introduction

French Nieuports were instrumental in ending the Fokker Scourge early in the First World War air war. As new German types were introduced, the early Nieuports came to be known as “Fokker Fodder.” Seeking greater performance, Nieuport built their first Triplane in 1916. Based on the existing two-seater Nieuport Type 10 biplane, the design featured three staggered wings that formed a triangle. The top wing was placed in front of the pilot with the center wing placed behind for better field of view. Little is known of the performance of this aircraft, but after flight tests no further aircraft were produced. Nieuport experimented with at least two more triplanes based on the type 17 & type 17 bis.

The type one aircraft was numbered N 1118. Its further history after flight-tests is unknown.

The kit

Roseplane is the model company of Roseplanes / Roseparts / Rosemont Hobby Shop, of Northampton, PA. They make resin WW1 subjects: full kits and accessory parts. It is under new ownership and known as KRIEGER'S ROSEMONT HOBBY. In 2002 they produced this resin kit of the diminutive Nieuport Triplane #1 (Type 10).

Twenty-eight pieces build this model. They are in a simple box with a paper banner taped on. All parts except the Le Rhone Model J 110 hp rotary, 9 cylinder, radial, air cooled engine are encompassed by flash. It is thin and I simply snapped some off of a wing–it broke away cleanly.

The castings are free from air bubbles. They are very thin around the leading and trailing edges. All are crisply cast. A few mounting holes are cast to locate the critical struts.

The two seats have lap belts molded on and lightening holes. The cockpit sides have basic structural members but no further detail. Of course, there was not much in these cockpits. The kit does not have a control stick or rudder pedals. There are no weapons included--because this was a test plane?

The ailerons of the long center wing are cast separately.

The instruction sheet is very basic. It has a rigging diagram, and suggests the painting colors as natural metal for the cowling and engine side panels, a “dark color-possibly-green or brown” for the upper surfaces, and doped linen for the underside.

Roseplane also printed their own decals. They are perfectly registered, appear thin, and show virtually no carrier film outside the markings.

Conclusion

For my first full resin model, I probably should not try a wispy triplane. However, the quality of casting of this high-quality kit gives me a lot of confidence. Roseplane seems to value their customers, printing their address, e-mail, fax and telephone information on the instruction sheet. I look forward to building this unique Nieuport.