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Nieuport 17
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French Nieuport 17 aircraft are among the best known of World War I. The aircraft was designed by Gustave Delage.
A Frenchman, Clement Ader received the first ever contract to built a military aircraft in 1892. Although he could not get the aircraft to fly, it set a precedent for the use of an airplane as a military weapon.
By 1907 the United States had put forth its own requirements for a military aircraft. Germany patented the first fixed machine gun to be used on an aircraft in 1910. The first recorded use of a weapon being fired from an aircraft was in the United States on August 20, 1910.
The first British dedicated fighter aircraft took flight on November 3, 1912. During the civil war in Mexico, in November of 1913, the first recorded air to air combat took place with pistols being fired between aircraft.
The Nieuport 17, that first flew in 1916, was the second model of the Nieuport Fighting Scouts, and a vast improvement over its predecessor. The aircraft had a more powerful engine, greater wing area, and a stronger fuselage structure. Controls were actuated by wire rather than ropes.
Pilots appreciated the Nieuport 17 for its great maneuverability, speed, and climb rate. An improved gun mount made loading of the machine gun easier. Eventually a synchronized machine gun that could be fired through the propeller was mounted on the aircraft.
The Nieuport 17 became the preferred aircraft of a number of World War I flying aces. Eventually it became the predominant French World War I fighter aircraft before more modern aircraft replaced it.
In addition to France, a number of Allied nations flew the fighter aircraft. It was built under license in Italy and Russia.
Over 7,200 Nieuport 17 aircraft of all types were produced.
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Specifications
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Primary Function:
Crew:
Engine:
Power:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Machine Guns:
Length:
Wingspan:
Max. Speed:
Climb Rate:
Ceiling:
Range:
First Flight:
Year Deployed:
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fighter
one
Le Rhone 9J rotary
110 h.p.
825 lbs.
1,235 lbs.
1- .303 cal.
19' 0"
36' 9"
102 mph
750 fpm
17,500 feet
155 miles
1/15/1916
1916
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Nieuport 17
A Nieuport 17 from a Balsa USA kit.
Pictured above is the Nieuport 17 built from a kit for sale by Balsa USA. It is of all wood construction with a wingspan of 55" and a length
of 40". From .35 to .50 engines are required. Weight is about 6 lbs.
The first picture below is of the Nieuport 17 built from a kit for sale by Balsa USA. Construction is from wood. It has a
wingspan of 80" with a length of 61". A 1.20 four cycle engine can power the 14 lb. model.
The second picture is of the VK Models Nieuport 17 built from their kit. With a wingspan of 54" and length of 37" it
requires from .48 to .70 engines for power.
The next picture on this page is of the Nieuport 17 built from Flyboys plans. Its wingspan is 82" and
length is 57". A 1.20 four stroke engine can power the model.
The last picture below is from a build thread to the WattFlyer RC website by Long Time Flyer. It is a Nieuport 17 with a 47" wingspan that should weigh a little over 1 lb. when completed.
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Nieuport 17
