Scratchbuilt 1/72 Nieuport-Delage NiD-37 racer- 1922

Gallery Article by Gabriel Stern on Apr 22 2010

 

   Racers are usually thought to be slim, sleek and elongated. But that’s not always the case.

Suffice to remember the Bristol Type 72 Bullet, the Arnoux “flying wing” racer and the subject of this article, the portly Nieuport-Delage 37. They are all examples of what a bad diet can do to you.

   Conceived to race on the Coupe Deutsch, a technical problem (overheating, of course, the thing was huffing and puffing) prevented its participation and the machine was put on a strict diet. No more Croque-Monsieur and French toast for you, mon ami.

   Nevertheless, the NiD 37 exhibited nice features of the trade: a cantilever wing of advanced airfoil with no struts or wires, a completely enclosed engine, a clear vision for the pilot atop the fuselage, hidden surface control mechanisms, carefully-studied contours and streamlining of the landing gear. A “lobster pot” Lamblin radiator was installed to avoid cumbersome, large frontal area ones.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

   Not much, as sometimes happens, is around regarding this remarkable racer; a few photos on the Net, a side view in the Speed Seekers, and a couple mentions on a Flight Magazine of the time.

   Based on that material a 3view was devised and a wood master was created to vac the parts, which barely fit into the Mattel plate, producing two very thin (the Mattel can’t handle heavy-gauge plastic) fuselage sides.

   The rest was also scratchbuilt with the usual techniques you are familiar with: the magic wand and the ever-trusty alchemy set.

   A couple of Lamblin radiators were created and the better one was used.

   Exhaust stubs were made stretching a styrene tube, painting it and then cutting the necessary sections. A wood prop was carved and a tail skid was made of tiny laminated alu soda can strips to replicate the “springs” on the original. Decals were home made.

   Racers have an enormous appeal. Their lines, their stance, are always evocative and inspiring. A very small model in 1/72, but with a lot of attitude.

   Thanks to Carlos Carreira for the help with references.

Gabriel Stern

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

  

  

  

Photos and text © by Gabriel Stern