A "Mini Group Build" completed.

[Ernie]

Hi Everyone,
  My very good friend Patrick (IFF1418), in Belgium and I have conspired to create what
we call our "mini group build", a two man effort, each building the 1/32 Special Hobby
Nieuport 11.  It has been a lot of fun with many ups and downs, remembering we
aren't the most experienced modelers here and the kit, while not bad at all, is
certainly not a Wingnuts one.
  For my part, I have gone with the colour scheme of Lt. Pierre Dufaur de Gavardie
of Escadrille N12, between 1916 until his being injured in 1917.
  The build was pretty much OOB, with the additions of our Bob Von Buckle's teeny
but quite lovely eyelets and Gaspatch turnbuckles as well as their gorgeous Lewis gun.
  Here's the pictures, warts and all ...

















There you have it.  I will leave it to Patrick to display his little gem a bit later,
but I will say it will well worth the wait.   Thanks a lot for looking and any
tips or hints to improve my building would be most appreciated!

Cheers,
Ernie
 

[Nigel Jackson]

Well, you pair of rascals! But seriously Ernie, I love what you've done with this Nieuport11 a and can't wait to see what Patrick has made of it too.

Best wishes
Nigel

[Ernie]

Thanks Nigel from half a rascal.  I appreciate your kind words.

Cheers,
Ernie

[IFF1418]

Hello everyone,

When I first talked about the Nieuport Bébé to my precious friend Ernie, it was obvious that he too wanted so much to do this build. So we decided to take it on together. I was quite lucky to be able to work (at distance) with such a fine and talented modeler, and indeed Ernie gave me a lot of advice and support when things didn’t go as they should. I can’t say enough how much I appreciate that.
Now for the scheme I’ve choosen. I once saw a light blue painted Bébé that was owned by George Guynemer, a pilot I admire so much and decided to go for this finish.



The main problems were the blue color and the decals who were not available on the market. I have been struggling all the way with the blue color. I searched and searched in all the different brands and finally choose for the Vallejo Model Color Sky Blue. Now this has been a Via Dolorosa whole the way through. My airbrush didn’t seem to be happy with it and was blocked every time. I finally succeeded to paint it (spots and stains included) but have not obtained the color I really wanted. My friend Ernie made me a great offer by sending one of his a/b over to me. I am very pleased with it and it will certainly help me with my future builds.
The second problem with this scheme were the decals. After long hesitating I decided to make them myself. In itself this was a struggle all the way long, but I finally could get them on the Bébé.























As Ernie already said, not a WnW kit, but no major fitting problems (except for the engine not having enough space inside the cowling). No markings whatsoever where struts are to be placed aso..
And as Ernie I took some photos of the build along the road. Thank you for looking.

Kind regards
Patrick

[WarrenD]

Ernie & Patrick,
                       Y'all did some great work, and on one of my favorite a/c too.   

Patrick, you mentioned that even after all of your struggles, you still didn't get the color you wanted on your Bebe. Now, monitors can be different one to another when it comes to color. Did you want to get closer to the profile pic, which shows up as a greyer blue?

Warren

[RAGIII]

Ernie and Patrick,
It is great to see that two of my Favorite Modelers on the site have cooperated on such a stunning , and "SECRET", project! Both of you have turned out absolutely beautiful Nieuports! I am in awe!! I have the Nie 16 version of this kit and when I finally get to it I know who to ask for advice! VERY WELL DONE
RAGIII

[lcarroll]

Ernie/Patrick, 
   You rascals, what a great little surprise for the Forum! Both models are real beauties, very well done. I honestly was wondering why, in Ernie's case he didn't seem to have a Build going on and, for Patrick, why he was being so quiet? Guess this explains both situations! Congratulations to you both on a couple of very fine Builds!
Cheers,
Lance

[IFF1418]

Hello Warren, Rick and Lance,

Thank  you all for your very kind words.

Warren :  The color I was looking for was Blue Horizon as I read that at that time some aircrafts were painted fully in that color. I haven't found any brand with that specific name. I have been consulting so many color charts. But I can live with the color you know. The only big problem was that the Vallejo paint "constipated" my a/b time after time.

Rick : I would be glad to give you any advice when you tackle your Ni 16 and I am sure Ernie will as well. I think that these Nieuports look easier to build than they are in reality. I was glad to have Ernie as "counsellor". Besides I think that the Guynemer Bébé I did is more attractive by the fact that the scheme is not so frequently seen, than by the quality of the build (you know me don't you my friend  ).

Lance : Nice to hear from you my friend. After me sending my SPAD VII to the Hall of Shame models I was indeed rather depressed, because if the mid-struts had been properly done, this would have been my best build. So yes I was a bit quiet. And then it becomes more difficult to go back among all those friends I made on this lovely forum. So what I needed was a couple of decent builds, and I think I am ready to return now.

Kind regards
Patrick

[WarrenD]

Patrick,
           I'm sorry to hear of your problems with the Vallejo paint. I'm still new to using an airbrush, and dealing with acryllics and each different brand's idiosyncrasies is quite an education.
I've got that particular color scheme on an old A/G decal sheet, and since I've developed quite an affection for Guynemer over the years, I've thought to model a few of his a/c in 1/72nd. That's one reason among many that I'm interested in your build.

Great job!

Warren

[RAGIII]

Hello Warren, Rick and Lance,

Thank  you all for your very kind words.

Rick : I would be glad to give you any advice when you tackle your Ni 16 and I am sure Ernie will as well. I think that these Nieuports look easier to build than they are in reality. I was glad to have Ernie as "counsellor". Besides I think that the Guynemer Bébé I did is more attractive by the fact that the scheme is not so frequently seen, than by the quality of the build (you know me don't you my friend  ).


Kind regards
Patrick

 I agree that this kit is not easy! I have looked at starting it several times and put it away    As for your build the Home Made decals are brilliant work and your painting and construction look excellent! You are as always with us your Hardest Critic!
RAGIII

[lone modeller]

That is a wonderful pair of Nieuports without question. Ernie: you wrote "warts and all": where are the warts? I cannot see any and it was not for want of looking. If I turned out a model looking that good I would be over the moon.

Patrick - you have produced a real stunner and I especially like the home-made transfers. I have yet to try this and am still a little intimidated - hence I still hand paint where I can.

To both of you very well done and what a wonderful idea to have a mini-build.

[coyotemagic]

Ernie and Patrick, two of the finest gentlemen to ever grace these pages, building my favorite aircraft.  Doesn't get any better than this!  Ernie, your little Bebe is gorgeous and, as others have said, no visible warts at all.  Patrick, it's so good to see you again.  It's been a while and you're back with such style.  You've done a remarkable job with this kit and the blue scheme with the homemade decals is nothing short of brilliant.  Congratulations, my friends.  fantastic project all 'round.
Cheers,
Bud

[radio]

Ernie and Patrick you both have made very great builds.
Martin

[Des]

Congratulations gentlemen on presenting us with an extraordinary pair of Nieuports. both aircraft are extremely well done and it was a real pleasure to view both of them in the one topic, well done guys.

Des.

[Epeeman]

Well done, lads -

Both of your Nieuports look great.  I also really like the idea of a mini group build - great idea!

Regards

Dave