the type's outstanding manoeuvrability and excellent rate of climb gave it a significant advantage over other fighters on both sides. It was widely used by many operators; entering service with virtually every Allied power, not to mention the German air service. In addition to substantial production by several French manufacturers, the N.17 and its close relatives were built in Italy by Nieuport-Macchi and in Russia at Dux. Unlicenced copies, notably the Siemens-Schuckert D.I and the Euler D.I, were produced in Germany.

Various derivatives, improvements, and adaptions were developed. The Nieuport 21 and 23 represented relatively minor alterations, while aerodynamic refinement led to the Clerget-powered 17bis, and a return to more powerful versions of the Le Rhône rotary engines with detail improvements resulted in the Nieuport 24, 24bis and 27.*

*Background information adapted from Wikipedia

Copper State Models

Copper State Models was originally an American cottage industry manufacturer of WWI aircraft kits and accessories. Its models were generally a multimedia mix of resin and white metal parts.

A recent change of ownership has led to a change in direction. Still focused on WWI subjects, the company is now revisiting the Copper State Models back catalogue and restoring the kits.

At this stage they have released three all-new injection moulded WWI aircraft kits in 1/48 scale and a Lanchester armoured car in 1/35 scale.

Copper State Model has released three 1/48 scale WWI aircraft models since 2017. These are all gorgeous kits with excellent detail, appropriate use of multimedia, lovely surface textures and a relatively straightforward subject.

They now head into new territory with their first 1/32 scale release - the Nieuport XVII.

Copper State Models has released two versions - Early and Late Production - at the same time. They have sent the Early Production kit for review.

Copper State Models' 1/32 scale Nieuport XVII Late comprises a modest 128 parts in medium grey plastic, three parts printed onto clear acetate sheet, six photo-etched parts on a single fret and markings for four aircraft.

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The quality of moulding is excellent with no flash and narrow sprue attachment points.

Surface textures are restrained. The fabric effect is beautifully done, being subtly stretched on the wings, fuselage and tail surfaces. Stitching is present on both sides of the wing parts too.

Comprehensive detail is supplied in the cockpit using plastic parts. The seat is fully perforated and the structural elements are supported by rigging, which is called out at appropriate steps of the instructions. Additional framework is moulded to the inside of the fuselage, and there are separate parts supplied for the upper fuselage formers and the plywood top cover. The forward cabane struts are securely fitted to the cockpit famework.

The upper wings are single parts for each side with a central section that mounts them. Ailerons are separate parts.

Copper State Models supplies clear film to skin the top and bottom of the framed see-through upper wing centre section.

The one-piece upper wing halves are cleverly moulded with deep locating slots.

The lower wing is a single full span part.

There are deep, crisp locating holes in the wings for the two pairs of V-shaped interplane struts and the two forward interplane struts. This time around, Copper State does not include photo-etched mounts for the rigging wires.

A single photo-etched fret supplies seat harness straps, a windscreen frame and wing mounts for the rear cabane struts

Options include either a Moreau mount or an N65 mount for the nicely detailed Lewis gun, alternative top cowls to accommodate a second synchronised Lewis gun for one of the marking schemes, a windscreen for the versions without the synchronised Lewis gun, and separate fuselage panels that may presumably be left off to display formers and interior detail.

The Le Rhone 110hp engine is well detailed and fairly simply broken down. You'll just need to add some 0.1mm wire from the crankcase to the side of each cylinder.

The instructions are presented very much in the style of their previous efforts - clear, concise colour keyed illustrations broken down into steps of assembly and painting. Colour callouts are made throughout.

Markings

Markings are supplied for four machines. All four are finished in upper surface camouflage of Chocolate Brown and Light Green with Light Blue on the lower surfaces.

The instructions only call out generic colours, not any particular brand, but after more than 100 years the final interpretation is really up to you!

The decals are well printed, vivid, in register, and feature nice glossy finish. They have been produced by Cartograf.

This is another gem of a kit from Copper State Models, and their first in 1/32 scale.

Detail is excellent, moulding quality is first class, parts breakdown is straightforward, the instructions are a joy and the whole package exudes quality.

This Nieuport XVII looks pretty straightforward to build. The basic construction appears to be free from complication and the relatively small number of struts have been engineered with robust locating pins and holes. It should be well within the reach of any moderately experienced modeller.

1/32 scale lends a whole new range of possibilities for Copper State's future releases. I wonder what's next...

Thanks to Copper State Models for the sample

*Historical background courtesy of Wikipedia

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2018 by Brett Green
Page Created 12 December, 2018
Last updated 12 December, 2018

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