Nieuport 17: Difference between revisions
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==Operational history== |
==Operational history== |
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[[Image:Nieuport 17 at Festival of History 07.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A Nieuport 17 in flight at a display in 2007.]] |
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The type reached the [[France|French]] front in March [[1916]], and quickly began to replace the Nieuport 11 in French service. It was also ordered by the [[Royal Flying Corps]] and [[Royal Naval Air Service]], as it was superior to any British fighter at that time. Worthy of note is the fact that during part of 1916 the Nie 17 equipped every fighter squadron of the Aviation Militaire. The [[Germany|Germans]] supplied captured examples to several of their aircraft manufacturers for them to copy - the [[Siemens-Schukert D.I]] - a Nieuport copy, actually went into production, although the improved German fighters of late 1916 soon surpassed it. |
The type reached the [[France|French]] front in March [[1916]], and quickly began to replace the Nieuport 11 in French service. It was also ordered by the [[Royal Flying Corps]] and [[Royal Naval Air Service]], as it was superior to any British fighter at that time. Worthy of note is the fact that during part of 1916 the Nie 17 equipped every fighter squadron of the Aviation Militaire. The [[Germany|Germans]] supplied captured examples to several of their aircraft manufacturers for them to copy - the [[Siemens-Schukert D.I]] - a Nieuport copy, actually went into production, although the improved German fighters of late 1916 soon surpassed it. |
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Revision as of 12:06, 17 August 2007
Template:Infobox Aircraft The Nieuport 17 was a French biplane fighter aircraft of World War I, manufactured by the Nieuport company.
Design and development
It was a slightly larger development of the earlier Nieuport 11, and had a more powerful engine, larger wings, and a more refined structure in general. At first, it was equipped with a 110 hp (82 kW) Le Rhône 9J engine, though later versions were upgraded to a 130 hp (97 kW) engine. It had outstanding maneuverability, and an excellent rate of climb. Unfortunately, the narrow lower wing - which marked it as a "sesquiplane" design, with literally "one-and-a-half wings" - was weak and had a disconcerting tendency to disintegrate in flight, from the lower wing's single spar construction.
Initially the Nie 17 retained the above wing mounted Lewis gun of the "11", but, at least in French service, this was generally replaced by a synchronised Vickers gun. In the Royal Flying Corps, the wing mounted Lewis, by now on the improved Foster mounting, was usually retained. A few individual aircraft carried both guns - but in practice this reduced performance unacceptably.
Operational history
The type reached the French front in March 1916, and quickly began to replace the Nieuport 11 in French service. It was also ordered by the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service, as it was superior to any British fighter at that time. Worthy of note is the fact that during part of 1916 the Nie 17 equipped every fighter squadron of the Aviation Militaire. The Germans supplied captured examples to several of their aircraft manufacturers for them to copy - the Siemens-Schukert D.I - a Nieuport copy, actually went into production, although the improved German fighters of late 1916 soon surpassed it.
By early 1917, the Nieuport was already becoming obsolete. Newer models (the Nieuport 24 and the 27) were brought out in an attempt to retain the type's ascendency. However, the SPAD S.VII had already replaced the Nieuport fighters in many French squadrons by that summer.
Many Allied air aces flew Nieuport fighters, including Canadian ace W.A. Bishop, who received a Victoria Cross while flying it, and (most famously of all) Albert Ball.
Operators
Belgium
Chile
Colombia
Czechoslovakia (post-war)
Estonia
Finland
France
Hungary
Italy
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Russia
Siam (Thailand)
Soviet Union
Ukraine 
United Kingdom
United States
Specifications (Nie 17)
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This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them. |
General characteristics
- Crew: one, pilot
Performance
Armament
Related content
Related development
Related lists