Nieuport
| Company type | Société Anonyme |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1902 |
| Founder | Édouard Nieuport |
| Fate | Merged with Loire Aviation to form Loire-Nieuport; eventually part of Aérospatiale |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Key people | Gustave Delage (chief designer) |
| Products | Aircraft, aircraft engines, ignition systems, propellers |
Nieuport, which later became known as Nieuport-Delage, was a French aircraft manufacturer recognized for its pre-World War I racing planes and fighter aircraft produced during and between the world wars.
Origins
The company began in 1902 under the name Nieuport-Duplex, initially specializing in engine parts production. In 1909, it was reorganized as the Société Générale d'Aéro-locomotion, shifting focus towards aviation by manufacturing components such as ignition systems. That same year, they constructed their first aircraft—a single-seat pod and boom monoplane—which was destroyed during the 1909 Great Flood of Paris. Later in 1909, a second model took flight, showcasing an enclosed fuselage design and a horizontal tailplane positioned below to counterbalance the engine's weight.
Due to difficulties obtaining engines, Nieuport began designing its own powerplants; by 1910, their 28 hp twin-cylinder horizontally opposed engine powered the Nieuport II successfully.
In 1911, the enterprise concentrated exclusively on aircraft manufacturing under the title Nieuport et Deplante, while still producing components like propellers. After founder Édouard Nieuport died that year, financier Henri Deutsch de la Meurthe assumed control, renaming the firm Société Anonyme des Établissements Nieuport and further developing existing aircraft designs. Following Charles Nieuport's fatal crash in 1913, Swiss engineer Franz Schneider was appointed chief designer. Schneider, who later became known for his machine gun synchronization patents, departed from Nieuport by the end of 1913.
Gustave Delage and the First World War
After Schneider left, Gustave Delage took over as chief designer in January 1914.[1] He created a sesquiplane racer—characterized by a smaller lower wing—that evolved into the Nieuport 10, which saw widespread use with the Royal Naval Air Service (R.N.A.S.), as well as French and Russian air forces.[2] The Nieuport 11, a more compact fighter derived from the Nieuport 10, became one of their most significant models.[3]
Up until late 1917, Nieuport concentrated on iterative enhancements of this design by increasing engine output and refining aerodynamics, culminating with the Nieuport 27. However, the increased horsepower revealed structural weaknesses in the sesquiplane wing configuration, forcing pilots to avoid prolonged dives to prevent wing failure. By spring 1917, twin-gun fighters such as the Albatros D.III surpassed it in performance, although Nieuport 27s remained active at the front lines through spring 1918. From 1917 onward, production largely shifted toward training aircraft for both French and American flight schools.
Renowned aces like Albert Ball and Charles Nungesser preferred Nieuports for their agility.[4] Early victories were also achieved by pilots including Eddie Rickenbacker and Billy Bishop flying these aircraft.[5]
The Nieuport 28, distinguished by two spars on each wing, represented a design shift but arrived after France had adopted the SPAD S.XIII. Due to shortages of SPAD aircraft and engine problems, the United States Army Air Service (USAAS) briefly employed the Nieuport 28 operationally—the first American fighter squadron to do so.[6]
Numerous international licenses were granted for Nieuport designs. In Italy, Aermacchi originated as Nieuport-Macchi and produced models such as the Nieuport IV, 10, 11, 17, and postwar NiD.29.[7][8] Russian manufacturers like Dux built various types including IV, 10, 11, and 24bis,[9] with some continuing production after the Revolution. In Scotland, William Beardmore and Company constructed licensed versions of Nieuport 12s with modifications. Meanwhile in England, Nieuport & General Aircraft produced fifty Nieuport 17bis fighters for the R.N.A.S. before changing its focus.
A remarkable postwar incident involved pilot Charles Godefroy, who on August 8, 1919, flew a "v-strut" Nieuport fighter through Paris’s Arc de Triomphe as an act of protest against military parade restrictions.[10] This daring flight was captured on film.[11]
Post–World War I Developments
By late 1918, Nieuport had launched two advanced fighter models: the Nieuport 29 biplane and the Nieuport 31 monoplane, both derivatives of the Nieuport 28. These aircraft incorporated sleek wooden monocoque fuselages paired with Hispano-Suiza powerplants. Enhanced variations of the 29 and 31 achieved notable speed and altitude milestones; in particular, the 31, piloted by Joseph Sadi-Lecointe, became the first plane to surpass 300 km/h in level flight.
During this era, Nieuport transitioned to Nieuport-Astra following its acquisition of Société Astra, a firm specializing in aerostats. This name was soon replaced by Nieuport-Delage to honor chief designer Gustave Delage. Additionally, the seaplane manufacturer Tellier was briefly integrated, resulting in a temporary rebranding as Nieuport-Tellier.
While the 29 and 31 models brought success, Delage concentrated on creating a new design that would serve as the foundation for a series of aircraft utilized up until France’s defeat in World War II—the Nieuport-Delage NiD.42. Initially introduced as a shoulder-wing racer (42S), it evolved into single-seat (42 C.1) and two-seat (42 C.2) fighters for the French Air Force, although none entered active combat. The Nieuport-Delage 52, an upgraded NiD.42 featuring a metal monocoque fuselage, was adopted by Spain where it was produced under license by Hispano-Suiza. It remained in use through the Spanish Civil War until it became obsolete. France procured large quantities of the 62 series (including models 620, 621, 622, and 629), derivatives of the NiD.42 design, which equipped most French fighter squadrons until being phased out in the late 1930s. Despite their outdated status, some continued to serve in secondary French units during the 1940 invasion.
The Nieuport-Delage NiD 38 and its counterpart NiD 39 were compact airliners with production exceeding thirty-seven units. Other models were mostly unique prototypes or had limited production runs.
Conclusion of Nieuport
The final stages of Nieuport’s aircraft development occurred under successor organizations. In 1932, amid consolidations within the French aerospace sector, Gustave Delage retired; shortly thereafter, Nieuport-Delage briefly reverted to simply Nieuport before merging with Loire Aviation to establish Loire-Nieuport. This company later amalgamated into SNCAO, which eventually became part of the aerospace giant Aérospatiale.
During the German invasion of 1940, company archives were deliberately destroyed to avoid enemy capture. Despite this, several staff members faced accusations of espionage as the last operational aircraft—the Loire-Nieuport LN.401, a single-seat monoplane dive bomber featuring retractable landing gear and an inverted gull wing reminiscent of the Junkers Ju 87—was active at that time.
Produced Aircraft
For later three-digit designations (with exceptions such as NiD 120 and LN.160), the third digit denotes sub-variants; a zero indicates the base model (for example, models 640 and 64 are equivalent).
- Nieuport I – retroactively named pod-and-boom tractor monoplane destroyed after its inaugural flight.
- Nieuport II – single-seat racing/sport monoplane powered by various engines.
- Nieuport III – two-seat racing/sport monoplane equipped with an Anzani engine.
- Nieuport IV – two-seat sport/racing monoplane.
- Nieuport VI – three-seat sport monoplane employed by both French Navy and the Royal Naval Air Service.
- Nieuport VIII – two-seat sport aircraft variant of VI operated by Turkey.
- Nieuport X – three-seat monoplane similar to VI used by French naval forces.
- Nieuport XI – prototype single-seat sport monoplane resembling model II.
- Nieuport XII – prototype armored monoplane akin to model X.
- Nieuport-Dunne – licensed-built tailless biplane with local adaptations.
- Nieuport Carton-Pate – military twin-boom sesquiplane pusher floatplane.
- Nieuport 9 – Russian designation for locally manufactured single-seat Nieuport 10.
- Nieuport 10 – sesquiplane multi-role aircraft unrelated to monoplane Nieuport X.
- Nieuport 83 – trainer version of model 10 fitted with an 80-hp Le Rhône engine.
- Nieuport 11 – sesquiplane fighter; Nieuport’s first purpose-designed fighter aircraft.
- Nieuport 12 – two-seat artillery spotting sesquiplane derived from model 10.
- Nieuport 80 and 81 – training variants of model 12 powered by 80-hp engines.
- Nieuport 12bis – extensively revised two-seat artillery observation sesquiplane.
- Nieuport 13 – extended wing development based on model 12.
- Nieuport 14 – two-seat reconnaissance sesquiplane.
- Nieuport 82 – trainer version of model 14 with an 80-hp engine.
- Nieuport 15 – enlarged sesquiplane bomber evolved from model 14.
- Nieuport 16 – fighter variant; reinforced model 11 powered by a 110 hp Le Rhône 9J engine.
- Nieuport 17 – larger and refined evolution of model 16 fighter.
- Nieuport 17bis – streamlined version of model 17 using Clerget engines; limited British deployment.
- Nieuport 18 – twin-engine sesquiplane bomber; related variant Nieuport 19 remained incomplete.
- Nieuport 20 – derivative development of model 12.
- Nieuport 21 – lightweight fighter based on model 17 but with reduced engine power.
- Nieuport 23 – advancement on model 17 featuring offset Vickers machine gun placement.
- Nieuport 24 – refined iteration of model 17 incorporating faired fuselage and redesigned tail assembly.
- Nieuport 24bis – variation of model 24 retaining original rudder and tail surfaces.
- Nieuport 25 – variant of model 24 equipped with larger Clerget engine; limited output.
- Nieuport 26 – Hispano-Suiza-powered prototype developed from model 24.
- Nieuport 27 – enhanced version of model 24; penultimate vee-strut configuration produced by Nieuport.
- Nieuport 28 – biplane fighter utilized by American Expeditionary Forces Air Service during WWI.
- Nieuport Madon – monoplane fighter that evolved into series including type 31 and sesquiplanes.
- Nieuport-Delage NiD29 – widely deployed post-WWI biplane fighter.
- NiD30T – large single-engine biplane airliner adapted from bomber design.
- NiD31/31Rh – Le Rhone-powered monoplane/sesquiplane fighter prototype introduced in1919.
- NiD32/32M/32Rh – naval rotary-engine variant derived from NiD29 fighter.
- Nieuport-Delage NiD33 – trainer based on NiD29 with some units exported to Japan.
- Nieuport-Delage NiD37 – racing sesquiplane and fighter entered in the1922 Coupe Deutsch de la Meurthe race.
- NiD38/NiD39 – single-engine biplane cabin airliners differing mainly in powerplants used.
- Nieuport-Delage NiD40 – high-altitude adaptation within the NiD29 fighter-bomber lineage.
- NiD41 Sesquiplan – monoplane racer that set multiple speed records during its era.
- NiD42 – sesquiplane fighter prototype that led to a series including NiD52 and NiD62; initially designed as a parasol monoplane.
- NiD42S– shoulder-wing racing monoplane evolved from the sesquiplan concept.
- NiD43– floatplane fighter variant derived from NiD42 design.
- NiD44, NiD46, and other variants featured alternative engines or configurations based on NiD42 architecture.
- NiD450 & NiD650– monoplane floatplane racers built for competing in Schneider Trophy contests.
- NiD48– downsized sesquiplane fighter developed for France’s "Jockey" lightweight fighter program.
- NiD50 HB.4 – abandoned twin-engine floatplane torpedo bomber project never reaching production stage.
- NiD52 – sesquiplane fighter derived from NiD42 design; operated notably by Spain among others.
- NiD540, NiD580, and related variants served as high-wing monoplanes for transport or reconnaissance roles.
- NiD62 – extensively produced French sesquiplane fighter during interwar years forming backbone of many squadrons.
- NiD64 series (640 &641) – large single-engine monoplanes characterized by elliptical wing designs aimed at civil aviation markets.
- NiD72 – all-metal sesquiplane fighter variant within the NiD62 family emphasizing structural durability.
- NiD740 – trimotor long-range mailplane prototype developed under government contract specifications.
Loire-Nieuport contributions included:
- LN.10 twin-engine patrol floatplane,
- LN.30 single-engine pusher training flying boat,
- LN.40 single-engine dive bomber,
- LN.160 single-engine fighter that evolved into SNCAO200.
Several First World War prototypes remain poorly documented, including variations on models such as Nieuports24/27 alongside triplanes based on types like Nieuports10,17, and17bis which incorporated structural innovations including wooden monocoque fuselages.
Some Tellier flying boats were produced under Nieuport branding:
- Tellier T.5 marketed as Nieuort BM., a twin-engine patrol flying boat,
- Tellier T.6 designated as Nieuort S., a single-engine patrol flying boat,
- Tellier T.8 known as Nieuxort TM., a trimotor patrol flying boat,
- Tellier Vonna labeled as Nieuxaport4R., an unfinished four-engine transatlantic flying boat project.
During WWI, some Nieuxports were classified according to wing area (measured in square meters) rather than official type numbers:
- The "18-meter" group included models such as Nieuxports10 and83,
- "13-meter" category comprised models like Nieuxports11 and16,
- "23-meter" encompassed types12,12bis,20,80,and81,
- "15-meter" covered fighters including types17,17bis,21,23,24,24bis,and27.
Surviving Examples
External links
- ↑ Munson P.152
- ↑ Cheesman p.90
- ↑ Cheesman p. 92
- ↑ Cheesman 1960
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Treadwell p. 74
- ↑ Apostolo p. 7
- ↑ Apostolo p. 41
- ↑ Durkota p.358
- ↑ * « Un aviateur passe en avion sous l'Arc de Triomphe », Le Matin from 1919/08/08, p.1.
- « Un avion passe sous l'Arc de Triomphe », L'Écho de Paris from 1919/08/08.
- « L'Acte insensé d'un aviateur », par Raoul Alexandre, L'Humanité from 1919/08/08.
- « Un avion, ce matin, est passé sous l'Arc de Triomphe », par Paul Cartoux, L'Intransigeant from 1919/08/08.
- « Aéronautique : l'inutile exploit du sergent Godefroy », Le Temps from 1919/08/09.
- ↑ Exploits de l'Aviation - Charles Godefroy (contains footage of the flight)