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The Nieuport 17 will
certainly be remembered as one of the finest fighters of World War
One. Campaigned by the British, Belgian, Italian, and
Russian air services, as well as the famed Lafayette Escadrille,
the Nieuport 17 was the ship choice for aces Ball, Bishop,
Guynemer, Mannock, Nungesser and others. Its superiority was
so clear that the Germans, in desperation, captured and then
copied the design. The demand for the Nieuport 17 exceeded
supply, and it wasn't long before production began Italy and
Russia as well as its native France.
Powered by both the
110HP LeRhone and the 130HP Clerget, the Nieuport 17 sported
various armament configurations, the most popular being a single
Vickers on the cowl and a Lewis on the top wing.
The strength of the Nieuport 17
was its lack of weaknesses. Some knowledgeable historians
will argue that the single lower wing spar was its Achilles' heel,
but numerous modifications would be made to minimize wing flutter
in all but the most severe conditions.
Given the many virtues
of the Nieuport 17, it is easy to see why it makes such a great
model. The stance and proportions of this ship are just
right. If the blue skies over France are calling you, why
not build yours today?
Click
here to see
more Nieuport 17 photos
in the Photo Gallery
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Click
here to see
more Nieuport 17 photos in the Photo Gallery
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