The most successful of the Nieuport biplanes of WWI, flown by the French, British, Americans, Italians, and Russians. Often referred to in contemporary sources as the “15 meter” Nieuport (based on its total wing surface).
During the summer of 1916, many months after the appearance of the Fokker, the French produced the Nieuport 17, armed with a Vickers gun with a synchronized firing mechanism, and far superior to the Nieuport 11, owing to its much higher ceiling. Many of these machines carried, in addition to the Vickers, a Lewis gun, mounted on the upper wing, but this arrangement reduced performance too much.
The Type 17 was slightly larger than the earlier Nieuport 11, and had a more powerful engine, larger wings, and was more aerodynamic. It was originally equipped with a 110 hp Le Rhône 9J engine, though later versions were upgraded to a 130 hp 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 due to its single spar construction, and had a disconcerting tendency to disintegrate in steep dives.
The type reached the front in March 1916, and quickly began to replace the Nieuport 11. 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. In fact, during one part of 1916, the Nieuport 17 equipped every fighter squadron of the French Aviation Militaire. The Germans even supplied captured examples to several of their aircraft manufacturers for them to copy, resulting in the Siemens-Schuckert D.I protoype.
By early 1917, the Nieuport was outclassed in most respects by the latest German fighters. 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 mid-1917.
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.
Like the other Nieuport types, the 17 was used as an advanced trainer for prospective fighter pilots after its operational days were over.
Hiram Bingham described its use as a trainer in 1918:
Training Fields 4, 5, and 6 were under the direction of Captain St. Clair Street, a conscientious and successful commander. These fields were equipped with the 15-meter Nieuport (Type 17), using the same motor as later models. While not quite as small as the Baby Nieuport (Type 11), it was the smallest practical airplane that the Nieuport Company produced, and it was probably the most difficult plane to land. It was used extensively at the Front in 1916, but proved to be almost too delicate. Consequently, American pilots believed that when a student had mastered this plane, he could feel confident of his ability to master any other type that might be assigned to him.
On Field 5 instruction was given in taxying, taking off, and landing. Due to its small wing spread and short body, the 15-meter Nieuport landed very fast and was difficult to handle on the ground. The landing class always offered a good deal of excitement to the spectator and caused much trepidation in the hearts of newly arrived pilots. It was a far cry from a JN-4 to a 15-meter Nieuport. With a JN-4, to level off too far from the ground meant usually a disagreeable pancake and something of a shock; to level off a 15-meter Nieuport too far from the ground meant a crashed plane and a chance of serious physical injury.
Top Speed: 110 m.p.h.
Manufacturer: Nieuport
Year: 1916
Engine: 110 h.p. Le Rhone 9-cylinder rotary
Wingspan: 26 feet 10 inches
Weight: 1,246 lb.
Armament: 1 machine gun