NIEUPORT 17 FRENCH WWI FIGHTER

The Nieuport 17 is a French mixed-construction fighter from the First World War. The flight of the prototype took place in January 1916, and the machine entered service two months later. Le Rhone 9J engine with 110 HP was used as the drive. He was the successor of the Nieuport 11 aircraft and had great performance for its time, especially its rate of climb. At the same time, however, due to the delicacy of the structure and low overall strength of the airframe, the plane was difficult to pilot and rather "did not forgive" the pilot's mistakes. It was produced on a large scale and remained the main fighter of the French Army until the end of World War I. Many Allied fighter aces flew on it, including Billy Bishop or Albert Ball. Technical data: length: 5.8 m, wingspan: 8.16 m, height: 2.4 m, maximum speed: 177 km / h, rate of climb: 4.3 m / s, maximum ceiling 5300 m, armament: fixed - 1 Vickers machine gun or Lewis, suspended-to 8 Le Prieur missiles.