Having been out of the market for 1/72nd WWI model aircraft more years than I care to remember, I am surprised at the number of old kits available via eBay. Some times, the models are quite inexpensive too but I have seen others command high prices. For $6 including shipping, this Entex Nieuport 17C was a bargain.
One recent kit won on eBay is the Entex Pocket Pak Bi-Planes Nieuport 17C. A fine little model, this is the first N17C to make it into the collection and the first Entex model. The kit was likely produced in the 1970s so is at least 40 years old. Surprising that these old kits are still around. This one arrived unbuilt with the box in great shape.
The kit was easy to build. For a paint scheme, I attempted to impart a distressed look. The result looks distressed to my eye.
I have a stack of 1/72nd scale kits to build. Mainly Airfix and predominantly tanks and trucks, but with a few planes and ships. Just waiting for the mood to take me.
ReplyDeleteYour model looks great - and looks good flying on its alligator clip mounting.
I hope the mood strikes you to work on a few of your models! Building a kit is much different from painting an assembly line of figures.
DeleteThe alligator clip mounting is used for attaching the model to a telescoping stand. With a telescoping stand, differences in elevation levels are easy to discern.
The work on the tail looks superb, very eye catching and being suitably 'distressed', the colours there are dampened down enough to keep it in balance with the rest of the look . At least all the old plastic stuff comes with decals. I have a load of plastics in 15mm and 1/72 that don't!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Norm!
DeleteThe old models may come with decals but I am discovering that many of these "old model" decals have not aged well. A number of them have disintegrated upon soaking and application.
Easy, simply but looking great!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteVery nicely done. The only thing I can remember about trying to put biplane kites together was getting the struts stuck to my fingers in trying to hold them in place until the glue set. I must have only been seven or eight, and became a big fan of monoplanes after that.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, Lawrence!
DeleteAssembling the struts on some models can be an exercise in frustration. Same situation with affixing the landing gear. I have glued my fingers to the struts more than once!
My favourite kind of planes, excellent!
ReplyDeleteA source of national pride!
DeleteGreat find and a fine Modeling job.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peter! It is surprising to me to see how many of these old kits are still around.
DeleteNice work Jon. I find the fresher the decals, the more success I'm likely to have with them. Of course I'm working with really small decals, but my older ones frequently shred and tear.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you drop by, Kevin!
DeleteIn many of these old kits, I find the same. The decals tear and shred easily. Glad to hear this situation is not isolated to my own hamfistedness.
A lovely model, Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteThe Nieuport 17 is an elegant plane.
DeleteI do marvel at your patience Jonathan. You have done a lovely job of this. As we have discussed before that fiddly stuff drives me to distraction.
ReplyDeletePerhaps more perseverance than patience. i was not feeling too patient when the decals and struts were giving me difficulties. But, I persevered!
DeleteGlad you like the result, Mark.
Well done indeed, Jon. When can we take the the skies again? I have not started any of my 30+ kits, but I could paint up enough for a game.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Scott! We can take to the air anytime you want.
DeleteAnd, you should put a plane or two into your building queue!
DeleteI like it a lot. These old planes are always impressive - would you dare to flight with one of them ?
ReplyDeleteThanks! The old plane have a hint of romanticism, I think. Would I climb into one? Certainly!
DeleteNice!
ReplyDeleteI have a Newport in 1/48 (testors model, I think) that I used for ground support in "Back of Beyond" games.
I also have a PILE of 1/72 biplanes and Triplanes that I picked up to use with a game I played at Fallcon once, then Wings of War came out and everyone started playing that and I never got around to building more than one of the models I have... There's a dozen or more sitting on a shelf somewhere in the basement.
Is there a particular game you're getting this ready for?
Thanks, Tim!
DeleteI have introduced the guys to Canvas Eagles. It is offered freely and you can find details by clicking the "Canvas Eagles" label on this blog.
Tim, you ought to build a few of your planes!
DeleteCanvas Eagles is the game I bought all the 1/72 planes for!
ReplyDeleteI think it was a SPAD that I built for it.
Your kids might enjoy taking to the skies in their Canvas Eagles.
DeleteLovely biplane, suitably distressed!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain!
DeleteGood looking bird. I do not remember it providing air support for the Prussians in our game however....
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jake! You are quite right. The French plane seems to have slipped through a time portal and finds itself surveying the fields of Mollwitz in 1741. Good eye!
DeleteGreat looking plane, Jon. There is just something special about these old WWI era planes, isn't there?
ReplyDeleteIf you're ever out my way, the fabulous Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is just a few hours drive away:
http://oldrhinebeck.org/
https://www.facebook.com/rhinebeckaerodromemuseum/
Peter
Yeah, there is an attraction to these old WWI aircraft, for sure.
DeleteIf I make it out your way, my first stop ought to be your wargaming enclave! The aerodrome would be an interesting stop too.
Wonderful work on such an iconic aircraft, Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dean!
Delete