*(108-79) 1:48 NIEUPORT 28, 1957
AURORA KIT NO.108-79-NIEUPORT 28
Released in 1957 the Aurora Nieuport 28, being the first US service aircraft to enter combat, was understandably popular with American modellers. The colourful box contained 35 light grey and black plastic parts with decals for Captain Edward V Rickenbacker's 'No.12' of the 94th Aero Squadron in 1918. The kit is well moulded and accurate when compared to present day scale plans and requires very little extra work to achieve an accurate model. Aside from a somewhat aged, though complete, decal sheet, plastic content of our sole early boxed example is mint and all loose parts have been bagged. The box is equally pristine with very minimal wear evident. One of the best WWI kits ever produced by Aurora that showed a marked improvement over earlier kits in the series, it was re-issued by Aurora in 1972, and again in 1995 by Glencoe Models with extensive decal options.
RELEASED in 1957, this is an original Aurora boxing of the French Nieuport 28 which remains one of the best WWI kits they ever produced. Comprising 35 parts in very light grey and black plastic it included a larger than usual 'wheel chock ground panel' for the mechanic figure. Although the kit was fairly basic,typical of the 1950s period, outlines were accurate and few modifications were required. For the record,once the embossed markings were removed,revisions were confined to reducing the thickness of the cockpit padding,adding HSP tail struts, replacing the simplified Vickers guns,applying decal rib tapes under the wings and cutting cooling slots in the cowling. Cockpit detail included instrument board,floor,joystick and seat-the black parts provided engine; airscrew; wheels and a petite venturi tube for the starboard fuselage-a welcome and unexpected touch. Aurora's Nieuport was easy to build despite the eight separate wing struts that required careful alignment as the glue hardened.They were commendably fine-sectioned as were the undercarriage legs and axle.
Decals presented slightly underwhelming markings for Captain Eddie's 'No. 12' of the 94th Aero Squadron. There are no Liberty Bond posters for wing upper-surfaces but you do get superfluous roundels for lower wing top surfaces! Numerals are correct in style, the 'Hat-in-the-ring insignia reasonably accurate, as are the rudder stripes bearing serial N 6193. The sheet has not fared well over the years and while all items are intact they may require sealant prior to use. Plastic content is mint with all parts and runners sealed in individual polybags.
Nieuport notes: Our DATAFILE No.36 on the Nieuport 28 written by Jon Guttman is now sadly out of print but there's always the still relevant Profile Publication No.79 by Pete Bowers of which we have a number of copies available-please see link below...
