Nieuport |
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Type 28
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Photo: Robert Deering 10/23/2006
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Chantilly, Virginia |
The
French-built Nieuport 28 became the first fighter airplane
flown in combat by pilots of the American Expeditionary
Force (AEF) in World War I. On April 14, 1918, resulted in
two victories when Lts. Alan Winslow and Douglas Campbell of
the 94th Aero Squadron each downed an enemy aircraft -- the
first victories by an AEF unit.
The lightly built Nieuport 28
developed a reputation for shedding its upper wing fabric in
a dive, and by the spring of 1918, many considered the
Nieuport 28 obsolete. Even so, American pilots maintained a
favorable ratio of victories to losses with it. Many
American aces of WWI, including 26-victory ace Capt. Eddie
Rickenbacker, flew the Nieuport at one time or another in
their careers. The less maneuverable, but faster and
sturdier, SPAD XIII began replacing the Nieuport 28 in March
1918.
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Photo:
Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of
the USAF Wright-Patterson AFB (FFO)
Dayton, Ohio |
Photo: Robert Deering 4/18/2015 National Museum of Naval
Aviation NAS Pensacols (NPA) Pensacola, Florida |
Photo: Robert Deering 9/3/2011
Museum of Flight King County
International Airport (BFI)
Seattle, Washington |
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SPECIFICATIONS: |
PERFORMANCE:
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Span:
26 ft. 3
in.
Length:
24 ft. 4
in.
Height:
8 ft. Empty Weight:
Gross Weight:
1,625 lbs. loaded
Crew:
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Maximum
speed:
122 mph
Cruising
speed:
Range:
180 miles
Service
ceiling:
17,000
ft.
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Engines:
Gnome N-9 rotary of 160 hp
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Armament:
Two Vickers .303-cal. machine guns
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SOURCE:
National Museum of the United States Air Force |
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