From the archive (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 fast-food 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 interesting technical
features: a cantilever wing of advanced airfoil with no struts or wires, a
completely enclosed engine, a clear vision field 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.
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 fitted 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 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 aluminum 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.
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