History

"In 1917 the French aircraft manufacturer Société Anonyme des Establissements Nieuport produced a series of new fighters the Nieuport 24, 25, 27. All from the Nieuport 11 and Nieuport 17, which due to their very good flying characteristics, were possibly the best low altitude fighters at the time. However, technical progress during the war years stepped on so briskly, that even the most successful designs could become obsolete within the year. At the end of 1917 it was decided to concentrate on building a conceptually new fighter. Unlike its predecessors, which were sesquiplanes rather than standard biplanes, the new fighter had wings of equal span and constant chord, and also an oval section fuselage. This was the Nieuport 28"

Part description

This resin item depicts the pilot's seat which in the original airframe had a distinctive profile. Called the "fruit" or the "peach" basket seat it was a simple affair that was an option from the Nieuport Company to buyers in lieu of the typical metal backed seat. While it was easy to see the reasoning one has to ponder whether this was an alternate due to war shortages or raw material costs? Whatever the issue it is believed that it was a standard contract item for all AEF purchased Nieuport 28 types.

Ron Kootje of the Netherlands has taken it upon himself to give us this detailed little item in 1:32. He used the dimensions from the Windsock Datafile on the Nieuport 28 and the upscaled dimensions from the Part of Poland 1:48 brass fret. Basic resin flash clean up is needed in the open areas between the lathe slats.

And while the seat is nicely detailed it will take a bit of surgery to fit in the Roden 1:32 kit #616. A small wedge needs to be cut out in the seat bottom all the way back to the vertical peach lathe weave. 1.4 mm should be enough at the seat front edge. Pinch the slice closed and glue together. I would add a section of sheet stock to the underside of the seat bottom for reinforcement. The front of the seat will need some attention to square it after the pinch. Next, you will have to cut down and fit the cushion to the new seat bottom area. I have added an image that will visually explain the cuts needed. The solid Roden kit seat is shown for comparison.

The price is about $14.77 or 10.70 euros by Paypal.

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