1/72 "Newfie" 28 from the Revell Nieuport 28

[Brian da Basher]

In the summer of 1925, a trade dispute between the Dominion of Newfoundland, Canada and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reached a breaking point. In an effort to boost a sagging domestic post-war economy, the U.K. attempted to force Newfoundland and Canada to accept enormous imports of Twiglets, Blood Pudding and Bovril. Neither the Newfoundlanders or their Canadian neighbors would accept such an assault on their taste buds. This caused the Dominion of Newfoundland to seek union with Canada and it caused Canada to develop a new flag devoid of any reference to the United Kingdom. In the process, Canada also dropped "Royal" from the name of their air force and started using a new maple leaf roundel.

This was all well and good, but since ties had been broken with their main source of modern military equipment, new tanks and aircraft had to be developed locally. Enter a small start up company, Newfoundland Aero of Gander. They took obsolete W.W. I vintage Nieuport 28s and re-designed them with a steel tube framework, new tail, an enclosed cockpit and sleek, spatted landing gear. The new fighter was powered by the 9 cylinder Newfie Screech radial engine of incredible power and fuel economy, although it could be a bit sluggish reaching maximum altitude. The new aircraft was called the Newfie 28 and eventually equipped all Canadian Air Force front-line fighter squadrons. The Newfie 28's claim to fame was in putting down the St. Pierre incursion of 1929. Newfie 28s were finally taken out of front-line duties and relegated to training roles in 1931. The sole surviving Newfie 28 can be seen today at the Newfoundland Air Museum in Stephenville, across the street from McStingy's Pub where one can get a stiff drink of Newfie Screech.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

The basis for this project is the wonderful 1/72 Revell Nieuport 28. It's a reissue of the classic kit and can be had for around $5. For those of you who don't know what a Nieuport 28 looks like, here's a pic:



I started by using wingtips left over from a Sopwith Triplane to make new horizontal stabs and then added the fin and rudder from a Sopwith Camel. I trimmed the Nieuport 28's wings to match the shape of the new horizontal stabs and cut ailerons in the upper wing. Next I grafted on a radial engine from my spares box and made an exhaust ring and pipe from wire and used the tip of a small bomb and some left-over blades to make the prop. The canopy is blisterpack from some sinus pills and the spats were scratched from pieces of sheet plastic and half a wheel. The model was rigged with steel wire and Gator Glue and more patience than I normally have.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

As this is the Grey Pride GB, the entire model was brush painted by hand with Model Masters Primer Gray acrylic paint. I used Model Masters Gunship Gray on the struts and most of the (invisible) cockpit. The engine was done with Model Masters Steel and craft-store Gunmetal dry brushed over top. I used Liquitex Copper to highlight the engine push rods. More Steel was used on the prop and Gunmetal on the guns. I used a set of CAF low-viz markings I've been saving for something special and this seemed to be the perfect project for them.

Brian da Basher

[sotoolslinger]

The aircraft is beautiful and no better reason for going to war has ever been put forth

[The Rat]

...a stiff drink of Newfie Screech.

Is there any other kind? 

Another beauty Brian, and those spats... OMG THOSE INTIMIDATING SPATS!!!

[John Howling Mouse]

It IS weird how appropriate those lo-viz markings look on the right biplane.  I'm thinking that prop originally came from an oil tanker, no?  Massive, just like the SPATS!
Must be powered by a HEMI... 

Newfie-28 is another star in your ceiling clouds of hanging models (you owe me pics, don't forget!).   

[Sauragnmon]

Man that looks cool.  I only just joined, so I can't get in on the GB, no aircraft in stock that could qualify for the build, they're both already in work under operational-style schemes.

Aside, nice low-vis job.  And if it ain't stiff, it ain't screech.

[kitbasher]

As mad as ever, Brian! 

[gooberliberation]

Man that looks cool.  I only just joined, so I can't get in on the GB, no aircraft in stock that could qualify for the build, they're both already in work under operational-style schemes.

Aside, nice low-vis job.  And if it ain't stiff, it ain't screech.

Joined after the GB started? If you've got an eligible build in mind, feel free to come on in!

[Sauragnmon]

Unfortunately, Goob, no I don't.  The only two birds I have in build, are in typical colours for their type.

[Radish]

Truly bonkers.

I love the Nieuport 28....built several back in the '60s when it first appeared and have stocked up.
I fancy the clipped wing idea and doing an example from the film "Dawn Patrol" with "I" struts. A beauty.

[BlackOps]

Dang Brian! I don't know how those guns are gonna miss that prop    That is one massive front end you've got on this baby! I like it! 

[noxioux]

Dang Brian! I don't know how those guns are gonna miss that prop    That is one massive front end you've got on this baby! I like it! 

The answer is:  They wont!  But it doesn't matter, because there isn't a .30 calibre bullet that could penetrate that kind of mass.

[Brian da Basher]

Dang Brian! I don't know how those guns are gonna miss that prop    That is one massive front end you've got on this baby! I like it! 

The answer is:  They wont!  But it doesn't matter, because there isn't a .30 calibre bullet that could penetrate that kind of mass.

Hehehehe. Actually, I set the guns so they would miss the engine just by a hair. I try to be careful about details like shooting off your own front end. It's just hard to see in these pics.

Glad you like it gents! I always enjoy building planes in maple leafs!

Brian da Basher