Smer 1/48 Nieuport 11 Bebe

[Epeeman]

Hello, all -

Just completed yesterday evening.   

This was a cheap kit which I regretted buying when I got home and opened up the box.   A very dated, crudely molded, overly simplified kit with tons of flash, pin holes in awkward places and seams.  I believe this is the old Aurura kit?

I nearly did bother to build but decided it could make for an interesting project by detailing, correcting and adding the missing detail.   This project actually only took me three weeks in the end and I thoroughly enjoyed it!   It would take too long to list the correction work (not perfect and there are a couple of minor mistakes on my part) but I am very pleased with the end result.   It certainly looks more like a Nieuport Bebe now.   If any of you have built this ancient kit in the past you should be  able to work out what I have done to this one.

Two really good points worth mentioning about this Smer kit thought.  Firstly, the fit of the kit is very good so assembles pretty quickly.  Secondly, Smer have provided marking for two versions on the decal sheet and these decals are superb - really easy to work and gave me no trouble at all.

Anyway, pictures below:

















Regards

Dave

[Ernie]

Excellent Bébé, Dave!  Always a gorgeous little aeroplane, you have
despite the problems with the kit, done a great job.   The paint
scheme is striking and very nicely done.  Well done, my friend.

Cheers,
Ernie

[Pgtaylorart]

Looking at your finished model I never would have guessed there were problems with this kit. Very nice!

George

[lcarroll]

    Lovely job Dave! I built the Aurora Kit as a youngster, and it certainly didn't turn out like yours!
Cheers,
Lance

[pietro]

Dave, what a little beauty! You've turned a prehistoric monster into a work of art. Very nice work. Pietro

[lone modeller]

Great to see this one Dave. Looking forward to seeing it for real shortly. No-one could tell from this that it was a poor kit - a real silk purse from a sow's ear and no mistake. The finish is up to your excellent standard too - how you can do that with a hairy stick is a minor miracle and a real tribute to your skill.

[radio]

Very beautiful plane, Dave.
Martin

[ermeio]

Very Nice and colorful model
I bought some copies of the SMER kit just for that livery.

[GAJouette]

  Dave,
You've done a beautiful job on the old girl. These old kits can be a challenge but with a little extra work can be built up to real gem. Excellent paint too. You called it correct it is the ancient Aurora kit. Looking forward to seeing what's next off your bench.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[xmald]

Dave having built Smer`s Airco I know exactly what you mean. The outcome is superb and your model is a beauty!

[coyotemagic]

What a lovely silk purse you've created, Dave!  Remarkable transition from what was in the box.
Cheers,
Bud

[Des]

What a gorgeous little Nieuport 11 you have created Dave, one of my most favorite aircraft. You have done a superb job with this model and finished it off with a beautiful and striking colour scheme, well done.

Des.

[Epeeman]

Thank you all, kindly Gentlemen!

Good to be back

Regards

Dave

[boggie]

Thank you Dave!
For showing me what can be achieved from a rather basic kit.
Very nice indeed! 

[RAGIII]

Dave,
Sorry for the late reply...thought I posted last night  Beautiful work on what I know is a rather crude copy of Auroras OLD mold! The red, white and blue fuselage is flawlessly painted,( by hand as usual I assume). Lovely work making this sows ear into a silk purse!
RAGIII