Italian Nieuport 11 - Copper State Models 1/32

[NigelR]

I've just finished the Italian boxing of the CSM Nieuport 11. This is one of the 80a Squadriglia machines that for a short while had the "Happy Hooligan" markings on several of their machines. The "Happy Hooligan" was an American comic book character created by Frederick Burr Opper in 1900 and appeared in the New Yorker magazine. The character was known as Fortunello in Italy, and early in spring 1917 many pilots of 80a Squadriglia painted Fortunellos with various expressions on their aircraft. However, Italian GHQ disapproved as these markings were not deemed sufficiently warlike, and the unit was told to remove these comic characters from their planes. They were replaced by a red star in a white circle, a suitably martial insignia!

I didn't post a build thread as this is the same kit as the French Nieuport 11 I built last year. It's a fabulous kit with great decals. I put the Fortunello on both sides of the fuselage even though it's probably likely it was only on the starboard side. I couldn't resist, it's such charming marking. I went with blue metal fittings based on my interpretation of the photos of Ni. 2123 and also the fact that the two surviving original Nieuport-Macchi 10s appear to use blue on some of their metalwork. It seemed logical to me that they would use the same paint on the reinforcing strips but  it appears there isn't any conclusive evidence if they were blue or brown. Weathering was kept light as photos show the Italian Nieuports looking pretty clean.

[DaddyO]

That's a lovely crisp build Nigel 

Glad you put the Fortunello on both sides, as well, so we can enjoy its unwarlike appearance even more.

Looking forward to seeing this one in the flesh later in the year

Paul

[Brad Cancian]

A beautiful build Nigel, well done sir!

[KiwiZac]

What a beauty. Wow, Nigel, this is gorgeous! The restrained weathering on the fuselage sides and top of the inner bottom wings looks spot on. I'd be proud as anything to have this on my shelf. Again: wow!

[guitarfool]

Superb!

[gedmundson]

Love the colouring on this one Nigel, and also the fact you'd erred on the side of "how you like it to appear" when it came to the markings used on both sides. Your turnbuckles which ones?
Cheers,
Gary

[rhwinter]

Beautiful!

[macsporran]

Lovely work, Nigel
What a wee cracker!
Sandy

[NigelR]

Thanks very much guys, glad you like it. I am quite pleased with how it turned out.

Love the colouring on this one Nigel, and also the fact you'd erred on the side of "how you like it to appear" when it came to the markings used on both sides. Your turnbuckles which ones?

I'm usually a comp0lete stickler for historical accuracy but I did let my mask slip a bit here. There are several photos of the starboard side only of this and several other planes from 80a showing the Fortunello. There is one plane for which photos exist of both sides, and that has the Fortunello on one side and a roundel on the other. So I've definitely applied a bit of artistic licence here....

The turnbuckles are all 1/48 GasPatch. 

[Rafael Berlin]

Really beautiful model. I like it very much 

[PrzemoL]

Beautiful! A simple design with simple colour finish (save for Fortunello of course ) and yet so attractive, thanks to your sharp, clean finish. I like it very much.

[drdave]

Lovely Nige.

[NigelR]

Thanks so much Rafael, Przemo and Dave, much appreciated!!

[lone modeller]

That is gorgeous Nigel. The colours are very striking and I really like the restrained finish. I too would be proud to have that on my shelf.

Stephen.

[Will Levesley]

Beautiful!