"John Ousterhout" wrote in
message news:hHGRg.160371$FQ1.68993@attbi_s71...
Robert Baslee's company - Airdrome Aeroplanes - makes kits (very good ones
IMO) for various WWI aircraft, including Nieuports and Fokkers.
http://www.airdromeaeroplanes.com/

Robert was contracted by the movie company to built two - later changed to
four - full-scale Nieuport 17 replicas. Robert and his helpers completed
and flew the aircraft in only 52 days. After test flights they were
shipped to England for filming. The special effects folks "aged" them to
add authenticity. These aircraft used VW engines with a propeller
reduction. A casting of rotary engine cylinders was used to cover the cowl
opening when the aircraft were on the ground.

They were radials not rotarys.

Note: when
the engines were running you did not see the cylinders rotating. Robert
has the four Nieuports again and plans to auction them all together.

August 2005 KITPLANES magazine had a story about Robert building four
aircraft in 52 days.

A bunch of other aircraft were also used in the movie.
http://www.landings.com/evird.acgi$pass*73233571!_h-www.landings.com/_landings/pacflyer/may6-2005/Mn-71-flyboys-the-mo.html

- John Ousterhout -