Nieuport 17: Bi-plane in French service

Nieuport 17, WW I

Successor to the "Baby" Nieuport 11, predecessor to the 23. First flight 17 March 1916. Constructors: Eduoard Nieuport and Franz Schneider: Their idea was to combine the best of a biplane and monoplane (hence the small lower wing), especially low kg/sqm (fast climb) and high maneuverability. This combination had its name, "sesquiplane", 1 1/2 winger.

Aces that flew it: Billy Bishop, Charles Nungesser,  Albert Ball.

Specs:

Engine: Le Rhone Rotary
Horsepower: 120
Wingspan: 8,5 mtr
Length: 6 mtr
Height: 2.5 mtr
Empty Weight: 365 kg
Gross Weight: 560 kg
Top Speed: 180 km/h
Service Ceiling: 5000+ mtrs
Range: 360 km


Armament: One wing-mounted Lewis machine gun or one synchronized Vickers .303 machine gun (the latter in this photo´s case, so this is a late model: When it entered service the French didnt have the sync thingy checked out yet and had to mount guns above the propeller)

The Germans made a copy, the Siemens D1

Hope this helps,

Rattler