The Nieuport 17 (Modele Magazine inset plan)

Nieuport 17

Model construction: 2000
Features of the model:
Wingspan: 1.40 m
Weight: 2.4 Kg
Engine: OS 52 Surpass
Propeller: Graupner 12×6

Building from the “Model Magazine” inset plan is quick and easy. The covering is made of antique solartex, the patterns are painted with a brush with Humbrol paint and the whole is covered with a layer of mat polyurethane varnish.

Take-Off :
As I suppose all the biplanes, this one does not like the crosswind and the takeoff must be absolutely in the axis. In addition, the position of the landing gear given on the plan does not make it easier to hold a heading on taxiing, it is good to move it back a few centimeters (for the moment I simply put the train upside down). Fortunately the plane is solid and has withstood the first antics.

In flight:
The control surfaces are homogeneous and the aircraft pleasant. It is not difficult to fly. The drag is felt and the speed is relatively constant between mid-gas and full speed. Aerobatics is certainly classic for a biplane, the loop is easy and the barrel is slow at the start and faster during the second part. All figures are off-center and must be steered to remain academic (from training in perspective).

Landing:
As with takeoff, it is good to stay in the wind. The finesse makes it absolutely necessary to keep the engine until the wheels touch (the speed is not high anyway). Once on the ground, if the landing gear is too far forward, the serenade begins again. The backwarded landing gear allows to land and run normally. During a stalled engine landing it seemed to me that the speed was higher, the propeller, at idle, must play the role of air brake.

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