Nieuport 28, Airdrome Aeroplanes Nieuport 28 Replica WWI fighter aircraft

Since the early 90's  Robert Baslee of Airdrome Aeroplanes has brought  new aircraft design to Sun N Fun. Robert specializes in WW 1 replica aircraft as well several designs that can be flown under the U.S. FAR part 103 ultralight category.

This year he showed up at the show with a scaled Replica of the Nieuport 28, built by Blake and Sandy Thomas of Florida. When you first look at Robert's designs your first impression is that the aircraft, it appears to be a scaled version of the original aircraft.

It is only after you get up close and personal that you realize the amount of design work that has gone into the project to make give it a replica look, while using building construction, material and system controls of today.

I had the opportunity to interview Blake Thomas who along with his wife built the Nieuport 28 that Robert had on display. Blake who had built an aircraft prior to this project, built the craft over a period of nine months, logging approximately 950 hours. Blake describes the build as a very "unique experience," and the kit as "outstandingly easy to work with".

According to Blake "Robert has done a very good job of melding modern building techniques and materials into a craft that looks like a WWI aircraft." "the innards of this airplane are modern, safe aircraft while outwardly it looks like a WW1 Aircraft, that is a real pleasure to fly."

Blake wanted "a full scale Nieuport 28" "because that was the first fighter aircraft that we ever went to war with in WWI."

He began construction of the craft at Roberts facility in Missouri under Airdrome Aeroplanes builders assist program. This was a "great experience, because Robert is right there if you have a question or don't understand something." 

"Robert put a more of a modern airfoil on it, so it is more stable and fly better than the WWI aircraft, that were more difficult to fly". "These fly like a Super Cub."

Power for Blake's Nieuport 28 is supplied by a Lycoming O290 D, which puts out bout 125 HP. Blake indicates that kit cost about $15,000, the engine another $15,000 and with instruments, prop etc. you can expect to spent between $35,000 and $40,000.

Blake indicates he is getting "pretty close to the original performance of the plane, but has a little better cruise speed because of the newer airfoil."

For more information contact: www.airdromeaeroplanes.

Ultralight Aircraft Magazine - Welcome to the Ultralight Aircraft News our goal is to cover as many aircraft expositions that host aircraft described as ultralight aircraft, light sport aircraft, experimental light sport aircraft, amateur built aircraft, ELSA or homebuilt aircraft that fit into the definition of ultralight aircraft in Canada or light sport aircraft, or experimental amateurbuilt light sport aircraft in the United States. 

These include three axis control aircraft, weight shift control aircraft, more commonly known as trikes, powered parachutes, helicopters, gyrocopters and powered para-gliders that meet the light sport or ultralight aircraft definition.

Airshows and aircraft expositions that we cover include, the Deland Sport Aviation Showcase, U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, Deland Sport Aviation Showcase, E.A.A.'s Sun N Fun, E.A.A.'s Airventure, the Midwest LSA Show, Copperstate, UPAC Convention and Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany. We try to regularly attend regional shows like the Arlington Fly-In, and Rocky Mountain Fly-In. 

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