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• Cybermodeler.com • 2013-02-17
• ModelingMadness.com • 2013-02-17
• www.aerostories.org • 2013-02-17
• Hyperscale.com • 2013-02-17
• Amazon.co.uk customer review (1) • 2013-02-17
• InternetModeler.com • 2013-02-17
• Model Aircraft 09/2011 • 2013-02-17
• Air Modeller Issue 37 • 2013-02-17
• SAMI vol.17/7 • 2013-02-17
• Scaleplasticandrail.com • 2013-02-17
• ScaleModelling.now.com • 2013-02-17
• Revi 86 • 2013-02-17
• Plastikowe.pl • 2011-07-21
• Skrzydlata Polska 7/2011 • 2011-07-21

• Cybermodeler.com • 2013-02-17

  By Ray Mehlberger

  Date of Review June 2011

  This is the second volume in the new “French Wings” series. It covers the attractive biplane and sesquiplane fighters produced by Nieport-Delage Company in the 1920’s – early 30’s. The Ni-D 29 was a major constituent of the French Aeronautique Militaire during the whole of the 20’s, and also saw service in Belgium, Italy, Siam, Argentina, Spain and Sweden. Nakajima also built the type under license as the Ko 4, and it remained in Chinese service until the late 30’s.

  The Ni-D 62 sesquiplane family also saw extensive service world-wide, with a variety of users. As a mainstay of the Armee de l’Air and Aeronautique Navale fighter units in the 30’s, they remained in service (albeit as trainers) even in 1940. These aircraft also saw service in Romania, Brazil, Turkey and Spain. During the Spanish Civil War, Ni-D 52’s fought on both sides of the conflict.

  This book describes and illustrates these aircraft in detail, with 152 black and white photos and 64 color profiles of both types. The aircraft are illustrated in the markings of the various countries that used them (mentioned above). Many of the color illustrations are multiple views. These color illustrations appear on the same pages as the photos of the actual aircraft be illustrated. Neat!

  There are several information charts and a cut-away drawing of the Ni-D 62 that spans 2 pages and has all its parts named.

  This book will prove to be an invaluable reference source for aircraft historians, enthusiasts and modelers. Although I don’t find any kits yet of the Ni-D 29, there is a kit of the Ni-D 622 by Smer in 1/72nd scale (kit no. SME 851) available at Great Models for $7.65.

• ModelingMadness.com • 2013-02-17

  Reviewer: Scott Van Aken

  It is always a delight to receive a book on a subject that you thought would never be done. Yet the fine folks at Stratus publishing have managed to put together a book that I think is really superb on an interesting subject, the French Nieuport-Delage 29 and 62 family of aircraft.

  If you've not had the chance to read a Stratus book, then you are in for a treat. Not only are they well written, but they are chock full of photographs and color profiles based on those photographs. This one is no exception with dozens upon dozens of well chosen image and great profiles.

  We are provided with a full history of the two planes covered in the book from the post WWI Ni-D 29 series to the later Ni-D 62, which saw quite a bit of combat in the Spanish Civil war. The Ni-D 29 came from the need to have something better than what the French ended WWI flying. There was also a need to concentrate on just one aircraft in the more austere post war period. The Ni-D 29 offered enough of an improvement over others to be the one chosen. It was somewhat unique in that the fuselage was molded plywood, giving it a sleek aerodynamic advantage. This trait was also used on the later Ni-D 62 family.

  The Ni-D 29 was quite a successful plane not only with the French, but with the Japanese, Belgians, Italians and some others. Thanks to the success of the Ni-D 29, Nieuport-Delage was able to provide the next successful fighter design to take the French air force into the 1930s. This time it was a sesquiplane design that was chosen. This was partly due to the extreme flex of the long wing struts when the design was originated as a parasol fighter. Again, a wood shell fuselage, though a series was built with all aluminum coating. Again, this was a relative success in export, and thanks to it being available and being built by the Spanish, it was a major player in the early years of the Spanish Civil War. Though obsolescent around that time, it did provide what was needed when it was needed. Even with the French air force the plane was still being used as an advanced trainer when WWII started and some lasted until mid-war in that role.

  In addition to a history of the types, there is a section on the various camouflage and markings schemes worn by these planes. None of these aircraft survived, but thanks to Stratus, we now have a fine reference book in English on these important French aircraft. Like all of Stratus' books, this one is a keeper and a must have by those interested in WWII French aviation.

• www.aerostories.org • 2013-02-17

  After a very good Volume 1 about the Latécoère 290 and 298 family, Mushroom publishes this time a study on a family of French fighters, the Ni-D29 and Ni-D62, who served around the World during the 20’s and 30’s. Book of 92 pages, the look is impressive at very first sight with a beautiful collection of photographs illustrated with first class and high quality colour profiles, alongside with plenty of details and useful information.

  However, where I’m a bit disappointed is about the part dedicated to the career of these fighters outside France. Without a doubt, describing that part is interesting, but when that part covers over half of the book, it eventually becomes another book as far as we are talking about ‘French Wings’. The section about the Spanish Nieuports (Ni-52) alone counts for 24 pages (one fourth of the book), more or less the same number of pages the author needed to describe the career of the French Nieuports of the same family (Ni-62) ; It is so obvious that if the book would have been named ’Spanish-French Wings’, no one would find nothing wrong ! Not that the Spanish Civil War should be ignored, but when a series is named "French Wings’, everyone can expect to have basically and mainly French stuff to read, something Mushroom has done brilliantly so far with the first volume of this series and with Polish Wings in which only Polish stuff can be read.

  Consequently for those who like deep studies describing exotic topics and Spanish aviation in particular, it is a good book for them, but for those who expect to see mostly French roundels, they will be a little bit disappointed.

  Recommended.

  Phil Listemann

• Hyperscale.com • 2013-02-17

  Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner

  F i r s t R e a d

  Not long after WWI, the Nieuport-Delage company manufactured an attractive series of biplanes.

  One of these was the Ni-D 29 which was used throughout the 1920s by the French Aéronautique Militaire. It also saw service in other countries such as Belgium, Italy, Siam, Argentina, Spain and Sweden. Enthusiasts of Japanese aircraft would recognise the licence built version by Nakajima known as the Ko-4.

  The other was the Ni-D 62 family of sesquiplane aircraft which formed the foundation of the Armée de l’Air and Aéronautique Navale fighter units during the 1930s. As trainers they managed to serve until 1940 with Romania, Brazil, Turkey and Spain all being recipients of the type. T

  his book tells the story of these aircraft and does so in 96 A4 sized pages.

  Over 60 different colour profiles are illustrated with the Ni-D 29, M.29, J2, Nakajima Ko-4, and B.Kh.4 all being represented. Not forgotten is the Ni-D 62 family which includes the Ni-D 622, Ni-D 72, Ni-D 52, and Ni-D 42. The profiles are very nicely rendered but I think it is time to get rid of the black shading that surrounds the image. It gives the illusion of a blurred outline that detracts from the artist’s otherwise very fine work.

  The text is divided into sections that differentiate the two main types. Their history is explained in an easily understood way with plenty of period photographs interspersed throughout the narrative. In fact there are close to 150 of them. They are an interesting collection and the clarity of many is quite outstanding.

  The colours and markings worn by the various users are adequately covered and the book is rounded out with a cutaway of the Ni-D 62.

  Overall this is an excellent publication and is one that gives the reader a good understanding of this unusual series of aircraft.

• Amazon.co.uk customer review (1) • 2013-02-17

  Excellent book, 5 Aug 2011

  By B. Olsen (Norway)

  Describes this family of aircraft from the technical as well as the operational aspect. French service in the mid-war years and early in World War II is covered in detail, so are the many export versions. An extended, separate chapter deals with the aircraft in combat during the Spanish Civil War. The book is illustrated with rare black & white photos throughout, and there is a large number of full colour profiles. Strongly recommended for aviation enthusiats interested in French aircraft of the mid-war years and for modellers.

• InternetModeler.com • 2013-02-17

  By Matt Bittner

  The Nieuport-Delage Ni-D 29 & Ni-D 62 family is a book that has long been waiting for. It's the first book – in English – to cover the Ni-D 62 family, and provides excellent coverage of the previous, WW1 design Ni-D 29. It is the second in Stratus' "French Wings" series (the first covering the Leot...) and hopefully not the last.

  The coverage of both types is superb. The Ni-D 29, while a WW1 design, would have been the best aircraft then flying, if the war lasted longer. As it was, it was still contracted for in decent numbers, and not only did Nieuport-Delage sell examples to other countries like Belgium, Sweden, Siam, etc., but the type was also contract-built by Nakajima in Japan, and was known as the Ko 4.

  The first section on the Ni-D 29 covers its use by France, while the rest of the major sections cover the other countries. One thing I like about the French Wings series by Stratus is how they handle the color profiles. With almost all of the profiles, Stratus provides photos of the machine being profiled on the same page. I wish all reference books would do it this way. If the photo of the machine isn't on the same page, then chances are it is still within the book.

  As I already mentioned, this is the first time (that I am aware) the Ni-D 62 family has been covered by an English-language reference. There have been articles on the types in the past (namely in Air Magazine) but these have all been in French. So it's a great this book also covers the Ni-D 62 family.

  There were 4 major types within the Ni-D 62 family: the Ni-D 62 itself; the enhanced Ni-D 622; and the export Ni-D 52 and Ni-D 72. The book does an excellent job of not only noting the major differences between the types, but also showcases which countries flew each type. And that's another area the book excels at. The color-profile coverage of each type within each country is superb.

  I have only one, minor complaint with the book. While there is a cut-a-way drawing showing the internals of the Ni-D 62, there are no scale drawings. I would rate this book "100%" if it came with scale drawings, the only thing missing from an otherwise stellar publication. Don't take my minor complaint as a reason not to buy this book, if you're interested in either 'tweener aircraft, or French aircraft in particular, buy this book as we need to show Stratus they should continue the "French Wing" series.

  Now we need decal manufacturers to make decals based on this book for the Azur kits of all types covered.

• Model Aircraft 09/2011 • 2013-02-17
  
• Air Modeller Issue 37 • 2013-02-17
  
• SAMI vol.17/7 • 2013-02-17
  
• Scaleplasticandrail.com • 2013-02-17

  This latest volume from the MMP stable is the second in their "French Wings" series, covering French aircraft that have not had the coverage that some other aircraft have received in book form. I previously reviewed the first volume, covering the Latécoère 290 and 298 seaplanes and found it well written and informative. Now, this book covers two of the Nieuport-Delage fighters from the interwar period; I know a little about the Ni-D 29, but much less about the Ni-D 62, so approached the book with interest.

  In the years immediately following WW1, the French Aéronautique Militaire adopted an aircraft developed during the war years as its standard fighter, the Nieuport-Delage Ni-D 29. With a more beefy fuselage than most of the French WW1 fighters, it gave good service and saw action in 1925 in Morocco in the Riff war as a ground attack aircraft. With around 700 being built between 1920 and 1928, it was also an export success, with aircraft serving with the air forces of Spain, Sweden, and Argentina. It was also built under licence in Belgium, Italy, Japan, as the Nakajima Ko-4 (which itself was exported to China) and Siam, as the Bin Khpa Lai (or "Type 4 Fighter").

  The first half of the book covers the development of the Ni-D 29 and its service in all of the above mentioned air forces. Examples of the content include some excellent black and white photos of Belgian aircraft (below) and colour profiles of Spanish and Argentinian aircraft (above).

  The Ni-D 62 sesquiplane family (one wing much larger than the lower wing) was equally successful. Adopted not only by both the French Armée de l'Air and the Aéronautique Navale in the late 1920s, it saw service all the way up to 1940. As with the Ni-D 29, export successes were obtained, with aircraft seeing service with the air forces of Brazil, Turkey, Romania and Spain. One sub-variant, the Ni-D 52, saw service with both the opposing sides in the Spanish Civil War.

  As expected, the second half of the book covers the Ni-D 62, including its complicated development from the earlier Ni-D 42. Photos chosen show aircraft serving with the Romanian air force (below) and the last photo (above) illustrates some profiles of French aircraft.

  As with the first in the series, I was mightily impressed by both the content and presentation of the book. There are a few models available of these aircraft (1/72 kits by SMER, Heller, Special Hobby and Azur) and a rumoured 1/48 kit from Eastern Europe under development. Therefore, the book will appeal to modellers as well as military historians on this occasion.

  So what do we think?

  Another very comprehensive history on 2 lesser known aircraft, well written and beautifully illustrated.

  Overall: 8.0/10

  Our thanks to MMP for the review sample

  Robin Jenkins

• ScaleModelling.now.com • 2013-02-17

  Review by: Jamie Haggo

  This is an obscure subject, but don’t let that fool you, this is a stunning book.

  Packed full of period photographs, it’s amazing how common this aeroplane actually was. Widely exported during the inter war years, it was usually painted in an array of bright gaudy colours, as well as camouflaged examples, which has resulted in some of the best colour profiles I have ever seen.

  Chapters deal with all nations who flew this aircraft and I learnt an awful lot just flicking through.

  Azur certainly produce models of the types, however I really hope that Wingnut Wings expand their range to inter war and cover this subject, or Silver Wings have a stab at it. This aeroplane has model kits and some decal sheets too, so several possibilities are there for you to explore.

  Recommended to all inter war and bi-plane fans.

  Jamie H.

• Revi 86 • 2013-02-17
  
• Plastikowe.pl • 2011-07-21

  Opis szczegółowy

  Tematyka

  Tematem jest minimonografia rodziny samolotów Nieuport-Delage — od Ni-D 29C1, przez japońskie licencyjne Nakajima Ko-4, aż do rodziny Ni-D 62C1 (Ni-D 42, Ni-D 52, Ni-D 62 i Ni-D 72. Omówiono rozwój konstrukcji, różnice między wersjami oraz użytkowników poszczególnych typów.

  Jakość edytorska

  Jak zwykle bez zarzutu, standardowa dla serii „Wings” oraz publikacji Wydawnictwa Stratus. Plany, zdjęcia i profile

  Planów brak, za takie mogą posłużyć profile barwne. Tutaj mała prośba do wydawcy — przydałoby się publikowanie profili w określonej skali lub wydrukowane podziałki na planszach barwnych.

  Zdjęcia opublikowane w książce w większości są mało znane i, przynajmniej dla polskiego odbiorcy, unikalne. Na ich podstawie przygotowano rewelacyjne profile barwne. Część zdjęć to wyraźne zbliżenia konstrukcji, z pewnością przydadzą się modelarzom przy budowie modeli. Podsumowanie

  Bardzo dobra publikacja. Osób zainteresowanych lotnictwem francuskim jest w Polsce niewiele. Samoloty Nieuport-Delage też nie są szczególnie znane. Mamy jednak osoby zainteresowane lotnictwem Ameryki Południowej, konfliktami zbrojnymi na Dalekim Wschodzie czy wojną domową w Hiszpanii. Ta książka jest także dla nich, albowiem Nieuporty wszędzie tam latały. Miłośnicy poloniców też nie będą zawiedzeni: polscy piloci po klęsce wrześniowej zetknęli się z myśliwcami Nieuport-Delage Ni-D 622 w szkołach lotniczych w Châteauroux we Francji oraz w Blidzie w Algierii i takie zdjęcia znajdziemy w książce.

  Nowe książki o samolotach francuskich opublikowane w języku angielskim są rzadkością. Na szczęście Wydawnictwo Stratus pomaga w pokonaniu bariery językowej. To cieszy tym bardziej, że wielu francuskich konstrukcji używaliśmy w II Rzeczpospolitej i po cichu liczę, że i one doczekają się opracowań.

• Skrzydlata Polska 7/2011 • 2011-07-21