The Nieuport 17 was one of a series of Nieuports developed during World War I. All the Nieuports featured a "one and a half" wing configuration with a large upper wing and a smaller narrow lower wing. This required the use of a "V" shaped strut and gave the pilot excellent visibility and maneuverability.
The 17 was underarmed compared to German planes of the time. Early models were fitted with a single Lewis machine gun mounted on the upper wing. Some Nieuports were later refitted with a synchronized Vickers machine gun mounted on the fuselage.
This plane carries the markings of the French 124th Squadron "Escadrille de Lafayette", a squadron of American volunteers flying for the French before the U.S. entered the war.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Country of Manufacture | France |
| First Year of Service | 1916 |
| Wing Span | 26.9 ft | 8.2 m |
| Length | 18.8 ft | 5.7 m |
| Height | 7.8 ft | 2.4 m |
| Weight | 1246 lbs | 565 kg |
| Engine | Le Rhone 9 cylinder air-cooled rotary engine, 110hp |
| Top Speed | 110 mph | 177 km/h |
| Range | 200 miles | 320 km |
| Armament | 1 Lewis .303 machine gun and/or 1 Vickers .303 machine gun |
| Crew | 1 |
