Merit Smer Nieuport 11....FINI....

[Allan31]

I wanted something to further practice my CDL technique and found this colorful candidate in the "olde" stash.



For years I was thinking this was a re-pop of the old Aurora kit but apparently not. Would love to put the two side by side.



Decals look usable so I started tweaking.



Cockpit with kit parts. Thinned down cowling.






Corrected cockpit coaming.




As I did with the cowling, I used furnace tape to detail the upper wing for hinges and gun mount. I added the slit for the two part wing.




I primed everything with Tamiya fine white and then started doing the rib detail.



This is a two part process but simple and easy. I use the same for all CDL.
After the white primer I take my Vallejo beige and white and mix them 50/50 for the rib color and spray over all.





I use 1mm Tamiya tape and mask the ribs.









When all that is masked, I shoot the beige 100% then remove the masking tape.





Will add edge color to wings and such, Future then ready for decals.

Thanks for reading this far.....

[Rob Hart]

You're off to a fine start. I'm looking forward to watching you work your magic on this old classic.

[Allan31]

So, this is what I have in the kit for an engine and propeller.



I remember those old Alan Hall articles on scratch build engines by cutting the heads off screws and glueing them on a dowel.



Not happening. Instead, I found a radial engine beautifully 3D printed but it's the wrong one, this is a 110 for a Sopwith Camel.





The biggest difference is of course the exhaust pipes are in front for the 80 and in back for the 110. This what I need it to look like.





Surgery required. I ground off the front and back of the two pieces and mounted the exhaust on the front.







Close enough. Since I've kinda broken my own rule of no aftermarket, I went ahead and pinched a propeller from a Dr1.



All the major bits are done and we are ready to assemble and finish the little Bebe.







More soon I hope.

[Dirigible-Al]

Great work so far.
This was one of my first WW.I kits and if I remember rightly, if you build the wing mounted gun OTB,  the gun would appear to fire inside the propeller arc.
Alan.

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Great job on such a dated kit,

Mike

[Dave W]

Thats really impressive work on a 1957 vintage kit. I remember that model in the Merit boxing and its great to see how well it scrubs up today.

Merit also did a DH2, Fokker D.VII, Se5a, Avro 504K, Albatros D.III and Fokker Dr.1, all of which are still around in Smer and other boxings.

Many thanks for showing this excellent project.

Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia

[RichieW]

Excellent work Alan, I love your 'no aftermarket' ethos but then rules are there to be broken sometimes. Your CDL painting looks fantastic.

Richie

[Allan31]

Thanks everyone for your encouragement. Finished build posted.

[gedmundson]

What a beautiful little Nieuport! Nicely done.
Cheers,
Gary

[pepperman42]

Wow great build of what started as a bit of rough kit!!

Steve

[FAf]

Good work! Looks fantastic!
/Fredrik

[lcarroll]

Great work and results on a very challenging Kit. Your CDL and the masking of the ribs is very effective, nicely done!
Cheers,
Lance

[RAGIII]

Sorry I missed this one until today! Stunning work all around!!
RAGIII