66k JPEG
©2000 Smithsonian Institution
#W2000CM0015
|
May,
2000
A docent guide shows the nearly completed Nieuport 28C-1 to
a group of visitors (not pictured). At left, Max Gainer and Scott
Wood discuss mounting of the fabric wheel coverings. |
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43k JPEG
©2000
Smithsonian Institution
#W2000CM0028
|
May,
2000
All of the Nieuport 28 fighters in the the U.S. Air Service's
94th Aero Squadron carried the unit's famous Hat-in-the-Ring insignia
on the fuselage sides. Most of these airplanes had a red ring painted
around the hat. However, records indicate that the ring on Lt. James
Meissner's 94th Aero Squadron Nieuport was a different color from
the typical red. Research suggested that it may have been the same
as the underside color of the airplane (left sample in the photo),
or perhaps a more yellowish green (right sample). Curators attempted
to determine which of the two suggested ring colors shown in this
photo best represented the actual color of the ring. With only black
and white historical photographs for reference, researchers in the
Museum's Center for Earth and Planetary Studies used image processing
techniques to determine that the yellowish green color was the better
choice. This, of course, was not a definitive determination of the
color. The image processing analysis was only an interesting experiment
to aid curators in making a judgement in lieu of more complete color
documentation. |
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77k JPEG
©2000
Smithsonian Institution
#W2000CM0025
|
May,
2000
The Nieuport 28C-1 almost ready to be put on its wheels. |
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66k JPEG
©2000
Smithsonian Institution
#W2000CM0021
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May,
2000
A restoration specialist performs the final fitting of the gun
mounts on the nearly completed Nieuport 28C-1 |
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72k JPEG
©2000
Smithsonian Institution
#W2000CM0023
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May,
2000
Max Gainer adds the final details to the flying wires. |
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64k JPEG
Smithsonian
Institution
#W2000CM0004
|
March,
2000
The Nieuport fuselage is finished, as are the wings. The
skin has four coats of dope which is considered less than "normal",
yet is consistent with the original French technique. The wings
and fuselage are now ready for painting which will be done entirely
by hand. |
101K JPEG
©1999 Smithsonian Institution
#W1999CM0015
|
May,
1999
In May of 1999, the Nieuport 28 was moved to a new location
in the shop for assembly and detail work. The aircraft was assembled
to check the fit of the wings, struts, and bracing wires. Fabric
for the wings had recently arrived. Soon the aft fuselage and
wings will be covered with new fabric. |
92K JPEG
©1998 Smithsonian Institution
#W1998CM0052 |
Dec,
1998
The nearly complete vertical stabilizer and rudder. All that
remains is to dope on the
fabric. The skin seen behind the cockpit as well as all
of the skins that will go around the cockpit and forward fuselage
are made with the same unique French
poplar-strip technique. |
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97K JPEG
© 1998 Smithsonian Institution
#W1998CM00012
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Jan,
1998
Details of the structure of the upper wing. Some of the wooden
components have been replaced with new material made to the
same specifications of the original aircraft.
|
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107K JPEG
© 1998 Smithsonian Institution
#W1998CM00015
|
Jan,
1998
Max Gainer placing one of the pieces
of composite top decking on the top of the Nieuport 28 fuselage
behind the cockpit. Fabric covers the area aft of it. |
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158K JPEG
© 1998 Smithsonian Institution
#W1998CM00011
|
Jan,
1998
This is a piece of the plywood skin on the rudder. Clearly visible
is writing in pencil in the hand of Cole Palen, owner of the
Old Rheinbeck Aerodrome in New York, when he restored this Nieuport
28 to flying condition for his airshows. |
