Nieuport's Marvelous Monoplanes
NIEUPORT MEANS biplanes to the average aviation enthusiast but before World War I, Nieuport was synonymous with monoplanes of great speed and efficiency. Edouard de Nieport, who later changed the spelling of his name to Nieuport for commercial purposes, was designing aircraft scientifically while most other aviation pioneers were still bumbling along with "cut-and-try" methods. While most of his contemporaries were hanging larger engines on their flying machines in search of greater speed, Edouard was working with Gustave Eiffel (of tower fame) wind-tunnel testing his designs. The efforts paid off in the form of many records for speed, duration and altitude, including some established in the United States. Perhaps the crowning achievement was the winning of the 1911 Gordon Bennett Cup Race. First spot went to American Charles T. Weymann, while Nieuport himself, flying a sister ship, placed third in the event.
Why Scale?
MOST BUILDERS start with a kit or magazine project as their initial introduction to scale modeling, and without a doubt this is the simplest approach. But to really experience the satisfaction inherent in scale, a person must become involved in research. This may only take the form of finding some particular paint scheme for decorating an existing kit design, or seeking out additional details to "frost the cake." Or, one may have in mind a pet aircraft that is just not available in kit form. Whatever the reason, whether you are undertaking the simplest Peanut Scale type of model or the most complex form of RC machine, it will pay you to devote sometime to research.
Why Scale?
EVER WONDER what makes a scale modeler tick? It would seem that they hear a slightly different drummer than "regular" (non-scale) model builders. Not necessarily a better beat, but certainly a different one. Active scale builders are a distinct minority group. Yet they gain attention all out of proportion to their numbers. There are a great many scale model talkers, but relatively few doers. The reason is simple: Researching, designing, and building scale models is very hard work! Vast amounts of patience and discipline are required, not to mention skill, and most people are not willing to invest all of those ingredients. What motivates those who are? Ask ten different builders and you may receive ten different answers. Over a period of years, we have exchanged many letters relating to the subject with modelers in various parts of the U.S. and in foreign countries. And recently, J. D. Gillies and your author completed a tour which gave us the opportunity to talk to some of these people in person as well as to see their models first-hand.
