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Nieuport 12

1915 WORLD WAR 1

Newport 12 History

Air superiority became the back and forth of air service involved in the First World War (1914-1915), which opened up the field of military aviation for many companies, leaving their mark on history. The famous French group Nieuport became an important player in the war, launching its first dedicated fighter with the Nieuport 11 'Bebe' in 1915.

The Bebe originated in the early 1914 Nieuport 10, both aircraft designed by Gustave Delage for the French's successful wartime career.

While the single-seat Nieuport 10 spawned the popular single-seat Nieuport 11 model, it also formed the basis of a new production brand for the two-seat Nieuport 12 - envisioned as an artillery reconnaissance platform and combat scout before ending her Coach day. The "Model 12" essentially became a larger version of the Model 10 with a new engine. It followed the typical biplane design of the time, with front-engine driven twin-blade propellers, upper and lower wing assemblies, and a traditional single-tail fin.

There were two crew members seated under the main upper wing, with the pilot and tail gunner/observer behind the structure. A consistent physical design quality of these early Delage aircraft was the use of "V-pillars" between the upper and lower wingspans.

The landing gear has wheels and a simple tail attached under the central mass. Power can be supplied by a Clerget or Le Rhone engine, producing 110 to 130 hp depending on the installation.

As an armed reconnaissance aircraft, the Newport 12 was armed with a .303 Lewis machine gun in the rear cockpit. The weapon is mounted on a Nieuport/Scraff ring so it can be trained against enemy threats from areas behind the aircraft's vulnerable rear.

A second Lewis gun was sometimes mounted above the upper wing element and within the reach of the tail gunner - allowing a frontal offensive "strike".

The Nieuport 12 series was manufactured in several countries throughout its life cycle, but mainly in France and England (via Beardmore) during the war years. British model with Scarff system and . 303 Vickers for the pilot.

Newport 12A. 2 became the main fighter reconnaissance brand, they were powered by the French Clerget 9Z or Le Rhone 9J series 110 hp engines. The Nieuport 12bis C. 2 followed with a more powerful 130 hp Clerget 9B, as well as some aerodynamic improvements. The Type 12, produced by Beardmore, England, has evolved with several modifications to the French design to better meet the needs of British air service, although the powerplant remains the same.

The Nieuport 20 was a pure RFC model with a 110 hp Le Rhone 9J - 21 prototypes were produced, and its early form was largely based on the original French 12bis C.2 form.

Over time, the Nieuport 12 also proved adequate as a trainer (although its two-seat configuration benefited from this), as did the Nieuport 80E. 2 and 81E. 2 Production meets requirements. The brand's gun ring was removed and power came from an 80 hp Le Rhone 9C. The two names distinguish the cockpit control scheme - 80E.

2 is a form of dual controls (controls in both cockpits), the 81st E2 contains only controls in the rear cockpit.

In addition to these operational characteristics, there are some limited production forms such as the "Nieuport 13" - a pair of prototypes with extended wing elements and different engine internals. "Sipowicz 1" is an experimental Polish variant with improved wing structural units. The Japanese operated as many as 57 locally built Nieuport 80Es. 2 trainers named "Army Type Ko 1 Trainer" - these are made by Mitsubishi - further enhancing their batch of 40 81E.

2s delivered by Nieuport.

Other operators are Argentina (Navy), Belgium, Chile (just an example), Estonia (post-war), Greece (Navy), Portugal, Romania, Russian Empire/Soviet Union, Serbia, Thailand (as Siam, just An example) and the United States (American Expeditionary Force - AEF).