This crowd may be interested, and could provide the critique necessary for improvement..

Eduard's 1/72 Flyboy Nieuport 17, with some slight modifications...

I am using the kit decals and some from my spares to do Sgt. R. Lufberry's crate...

Here is the most recent update pics with rigging now almost complete...the upper wing is just resting there...

A big thanks to Mr. Lawson for the info on the Nieuport! 

Here is the rigging material...picked it up @ Michaels craft shop...

I sure do see her flying fairly often. The hold two airshows a month between May and October. Website here:

www.shuttleworth.org

Re the question about the tail,

I dont know off the top of my head but i will have a look at my photos later and see if i can come up with something. If not i am going to visit Old Warden this week so i will take some photos for you. 

Greetings all;

I was asked recently a series of questions by a fellow who frequents my website.  The following is just a bit of information that can be helpful to newer modelers.   Generally speaking there are several reasons we see differences between kits and airframes from WWI.  As Dan San Abbott has said the real deals were made on an assembly line.

For real aircraft We know there were general drawings and these were often later redesigned for structural concerns, engine variations and etc. 

For models, they are made from the best information(?)available to the kit design team.  In recent years even certain Datafile drawings have been called into question.  The top WWI manufacturers Roden and Eduard use these as a normal part of their design process.

The differences are good to know.  If you have a certain amount of AMS this enables you to build a more detailed version of a specific model type.  Lets face it, cutting out pulley inspection ports, detailing the interiors then covering them in clear plastic shows an unusual amount of determination and spirit.  I myself have just finished extending a kit fuselage bt 5/32 of an inch to do a better build closer to the original. 

Take for instance the Datafile on the Fokker D.VI checkout the last pages.  The factory drawings and the post war archive information show distinctive  differences in the over all dimensions of just this type.  Both originating from the same factory.  Then you get the misinformation that because the Fokker Dr.I and the Fokker D.VI are similar in appearance that they came from th same drawings. Make no mistake, while there are physical similarities between the Fokker company's Dr.I and the D.VI, one was not developed from the other.  Like any engineering concern the Fokker designers had formulas that they used for aircraft specifications, especially concerning the type and weight of an installed motor in an airframe.  The closest similarity to the D.VI (rotary) is the D.VII (inline six.)  Fokker built one for type testing in the ‘low altitude operations class' and one for ‘higher altitude operations class.' Now this is just a relatively minor aircraft type with a low number production of airframes.

Take for instance the Fokker Dr.I rudder.  There are at least two profile variations.  But no one has picked up on that in the kit manufacturers realm.  Kit manufacturers simplify their process thus leaving room for the modeler to ply their skills. 

But you can not be successful in in understanding these issues  without references.  Many modelers would rather come to a community forum to get their answers and save themselves to cost of these refernces.  Relying on the generousity of others is good upto a point.  But everyone has time constraints and if you use modeling as a hobby your time at the desk where the glue hit the plastic, is at a premium. 

The point is Good References make the difference.  As an illustration I mentioned the Fokker D.VI Datafile earlier here.  But if I don't post the actual information you still don't have what you were looking for.  Those people that have the reference can easily follow through.

Even if you have held a piece of lozenge fabric in your hands do you know what you have?  Without good references to show you the research of others you can not determine what it is, where it was used, How it was applied, etc etc. 

Search engines.
I wish it were easier to use for the neophyte.  Being an old bone here I can usually find and quote what I need to.  But you really have to want it to sit down and spend 20 minutes searching.  Some think it is easier to simply apologize and ask up front.  If you were to dig into the subject of "Lozenge" on the internet,  Gadzooks and Hot Marimba!  We are talking hundreds of responses.  These reflect the whole run of neophytes & experts quoting experts and neophytes & experts learning what they did not know and modifiying their view points.

For the modeler (and that is what this thread is about) you have to choose just how deep you want to go in a subject.  Counting the cost does not just involve the kit and building supplies anymore.   As always  respectful comments and opinions are welcome.

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It is a hard world Stachel...unconfirmed by Armee means unconfirmed!!!!
http://www.wwi-n-plastic.com WWI aviation kit reviews
http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/ see Early Aviation forum.
http://theaerodrome.com See Models and Aircraft forums.

 Salut Everyone,

 Well after reading several post on the subject and rereading them again, the confidence was at an all time high. Immediately set out to tackle these fearsome items. For an armor guy, decals are generally small and only several are applied. These were something else. Two whole sheets to cover the upper and lower wings, Top and Bottom. Hope these images don't degrade this wonderful thread, but had so much fun with so many decals. Had'em stuck all over. Bits and pieces of the lower fabric on the upper surface. Stuck to the desk drawer. Even had them on the coffee cup. No idea how you aircraft guys retain your sanity after an adventure like that, but it was soooo fun. Like Alice in Wonderland.

                  These are the results of "Chasing the Hare"

          1) The "Top" lozenge decals in place...

          2) The "Bottom" decals in place...

                  Added cables to the rudder pedals

 That's were the DVII is setting at now.

 Thanks for looking and comments and suggestions welcome...

 Best Regards,

Joe- Man, that Nieuport is TINY!!!  Making excellent progress on it, keep up the great work!

Stephen- Interesting bit of info, thanks for sharing!

Mobious- Beautiful work!  Woodgrain looks spot-on from here, and the decals appear to be going well.  Well done, those lozenge decals can be a bear!

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Frank

 Hello All,

 Wanted to thank everyone for the encouragemant. Just finished up the ribbing attachment strips. First time ever using a mic. to set decals. Wow! Eyes are bloodshot

 jeaton01, Next build with lozenge decals, the dog is getting shaved first! No stray dog hairs.

 sirdrake, Built a 1/72 Fokker Triplane last year and can not imagine setting the decals, then painting the pattern on. Would be cross I'd for a week and cursing like a sailor.

  Daywalker, The woodgrain is something that was carried over from armor builds. Decal application wasn't. Not many decals on armor. Really enjoy the WWI aircraft, hope to build more. 

 Thank you all for viewing and the comments...

 Best Regards,

WOW !  These builds are great !  True motivation and inspiration!!!

Here is the Ni17, the pictures are a bit rough, so I will be updating them soon...too knackered to do so now...

Paul, Joe: really looking nice!

SD

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 Hello All,

 JoeRugby, The Nieuport looks awesome. a very nice finish. Looking forward to more pics.

 Modelcellar, The figure is great and the details stunning. The leather jacket is outstanding. Very cool...

 Best Regards,