Omega 1/72 nd resin Nieuport 21

By Matt Bittner

History

The Nieuport 21 was a small answer to the problems of supplying the Allies with the Nieuport 17. Since the 110hp Le Rhone was primarily fitted to the Nieuport 17, and since supplies at first were low, the Nieuport 17 was fitted with the 80hp Le Rhone and given a new cowl. A primary duty for the Nieuport 21 was as a trainer aircraft, but it was pressed into service as well. One of the famous pilots that flew the Nieuport 21 was Raoul Lufberry who flew with N.124, the Layfette Escadrille.

The Kit

The Omega Nieuport 21 consists of 24 resin parts. There are no decals with this kit.

Finally! A Nieuport that is relatively accurate - more so than any other in this scale. Yes, the Omega is a clone of the Revell Nieuport 17, but it is a corrected clone. Corrections include increasing the span of the lower wing; packing the rear-underside of the fuselage out to make it deeper; and increase the sweepback of the upper wing. Unfortunately one correction seems to have been overlooked, and that's the addition of the exhaust channel on the fuselage underside, behind and under the cowl.

All but two of the smaller parts are useable. It appears that Omega molded a 'recliner'for use as the Nieuport seat. This and the engine will be the only parts that must be replaced. The engine on the Nieuport 21 was the 80hp Le Rhone, but Omega provides the 110hp. With that being said, though, I plan on replacing the undercarriage and interplane struts with the resin items made by Rosemont Hobby Shop under their Roseparts range. These are the most accurate Nieuport undercarriage and interplane struts on the market.

Conclusion

As I stated in a paragraph above, this is the first Nieuport in 1/72nd that is very accurate. No having to chop wings up to get them into the correct shape and size. No adding plastic to the bottom of the fuselage to deepen it. About the only thing you will have to do is add the exhaust channel to the forward fuselage 'under' the cowl.

Highly recommended, especially to Nieuport Nuts like myself.