Imperial Russian Ace Yevgraph Kruten's Nieuport 11 (with skiis) - Toko 1/72

[S. Uehlinger]

Yevgraph Nicolaevich Kruten was born in Kiev in late 1891.    Son of a Russian Army Colonel, he entered the Kiev military Cadet Corps at age 11.   Fascinated by aviation, he was taken under the wing of Petr Nestorov, known as the first aviator to successfully loop his aircraft.   Nestorov recommended the young Artillery officer as an aviation candidate.  An excellent pilot, he started the war flying Voisin LAs.  By 1916, with tremendous experience, Kruten was now the Second Russian Army Air Detachment Commander (rank of Staff Captain).

 

When Kruten’s detachment began transition to Nieuport 11s inn Feb 1916, Kruten began writing a series of 6 theoretical booklets outlining for inexperienced pilots the rules for successful Air Battle (sort of like a Russian Oswald Boelcke).     The booklets defined the assault sequence as: Altitude—Speed—Maneuver—Fire

 

After downing 3 German planes, in Nov 1916, Kruten was selected to join other Russian pilots in France to familiarize themselves with new tactics.  He was assigned to Escadrille N.3 under the care of Aces Guynemer and Huerteaux.    He downed another German and was awarded the French Croix De Guerre.  In Paris when the Czar abdicated, he called it the “Saving Thunderstorm that liberated Russia from the Czarist Regime”.  Returning to the Eastern Front in April 1917, he assumed command of the Second Air Group, as Russia fought on under the Kerensky govt.  This Group was equipped with Neiuport 17s and 21s.  Now LCOL Kruten’s fighters were adorned with a Medieval Knight - a practice he had picked up in France. After scoring a few more victories (6 total), on 19 June 1917 he was returning from a flight when his Nieuport 17 went into a spin and crashed.  It is noted that at this point in the war, maintenance of aging Aircraft was starting to plummet as Russian forces began to disintegrate as Revolution spread.

 

Kruten's Awards were:  Order of St George, 4th Class, Order of St George, 3rd class (posthumous), Golden Sword of St George, Order of St Anne, 4th class, and Order of St Stanislaus, 3rd and S2nd Class.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kruten's Fatal Accident:

 

 

 

[Wulfman]

Nice looking Nieuport, keep ‘em coming !

 

Wulfman

[thorfinn]

Big fan of Nieuports -- in any scale --  and a big fan of Toko kits as well. Excellent achievement on both fronts!

[NMLeonov]

A very fitting model of (one of) Podpolkovnik Kruten's Nieuports. These early machines are simply majestic and the personal heraldry adds special charm. Well done and I look forward to seeing more!

[S. Uehlinger]

Thanks for the compliments!   Several more Nieuport kits lying about....along with extra Russian Civil War Decals.....More to Come!