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

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.