France - 1916 - 1917 More Nieuport-17

Three French Nieuport-17

I have been working on getting my archive of Nieuport aircraft rebuilt. Hopefully I will have the new master files for the different types finished and I can start fleshing out neglected areas in my collection. Slowly but surely I get closer to where I was before the big crash ate my homework. When I first started my website I was happy with a single profile to give a glimpse into the evolution of aircraft design. Now I seem to be consumed with depth of content. I have passed the 1300 profile mark and the project keeps growing.

Today's post is a small sample of the weekend's work. My recent excursion into post world war one aircraft is moved to a back burner as I get back to basics. I have so many irons in the fire I need to focus a bit more on the main topic of my site. I will still be posting profiles from the Greco-Turkish War and the Polish-Russian conflict. I just need to get back to my roots.

Escadrille N3 Les Cigognes

Nieuport-17 C1 René Dorme “Pere Dorme 3” Escadrille N3 1916

This plane was flown by René Dorme (23 victories) when serving in Escadrille N3 escadrille “des Cigognes” (“The Storks”). The aircraft is finished in the typical aluminum varnish mix used at the time. The legend painted on the forward section reads “Pere Dorme 3”. The all red stork was used as the unit insignia between October 1916 through April 1917. On the top of the fuselage just behind the head rest is a stylized green “Croix Lorraine” (“Cross Lorraine”). The red number 12 is unusual in that it was not painted to align with the center line when the plane is in flight.

Escadrille N15 Casque de Bayard

Nieuport 17 Slt. Fernando Chevillon, Escadrille N15, “DEDETTE III” sn 7 N2054 1917

“Casque de Bayard” translates as “helmet of Bayard” (a famous french Knight of the 16th Century), was used as the insigna of the Escadrille N15. The black version appears on several Nieuports flown by the 15^th Escadrille during 1917. Several variants were used including white and red versions.The name “DEDETTE III” is painted on the forward fuselage. This is the third aircraft Chevillon named Dedette. Some sources show the serial number as N2038. I may have to change the profile to reflect this.

Escadrille N31 Les Archer Grec

Nieuport-17, Pilot Unknown, Escadrille N31, sn 25, 2254- 1917

Escadrille N31 (Founded in September of 1914.) was called “Escadrille l' archer grec” which translates as “Squadron of the Greek Archer”. The escadrille fielded Nieuport 17 between February through April of 1917. The insignia variant used did not have a colored field or solid circle often seen. While this plane is well known. none of the sources I have seen have any information on who piloted number 25.

References

1. The Blueprints.com http://www.the-blueprints.com/
2. Wings Palette http://wp.scn.ru/en/
3. L'escadrille SPA 3: http://albindenis.free.fr/Site_escadrille/escadrille003.htm
4. L'escadrille SPA 15: http://albindenis.free.fr/Site_escadrille/escadrille015.htm
5. L'escadrille_31:http://albindenis.free.fr/Site_escadrille/escadrille031.htm
6. Michel and Guy Vaugeois History of the 7th fighter Wing SHAA 1989
7. From Wikipedia Nieuport 17, "From Wikipedia Nieuport 17"
8. Bruce, Jack. "Those Classic Nieuports". Air Enthusiast Quarterly. Number Two, 1976. Bromley, UK:Pilot Press. pp. 137-153.
9. Cheesman E.F., ed. "Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918" War. Letchworth, UK: Harleyford Publications, 1960.
10. Cooksley, Peter. "Nieuport Fighters in Action". Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1997. ISBN 0-89747-377-9.