My apologies for being so silent on this build, but experiments take time, don't they? I have spent a few months working with Aero-Rarities to come up with some helpful things in building the 1/72nd Eduard Nieuport 17. I cannot say enough good things about Paul and Eric Fisher, the two brothers that are the proprietors of the business, they are so enthusiastic and easy to work with. After much back and forth of test fitting, reworking, test-fitting again, and months of work on their part, they've come up with a Nieuport 17 Survival Pack. It started out with me wanting a new cowling to replace the one from the kit. Long story short, the package contains two different cowlings, a couple of tailplanes (much thinner and more to scale than the kit part) seat and framework, fuel pulsator, tachometer, etc. Here are some images of the latter Nieuport 17 cowling, which is SO much better than what's in the kit. (Also my first time ever spraying metallics, that was quite an experience.)
Note the very fine rivet detail around the front opening, impossible for Eduard to achieve with injection molding. Also, much finer and riveted joints on the upper side
We now have a recess indicating the retaining strap on the back as well as the reinforcements around the landing gear leg cutout, missing entirely from the kit part.
The upper view shows the much refined cowling joints and the filler cap for the oil tank, completely missing from the kit part.
I have no connection to Aero-Rarities other than being an extremely satisfied customer. I look forward to buying more of their products and hopefully working with them on future projects.
https://aerorarities.com/Warren
