View source for Nieuport 17

{{Short description|French WW1 fighter aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
 |name = Nieuport 17
 |image = Nieuport 23 C.1.jpg
 |caption =
 |type = Fighter
 |manufacturer = [[Nieuport]]
 |national_origin = [[France]]
 |designer =
 |first_flight = January 1916
 |introduction = March 1916
 |retired =
 |status = Retired
 |primary_user = {{lang|fr|[[History of the Armée de l'Air (1909-1942)|Aéronautique Militaire]]}}
 |more_users = [[Imperial Russian Air Service]]<br>[[Royal Flying Corps]]
 |produced =
 |number_built = {{circa|3,600}}
 |unit cost =
 |developed_from = [[Nieuport 11]]
 |variants = [[Nieuport 17bis]], [[Nieuport 21]]
}}
The '''Nieuport 17 C.1''' (or '''Nieuport XVII C.1''' in contemporary sources) is a French [[sesquiplane]] [[fighter aircraft|fighter]] designed and manufactured by the [[Nieuport]] company during [[World War I]]. An improvement over the [[Nieuport 11]], it was a little larger than earlier Nieuports and better adapted to the more powerful engine than the interim [[Nieuport 16]]. Aside from early examples, it had the new [[Synchronization gear#The Alkan-Hamy gear|Alkan-Hamy synchronization gear]], permitting the use of a fuselage-mounted synchronised [[Vickers gun]] firing through the propeller disc.

At the time of its introduction in March 1916, the type's outstanding manoeuvrability and excellent rate of climb gave it a significant advantage over fighters on both sides and was described as "the best pursuit plane of the day".<ref name=Davilla383/><ref>Christienne, 1986, p.99</ref> It was used by many operators and entered service with every Allied power and copies were also operated by the {{lang|de|[[Deutsche Luftstreitkräfte]]}} (German Air Service). Mass-produced by several French firms, the Nieuport 17 and its derivatives were built [[Licenced production|under licence]] in Italy by [[Aermacchi|Nieuport-Macchi]] and in Russia by [[Dux Factory|Dux]]. Unlicensed copies, notably the [[Siemens-Schuckert D.I]] and the [[Euler D.I]], were produced in Germany.

The Nieuport 21 and 23 represented relatively minor alterations. Aerodynamic refinement led to the Clerget-powered [[Nieuport 17bis|17bis]]. More powerful versions of the Le Rhône [[rotary engine]]s with detail improvements resulted in the [[Nieuport 24|Nieuport 24, 24bis]] and [[Nieuport 27|27]].

==Development==
===Origins===
When Gustave Delage was appointed as the chief designer of [[Nieuport]], in January 1914, a series of sesquiplane designs followed. Nieuport had been famous for wire-braced [[monoplane]]s and these had reached the limit of their development. The sesquiplane configuration was adopted by Delage as a compromise between the low drag of a monoplane and the greater strength of a [[biplane]]. The first of Delage's sesquiplanes was the two-seat [[Nieuport 10]] of 1914, which was followed the next year by the smaller Nieuport 11 single-seater, which in turn was supplemented by the Nieuport 16. The larger engine of the latter aircraft made it nose heavy and increased the wing loading, especially when armed with a synchronised Vickers gun.

Developed in parallel with the conservative Nieuport 16, the Nieuport 17 was slightly larger with longer wings and fuselage, improved aerodynamic form and better balance.<ref>Chassard, 2018, p.1</ref> It was fitted with the {{cvt|110|hp}} [[Le Rhône 9J]] engine and later examples used {{cvt|120|hp}} motors.<ref name=Davilla379>Davilla, 1997, p.379</ref>

===Design===
[[File:Alkan-Hamy gear in Nieuport.jpg|thumb|The Alkan-Hamy [[synchronization gear]] installed in a Nieuport 17]]
[[File:Early Nieuport 17 at Le Bourget on 18 July 1916 making demonstration flight for British delegation (cropped).jpg|thumb|Early Nieuport 17 in July 1916 with Lewis gun and a ''cône de penetration'']]
 
The upper wings of the Nieuport sesquiplanes used a typical structure for the period, with widely spaced spars connected with full chord ribs and compression ribs, cross-braced internally with wire and by riblets on the leading edge. The lower wing's single spar was directly below the rear spar of the upper wing and was braced with a characteristic Vee strut.<ref name=Sanger46/> The ribs, composed of ash flanges and limewood webs, featured cut-outs to lighten them.<ref name=Sanger46/> [[Aileron]]s were fitted on the top wing only and had increased chord towards the wingtips for improved stall response. They were actuated by a pair of push-pull rods that connected torque tubes running to the ailerons to the control column in the cockpit.<ref name=Sanger47>Sanger, 2002, p.47</ref> The [[Tailplane|horizontal stabilizer]], [[elevator]] and [[rudder]] were built up from welded {{cvt|20|mm}} diameter steel tube and controls for these were provided via conventional cables and pulleys.<ref name=Sanger47/> The angle of incidence on the wings could be adjusted by ground crew via a single pivot joint arrangement, which was originally intended to allow the lower wing to be rotated for low speed flight on the [[Nieuport 10]], but was never used. No adjustment was provided for the tailplane.

Quite apart from the improvement in the pilot's downward view, there were aerodynamic gains from the reduction in area of the lower wing, which on a biplane produces far less lift than the upper wing, yet causes considerable drag. This helped give sesquiplanes a superior climb rate. Unfortunately at very high speeds (at what would now be termed its [[Vne|V<sub>NE</sub>]], or "velocity, never exceed") the lower wing was prone to [[Aeroelasticity#Divergence|flutter]], an aerodynamic phenomenon not fully understood at the time.<ref name="Hodges">Hodges, D. H. and Pierce, A., ''Introduction to Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity'', Cambridge, 2002, {{ISBN|978-0-521-80698-5}}.</ref> The single spar was behind the centre of lift, which at high speeds could cause the lower wing to twist, increasing the angle of attack until the wing stalled, at which point it would return to its normal position, repeating until the wing snapped or the pilot slowed the aircraft.

British Nieuports were modified at No 2 Aeroplane Supply Depot to alleviate this problem.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/collections/artifacts/aircraft/Nieuport17.shtml |title=Nieuport 17 |website=Canada Aviation and Space Museum |access-date=16 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061010030605/http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/collections/artifacts/aircraft/Nieuport17.shtml |archive-date=10 October 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Late in French service, some N.17s had their lower wings replaced with spares intended for the newer Nieuport 24.

The fuselage of the 17 was built around four [[ash (tree)|ash]] [[Stringer (aircraft)|longerons]] which tapered from the rectangular sheet steel engine mounting to the rudder post, with the upper longerons bowed around the cockpit, giving most of the fuselage a trapezoid cross section. This was braced with spruce struts held with diagonal bracing wires and steel plate joints.<ref name=Sanger46>Sanger, 2002, p.46</ref> The sides and top of the forward fuselage were covered in light molded plywood panels while the rear fuselage sides were covered in fabric. Behind the pilot was a headrest, molded into the plywood top decking, which was supported by longitudinal stringers.<ref name=Sanger46/> The cowling was made of aluminium, had strengthening ribs and a pair of inset holes to provide ventilation and egress of the engine exhaust underneath. It was faired with the forward fuselage via molded side pieces.<ref name=Sanger46/> A {{lang|fr|cône de penetration}} ({{lang|fr|casserole de helice}}), resembling a spinner that didn't spin, was bolted to the front of the stationary engine crankshaft on some early examples but was generally dispensed with on later machines<ref>Sanger, 2002, pp.46-47</ref>

[[File:Lt. de Richemont's camouflaged Nieuport 17 with le Prieur rocket rails at Toul on 19 July, 1916 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Early camouflaged Nieuport 17 fitted with over-wing gun and Le Prieur rocket tubes]]

Production of the new [[Synchronization gear#The Alkan-Hamy gear|Alkan-Hamy synchronization gear]] permitted the wing-mounted [[Lewis gun]] on the earliest examples to be replaced with a synchronised [[Vickers gun]] mounted on the fuselage to fire through the propeller arc.<ref name=Davilla379/> The standard [[Royal Flying Corps]] synchroniser, the [[Synchronization gear#The Vickers-Challenger gear|Vickers-Challenger gear]], was unreliable and unpopular with pilots, so that in British service the over-wing Lewis gun was retained. The Lewis gun was fitted to the new [[Foster mounting]], a curved metal rail which allowed the pilot to slide the gun back to change ammunition drums and to clear jams. Pilots could also aim the gun upwards to shoot into the underside of aircraft above which was used to good effect by several ace pilots.<ref name=Sanger48>Sanger, 2002, p.48</ref>

===Derivatives===
[[File:Nieuport 21.jpg|thumb|Russian Nieuport 21 armed with a [[Hotchkiss M1909]] machine gun]]
Entering service in May 1916 but not named until September, the '''[[Nieuport 21]]''' differed from the 17 primarily in the adoption of the lower powered {{convert|80|hp|abbr=on}} [[Le Rhône 9C]] or {{convert|90|hp|abbr=on}} Le Rhône 9Ga engine.<ref>Bruce, 1993, pp. 9-10</ref> This increased endurance and reduced wing loading and was useful for a high-altitude bomber escort but it was rarely employed as such.<ref>Bruce, 1993, p.10</ref> In French and especially Russian service, the 21 was commonly used with the Nieuport 17 in the same general fighter role,<ref name=Davilla388>Davilla 1997, p.388</ref> although it was also useful as an advanced trainer. The 21 has commonly been mistaken for the earlier Nieuport 11, as both lacked headrests and used the same cowling and engines, particularly when some Nieuport 11s were also fitted with molded fuselage sides. Like the 17, the 21 is larger and can be identified by the flying wires, which restrain the upper wings.<ref>Bruce, 1988, p.36</ref> On the 11 the flying wires merged to a single point, while on the 21 they ran parallel to different points on the lower fuselage.

The '''Nieuport 23''' was largely the same as the definitive 17, differing mainly in the use of a different machine gun synchronizer. The gun was offset to starboard, the fuel and oil tank arrangement and the center section rigging were changed to suit. Nieuport 23s were operated by both French and British squadrons alongside Nieuport 17s until their replacement by the later [[Nieuport 24|Nieuport 24, 24bis]] and [[Nieuport 27|27]].<ref name="Davilla390">Davilla 1997, p.390</ref>

[[File:Nieuport 17 triplane A6686.jpg|thumb|Nieuport 17 triplane undergoing evaluation]]
The more powerful {{cvt|130|hp|kW}} [[Clerget 9B]] nine-cylinder rotary engine was used by the '''[[Nieuport 17bis]]''', which first appeared late in 1916.<ref>Bruce, 1988, p.33</ref> The N.17bis had stringers fairing out the fuselage sides compared to the flat sides on the 17. The major user was the British [[Royal Naval Air Service]], which ordered 32 from Nieuport, 50 more being licence-built by the [[Nieuport & General Aircraft]] Company. Heavier than the preferred Le Rhône, output from the Clerget rotaries quickly fell below their rated power and the performance of the 17bis suffered accordingly. Armament often included a synchronised Vickers gun with the standard over-wing Lewis.<ref>Bruce 1976, pp.149–153</ref>

Related to the 17bis, the '''[[Nieuport 23bis]]''' combined the aerodynamic improvements of the 17bis but reverted to the Le Rhône. Few were built and the Royal Naval Air Service may have been the sole operator.<ref>Knight, 2007 p.148</ref>

A pair of [[triplane]]s based on the Nieuport 17 were constructed for testing purposes, one for the French and the other for the British. The narrow chord wings were staggered in an unusual manner, placing the middle wing furthest forward and the top wing furthest aft.<ref name=Davilla370>Davilla 1997, p.370</ref> No subsequent orders came as a result of these tests. Nieuport later trialled the same layout on the Nieuport 17bis, which was tested by the British Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service as well, however this also remained a prototype.<ref name=Davilla370/> During flight testing, both types demonstrated favourable climbing characteristics, but were also found to be relatively tail-heavy.<ref name=sangerp52-54>Sanger 2002, pp.52–54</ref>

Several of the experimental [[Berliner Helicopter]]s, named after their German-American inventor [[Emile Berliner]], were manufactured around Nieuport 23 fuselages, including the 1922 and 1923 versions.

==Operational history==
[[File:Nieuport 17 fighter 1A1182101XXXVII017 (15204900430).jpg|thumb|Nieuport 17 flown by [[René Dorme]] while with escadrille N.3 during the [[battle of the Somme]], late 1916]]
[[File:RFC Nieuport 23 in 1917.jpg|thumb|RFC Nieuport 23 in 1917]]
During March 1916, the new Nieuport 17 reached the front to begin replacing the earlier Nieuport 11 and 16 fighters that had been instrumental in ending the [[Fokker Scourge]] of 1915. On 2 May 1916, Escadrille N.57 became the first unit entirely equipped with the new model. During the late 1916 and into 1917, the Nieuport 17 equipped every fighter squadron of the {{lang|fr|Aéronautique Militaire}}.<ref name=Davilla383>Davilla 1997, p.383</ref> Almost all of the top French aces flew the nimble Nieuport during their flying careers, including [[Georges Guynemer]], [[Charles Nungesser]], [[Maurice Boyau]], [[Armand Pinsard]] and [[René Dorme]].<ref>Franks, 2000, pp.43-64</ref>

American volunteers of the {{lang|fr|[[Lafayette Escadrille|Escadrille Lafayette]]}}, converted to the Nieuport 17 from Nieuport 11s and 16s, although only one achieved ace status, [[Raoul Lufberry]].<ref>Franks, 2000, pp.64-67</ref>

The Nieuport 17 was ordered by the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service as it was markedly superior to British fighters.<ref name=andy8>Andrews 1966, p.8</ref> RFC squadrons that used Nieuport 17s and 23s as their main equipment included 1, 11, 29, 40 and 60 squadrons while 1, 3 and 4 Wings of the Royal Naval Air Service operated the 17 and the 17bis.<ref name=Davilla385386>Davilla 1997, pp.385-386</ref><ref name=Davilla385/> Additional units in both services also had small numbers on strength.

[[File:Italian Nieuport Ni.17 lineup.jpg|thumb|Lineup of Italian Nieuport-Macchi 17s]]
[[File:Twenty-six aeroplanes in line for inspection, aviation field, Issoudon, France., 04-1918 - NARA - 530721.tif|thumb|Nieuport 23 trainers at [[Issoudun Aerodrome]], France]]
Many British Empire [[Flying ace|air aces]] flew Nieuport fighters, including the top [[Canadians|Canadian]] ace [[Billy Bishop]], [[Victoria Cross|V.C.]] and [[Albert Ball]], V.C. who often hunted alone in his Nieuport.<ref>Andrews 1966, pp.9-10</ref> [[Mick Mannock]] V.C. flew Nieuports early in his career with 40 Squadron. His VC award reflected his combat career – including his time on Nieuports. The top-scoring Nieuport ace was Captain [[Phillip Fletcher Fullard]] of [[No. 1 Squadron RFC]], who scored 40 kills between May and October 1917, before breaking his leg in a football match.

Italian aces, such as [[Francesco Baracca]], [[Silvio Scaroni]] and [[Pier Piccio]], achieved victories while flying Nieuport fighters. In Belgium, the 1st and 5th Belgian {{lang|fr|escadrilles}} were equipped with the Nieuport 17 and 23. Belgian aces flying the type included [[Andre de Meulemeester]], [[Edmond Thieffry]] and [[Jan Olieslagers]].<ref name=andy12>Andrews 1966, p.12</ref>

The [[Imperial Russian Air Service]] operated large numbers of Nieuports of all types, including the 17, 21 and 23.<ref name=andy12/> Being largely reliant on aircraft procured directly from France, there was pressure within Russia to establish the domestic manufacture of fighters and the type was produced under licence however inexperience and the limited availability of trained personnel to assist, and poor quality raw materials limited quality.<ref name=andy12/> Many of these were operated on the [[Eastern Front (World War I)|Eastern Front]] and during the Russian Civil Wars. Russian Nieuport aces include [[Alexander Kazakov]], who flew the type against the Germans and later against the [[Bolshevik]]s.<ref name=andy12/>

By mid-1917, the Nieuport fighters were outclassed by new German types such as the [[Albatros D.III]] so that the {{convert|150|hp|abbr=on}} [[SPAD S.VII]] had begun to replace the Nieuport fighters in French front line squadrons. The British continued to operate Nieuports until early 1918, when enough [[Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5]]s had become available to replace them.<ref name=andy9>Andrews 1966, p.9</ref>

[[File:Bapaume (1920).jpg|thumb|The French [[aviso]] ''Bapaume'' was fitted with a 20 m hangar deck and used for flying-off tests]]
Later in its service life, the 17 was operated in large numbers as an advanced trainer. The American Expeditionary Forces purchased 75 Nieuport 17s for training and the French operated a fleet of trainers. The French {{lang|fr|Aviation Maritime}} operated one Nieuport 21 for carrier training during 1920 and 1921 aboard ''Bapaume'', a converted French [[Arras-class aviso]], pending the delivery of carrier aircraft such as the [[Nieuport-Delage NiD 29|Nieuport-Delage NiD.32RH]].<ref name=Davilla388-389>Davilla 1997, pp.388–389</ref>

Following its retirement from the European theatre, many examples were exported in small numbers for new Air Forces being formed around the world, to be used through the 1920s.

==Copies==
So impressive were the Nieuport fighters in early 1916 that {{lang|de|[[Idflieg]]}} (the German Inspectorate of flying troops) requested their aircraft manufacturers to produce a copy. Retrieved aircraft, detailed drawings and sketches were provided and the Siemens-Schuckert D.I was produced.<ref>Andrews 1966, pp.3, 7</ref> The copy differed primarily in minor details, was deemed to be satisfactory and went into production, although the SSW D.I was obsolete by the time it went into service and was used mainly as an advanced trainer. Another clone of the Nieuport 17 was the Euler D.I, although development work did not proceed beyond a few prototypes.

Other manufacturers, notably [[Albatros Flugzeugwerke|Albatros]] and [[Pfalz Flugzeugwerke|Pfalz]], explored a sesquiplane configuration in their own fighter designs. The [[Albatros D.II]] led to the Albatros D.III and [[Albatros D.V|D.V]] - commonly called 'V-strutters' by the RFC to distinguish them from the earlier Albatros fighters. As well as the advantages of this layout these types also exacerbated the flutter problem, which was never satisfactorily contained, in spite of strengthening. The [[Pfalz D.III]] was also a sesquiplane version of a previous biplane fighter, although it featured a more substantial lower wing with two spars that avoided the flutter problems encountered by single-spar sesquiplanes.<ref>Andrews 1966, pp.7-8</ref>

==Variants==
;15 meter Nieuport
:A colloquial description of the type based on nominal wing area.
;Nieuport 17
:The standard single-seat fighter biplane model.
;[[Nieuport Triplane#Nieuport 17 Triplane|Nieuport 17 Triplane]]
:Testbed modified from Nieuport 17 for triplane with unusual wing stagger.
;[[Nieuport 17bis]]
:Re-engined variant, powered by a {{cvt|130|hp}} [[Clerget 9B]] engine and fitted with fuselage stringers.
;[[Nieuport Triplane#Nieuport 17bis Triplane|Nieuport 17bis Triplane]]
:Testbed modified from Nieuport 17bis for triplane with unusual wing stagger.
;[[Nieuport 21]]
:A dedicated high altitude escort fighter/trainer variant equipped with an {{cvt|80|hp}} Le Rhône rotary engine, horseshoe cowling and lacking a pilot's headrest.
;Nieuport 23
:Similar to the 17, featuring various structural changes that resulted in the Vickers machine gun being offset when installed. Only other visible difference was alterations to cabane rigging.
;Nieuport 23bis
:Similar to the 17bis, but powered by a Le Rhône and using 24 fuselage with 23 flying surfaces.
;[[Siemens-Schuckert D.I]]
:While differing in some details, the D.I was largely a copy of the Nieuport 17.
;B.Kh.2 (Fighter type 2)
:The Siamese designation for Nieuport 17, 21, 24, and 27.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Thai Air Force |url=http://www.thai-aviation.net/files/Air_Force_Summary.pdf |access-date=2022-03-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806153702/http://www.thai-aviation.net/files/Air_Force_Summary.pdf |archive-date=6 August 2016}}</ref>

==Survivors and replicas==
[[File:Nieuport 23.C1 ‘N5024’ (34791742286).jpg|thumb|Nieuport 23 survivor in Belgian museum]]
A single original example has survived, this being Nieuport 23 "5024", which has been preserved and following a recent restoration, was placed on static display in the Belgian [[Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History]] in [[Brussels]]. The Nieuport 17 has also become a popular aircraft for replica builders. Dedicated kits for the type have been produced, including both 7/8ths scale and full size, and groups of builders have reproduced entire squadrons of aircraft in this manner. Contemporary drawings, sourced from both the original factory and a German technical report on the fighter, have facilitated the construction of various replicas, such as the example on display in the [[Canadian War Museum]] in [[Ottawa, Ontario]], which was built to the original specifications, while many others have used more modern construction, often using metal tubes to replace much of the wooden structure used on authentic aircraft.

==Operators==
; {{BEL}}
* {{lang|fr|[[Belgian Air Component|Aviation Militaire Belge]]}} – operated 12 Nieuport 17s<ref name=Davilla384>Davilla 1997, p.384</ref> and several Nieuport 23s<ref name=Davilla391>Davilla 1997, p.391</ref>
; {{BRA}}
* [[Brazilian Air Force|''Aviação Militar'']] – operated 20 Nieuport 21s<ref name=Davilla389>Davilla 1997, p.389</ref>
; {{CHI}}
* [[Chilean Air Force|''Aviacion Militar Chilena'']] – operated two Nieuport 17s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/chile/chl.html|title=World Air Forces - Historical Listings Chile (CHL)|access-date=7 May 2019}}</ref>
; {{COL}}
* [[Colombian Air Force|''Escuela Militar de Aviacion'']] – operated 4 Nieuport 17s.<ref name=Davilla384/>
; {{CZS}}:
* [[Czechoslovak Air Force|''Letecký sbor'' (Aviation Corps)]] – operated at least one Nieuport 17 and several 23s after WW1.<ref name=Davilla384/><ref name=Davilla391/> 
Danish Air Force - operated around 20 aircraft from 1917 to 1923. 
; {{EST}}
* [[Estonian Air Force|''Lennuvae Rugement'' (Estonia Aviation Regiment)]] – operated 2 Nieuport 17s, 1 Nieuport 21 and 1 Nieuport 23<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/estonia/est.html|title=World Air Forces - Historical Listings Estonia (EST)|access-date=7 May 2019}}</ref>
; {{FIN}}
* [[Finnish Air Force|''Ilmailuvoimat'' (Finnish Aviation Forces)]] – operated a single Nieuport 17<ref name=Davilla384/> and two Nieuport 23s.<ref name=Davilla391/>
; {{FRA}}
* [[French Air Force|''Aéronautique Militaire'']] – Only units whose primary equipment were Nieuport 17, 21 or 23 are included as nearly every French Escadrille operated at least a few.
** [[Escadrille 23|Escadrille N 23]]<ref name=Davilla380>Davilla 1997, p.380</ref>
** [[Escadrille 38|Escadrille N 38]]<ref name=Davilla381/>
** [[Escadrille 62|Escadrille N 62]]<ref name=Davilla381/>
** [[Escadrille 68|Escadrille N 68]]<ref name=Davilla381/>
** [[Escadrille 69|Escadrille N 69]]<ref name=Davilla381/>
** [[Escadrille 76|Escadrille N 76]]<ref name=Davilla381/>
** [[Escadrille 77|Escadrille N 77]]<ref name=Davilla381/>
** [[Escadrille N 79]]<ref name=Davilla381/>
** [[Escadrille 87|Escadrille N 87]]<ref name=Davilla382/>
** [[Escadrille 88|Escadrille N 88]]<ref name=Davilla382/>
** [[Escadrille 90|Escadrille N 90]]<ref name=Davilla382/>
** [[Escadrille N 91]]<ref name=Davilla382/>
** [[Escadrille 92|Escadrille N 92]]<ref name=Davilla382/>
** [[Escadrille 102|Escadrille N 102]]<ref name=Davilla382/>
** [[Escadrille 153|Escadrille N.153]]<ref name=Davilla390>Davilla 1997, p.390</ref>
** [[Escadrille N 311]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
** [[Escadrille N 312]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
** [[Escadrille N 387]]<ref name=Davilla390/>
** [[Escadrille N 392]]<ref name=Davilla382/>
** [[Escadrille N 523]]<ref name=Davilla390/>
** [[Escadrille N 581]]<ref name=Davilla382/>
** [[Escadrille Lafayette]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
** ''Group de Combat GC 11''<ref name=Davilla383/>
*** [[Escadrille 12|Escadrille N 12]]<ref name=Davilla380/>
*** [[Escadrille 31|Escadrille N 31]]<ref name=Davilla381/>
*** [[Escadrille 48|Escadrille N 48]]<ref name=Davilla381/>
*** [[Escadrille 57|Escadrille N 57]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
*** [[Escadrille 94|Escadrille N 94]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
** ''Group de Combat GC 12''<ref name=Davilla383/>
*** [[Escadrille 3|Escadrille N 3]]<ref name=Davilla380>Davilla 1997, p.380</ref>
*** [[Escadrille 26|Escadrille N 26]]<ref name=Davilla381>Davilla 1997, p.381</ref>
*** [[Escadrille 73|Escadrille N 73]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
*** [[Escadrille 103|Escadrille N 103]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
** ''Group de Combat GC 13''<ref name=Davilla383/>
*** [[Escadrille 15|Escadrille N 15]]<ref name=Davilla380/>
*** [[Escadrille 37|Escadrille N 37]]<ref name=Davilla383/><ref name=Davilla381/>
*** [[Escadrille 65|Escadrille N 65]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
*** [[Escadrille 67|Escadrille N 67]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
*** [[Escadrille 84|Escadrille N 84]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
*** [[Escadrille 112|Escadrille N 112]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
*** [[Escadrille N.124|Escadrille N 124]]<ref name=Davilla383/><ref name=Davilla382/>
** ''Group de Combat GC 14''<ref name=Davilla383/>
*** [[Escadrille 75|Escadrille N 75]]<ref name=Davilla381/>
*** [[Escadrille 80|Escadrille N 80]]<ref name=Davilla381/>
*** Escadrille N 83<ref name=Davilla382/>
*** [[Escadrille 86|Escadrille N 86]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
** ''Group de Combat GC 15''<ref name=Davilla383/>
*** [[Escadrille 37|Escadrille N 37]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
*** [[Escadrille 78|Escadrille N 78]]<ref name=Davilla381/>
*** [[Escadrille 81|Escadrille N 81]]<ref name=Davilla382>Davilla 1997, p.382</ref>
*** Escadrille N 85<ref name=Davilla383/>
*** [[Escadrille 93|Escadrille N 93]]<ref name=Davilla382/>
*** [[Escadrille 97|Escadrille N 97]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
*** [[Escadrille 112|Escadrille N 112]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
** ''Group de Combat Chaux''<ref name=Davilla383/>
** [[Escadrille 49|Escadrille N 49]]<ref name=Davilla381/>
** [[Escadrille 81|Escadrille N 81]]<ref name=Davilla383/>
** [[Escadrille 82|Escadrille N 82]]<ref name=Davilla382/>
* [[Aeronavale|''Aéronautique Navale'']]<ref name=Davilla383/>
** Escadrille de chasse terrestre du CAM de Dunkerque - operated 7 Nieuport 17s<ref name=Morareau>Morareau, 2002, p.67</ref>
;{{GUA}}
* ''[[Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca]]'' - operated one Nieuport 21 from 1925 to 1926
; {{flag|Hungarian Soviet Republic}}
* [[Hungarian Air Force|Hungarian Red Air Arm]] – operated one captured aircraft.<ref name=Davilla384/>
; {{flag|Kingdom of Italy}}
* ''[[Corpo Aeronautico Militare]]'' – operated approximately 150 that were built under licence by [[Aermacchi|Nieuport-Macchi]]
** [[83a Squadriglia]] 1st Sezione<ref name=Davilla384/>
** 1st Gruppo (3rd Armata)<ref name=Davilla384/>
*** [[77a Squadriglia]]<ref name=Davilla384/>
*** [[80a Squadriglia]]<ref name=Davilla384/>
** 2nd Gruppo (2nd Armata)<ref name=Davilla384/>
*** [[76a Squadriglia]]<ref name=Davilla384/>
*** [[81a Squadriglia]]<ref name=Davilla384/>
** 7th Gruppo (1st and 6th Armata)<ref name=Davilla384/>
*** [[79a Squadriglia]]<ref name=Davilla384/>
** 9th Gruppo (1st Armata)<ref name=Davilla384/>
*** [[71a Squadriglia]]<ref name=Davilla384/>
*** [[75a Squadriglia]]<ref name=Davilla384/>
** 10th Gruppo (Supreme Command)<ref name=Davilla384/>
*** [[70a Squadriglia]]<ref name=Davilla384/>
*** [[78a Squadriglia]]<ref name=Davilla384/>
*** [[82a Squadriglia]]<ref name=Davilla384/>
; {{NLD}}
* [[Luchtvaartafdeeling|''Luchtvaartafdeeling'' (Army Aviation Group)]]  – operated 5 Nieuport 23s as 120 HP Nieuports and 5 Nieuport 21s as 80 HP Nieuports from 1917 to 1925<ref>url=https://kw.jonkerweb.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=592:nieuport-21-and-23-uk&catid=93&lang=en&Itemid=555&showall=1&limitstart=</ref>
[[File:1920 февр. Как поляки Ньюпор23 грохнули (cropped 2).jpg|thumb|Polish Nieuport 23s]]
; {{POL}}
:[[Polish Air Force|''Siły Powietrzne'' (Air Forces)]] – operated at least five Nieuport 17s<ref name=Davilla384/> and three Nieuport 21s<ref name=Davilla391/>
;{{POR}}
: [[Portuguese Air Force#The Military Aeronautics|''Serviço Aeronáutico Militar'']] - operated 8 Nieuport Ni.21 E.1 trainers from 1919.<ref>Niccoli 1998, p.20</ref>
; {{flag|Romania}}
* [[Romanian Air Corps|''Corpul Aerian Român'']] – Purchased 30 Nieuport 17s from France. Another 10 were received from Russia in 1918.<ref name=Antoniu>Antoniu, 2014, p.49</ref>
** ''[[Grupul 1 Aeronautic]]''<ref name=Antoniu/>
** ''[[Grupul 2 Aeronautic]]''<ref name=Antoniu/>
** ''Grupul 3 Aeronautic''<ref name=Antoniu/>
;{{flag|Russian Empire|1914}}
[[File:Replica Nieuport 17 (8577911133).jpg|thumb|Replica Imperial Russian Air Service Nieuport 17]]
* [[Imperial Russian Air Service|''Императорскій военно-воздушный флотъ'' (Imperial Russian Air Service)]] – made substantial purchases of Nieuport 17s and 21s from France, with additional aircraft built under licence by [[Dux Factory|Dux]]<ref name=Davilla385>Davilla 1997, p.385</ref><ref name=Davilla390/>
** 1st Fighter detachment<ref name=Durkota9>Durkota 1995, p.9</ref>
** 2nd Fighter detachment<ref name=Durkota9/>
** 3rd Fighter detachment<ref name=Durkota9/>
** 4th Fighter detachment<ref name=Durkota9/>
** 5th Fighter detachment<ref name=Durkota9/>
** 6th Fighter detachment<ref name=Durkota9/>
** 7th Fighter detachment<ref name=Durkota9/>
** 8th Fighter detachment<ref name=Durkota9/>
** 9th Fighter detachment<ref name=Durkota9/>
** 10th Fighter detachment<ref name=Durkota9/>
** 11th Fighter detachment<ref name=Durkota9/>
** 12th Fighter detachment<ref name=Durkota9/>
** 19th Corps Fighter detachment<ref name=Durkota45>Durkota 1995, p.45</ref>
;{{flag|Russia|White}} [[White movement]]
* [[White Army]] – operated an unknown number of ex-Tsarist Nieuport 17s<ref name=Davilla385/>
;{{CHE}}
* [[Swiss Air Force|''Schweizerische Fliegertruppe'' (Swiss Air Troop)]] – operated five Nieuport 23s.<ref name=Davilla392>Davilla 1997, p.392</ref>
; {{flagicon|Thailand|1855}} [[Rattanakosin Kingdom|Siam]]
* [[Royal Siamese Aeronautical Service]] – operated at least one Nieuport 17.<ref name=Davilla385/>
; {{USSR}}
* [[Soviet Air Forces|''Glavvozduhflot'']]  – operated a large number of ex-Imperial Russian Air Service Nieuports<ref name=Davilla385/>
** 1st Red Air Force Fighter Squadron<ref name=Davilla385/>
** ''2nd Aviaotryady''<ref name=Davilla385/>
** ''3rd Aviaotryady''<ref name=Davilla385/>
** ''4th Aviaotryady''<ref name=Davilla385/>
** ''8th Aviaotryady''<ref name=Davilla391/>
** ''9th Aviaotryady''<ref name=Davilla391/>
** ''10th Aviaotryady''<ref name=Davilla391/>
** ''12th Aviaotryady''<ref name=Davilla391/>
** ''14th Aviaotryady''<ref name=Davilla385/>
** ''1st Naval Istrootryady''<ref name=Davilla385/>
** ''2nd Naval Istrootryady''<ref name=Davilla385/>
** ''Eskadra No 2''<ref name=Davilla385/>
** and flying schools.<ref name=Davilla391/>
;{{TUR}}
* [[Ottoman Air Force|''Kuva-yı Havaiye Müfettiş-i Umumiliği'' (General Inspectorate of Air Forces)]] - operated two captured Nieuport 17s serialed K1 and K2 in late 1918.<ref>Nicolle, 1998, p.6-10</ref>
;[[File:Flag of Ukraine (1917–1921).svg|25px]] [[West Ukrainian People's Republic]]
* [[Ukrainian Air Force|West Ukrainian People's Republic aviation corps]] – operated at least three Nieuport 17s,<ref name=Davilla385/> two Nieuport 21s,<ref name=Davilla390/> and seven Nieuport 23s.<ref name=Davilla391/>
;[[File:Flag of Ukraine (1917–1921).svg|25px]] [[Ukrainian People's Republic]]
* [[Ukrainian People's Republic Air Fleet]]
; {{UK}}
[[File:Nieuport 17 Pass 023Dawn Patrol NMUSAF 26Sept09 (14413294378).jpg|thumb|Replica of [[Billy Bishop]]'s Nieuport 23.]]
* [[Royal Flying Corps]]<ref name="Bruce RFC p333">Bruce 1982, p.333</ref> – Operated 50 Nieuport 17bis built under licence by [[Nieuport & General Aircraft]], Nieuport 17s, and 80 French built Nieuport 23s<ref name=Davilla391/>
** [[No. 1 Squadron RAF|No. 1 Squadron RFC]]<ref name=Davilla386>Davilla 1997, p.386</ref>
** [[No. 6 Squadron RAF|No. 6 Squadron RFC]]<ref name=Davilla385/>
** [[No. 11 Squadron RAF|No. 11 Squadron RFC]]<ref name=Davilla385/>
** [[No. 14 Squadron RAF|No. 14 Squadron RFC]]<ref name=Davilla386/>
** [[No. 29 Squadron RAF|No. 29 Squadron RFC]]<ref name=Davilla386/>
** [[No. 40 Squadron RAF|No. 40 Squadron RFC]]<ref name=Davilla386/>
** [[No. 60 Squadron RAF|No. 60 Squadron RFC]]<ref name=Davilla386/>
** [[No. 111 Squadron RAF|No. 111 Squadron RFC]]<ref>Franks, 2000, p.31</ref>
** [[No. 113 Squadron RAF|No. 113 Squadron RFC]]<ref name=Davilla386/>
* [[Royal Naval Air Service]] – operated Nieuport 17, Nieuport 17bis and five Nieuport 21s
** No. 1 Wing<ref name=Davilla385/>
** No. 3 Wing<ref name=Davilla385/>
** No. 4 Wing<ref name=Davilla385/>
** [[No. 206 Squadron RAF|No. 6 (Naval) Squadron]]<ref name=Davilla385/>
** [[No. 208 Squadron RAF|No. 8 (Naval) Squadron]]<ref>Bruce, 1988, p.37</ref>
** [[No. 211 Squadron RAF|No. 11 (Naval) Squadron]]<ref name=Davilla385/>
; {{flag|United States|1912}}
* [[American Expeditionary Force]] – purchased 175 Nieuport 17s, one Nieuport 17bis,<ref name=Davilla386/> 197 Nieuport 21s<ref name=Davilla390/> and 50 Nieuport 23s for training purposes.<ref name=Davilla391/>
** [[31st Aero Squadron]]

==Specifications (Nieuport 17 C.1)==
[[File:Nieuport 17 C.1 French First World War single seat fighter colourized drawing.jpg|thumb|Nieuport 17 C.1 drawing]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=''Those Classic Nieuports'',<ref name="Bruce AE2 p152">Bruce 1976, p.152</ref> ''The Nieuport 17''<ref name=andy12/>
|prime units?=met<!-- imp for US and UK pre-metrification aircraft, met(ric) for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show -->
<!-- General characteristics -->
|genhide=
|crew=one
|length m=5.80
|length ft=
|length in=
|length note=(Without optional ''cône de penetration'')
|span m=8.16
|span ft=
|span in=
|height m=2.40
|height ft=
|height in=
|height note=(Without overwing gun and mounting)
|wing area sqm=14.75
|wing area sqft=
|airfoil=Type N<ref name=Pommer175>Pommier, 2002, p.175</ref>[[File:Nieuport 17 Type N airfoils.jpg|thumb|Nieuport 17 Type N airfoil drawings]]
|empty weight kg=375
|empty weight lb=
|gross weight kg=560
|gross weight lb=
|fuel capacity=
<!-- Powerplant -->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Le Rhône 9J]]a
|eng1 type=9-cylinder [[rotary engine]]
|eng1 kw=82
|eng1 hp=110
|eng1 note=(nominal rated power, not measured power)
|power original=
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=fixed pitch wood ''Eclair'' 4 or ''Levasseur'' 484 propellers<ref name=Pommer175/>
|prop dia m=2.4
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|prop dia note=<ref>Spooner, 1917, p.889</ref>
<!-- Performance -->
|perfhide=
|max speed kmh=170
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=<ref name=Davilla385/>
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|range km=
|range miles=
|range nmi=
|range note=
|endurance=1.75 hours<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=5300
|ceiling ft=
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=<br>
**5 minutes 30 seconds to {{cvt|6500|ft|order=flip}}
**9 minutes to {{cvt|10000|ft|order=flip}}<!--Bruce-->
|wing loading kg/m2=37.9
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.15|kW/kg}}
<!-- Armament -->
|guns=<br>
** (French service) 1 × [[Synchronization gear|synchronised]] {{cvt|.303|in|order=flip}} [[Vickers machine gun]] and/or 1 × {{cvt|.303|in|order=flip}} [[Lewis gun]] on upper wing mounting
** (British service) 1 × [[Lewis gun]] on [[Foster mounting]] on upper wing
|rockets=8 × [[Le Prieur rocket]]s (rarely fitted)
|avionics=* {{cvt|26|cm}} camera (some aircraft only)<ref name=Davilla379/>
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent|
|related=
* [[Nieuport 11]]
* [[Nieuport 17bis]]
* [[Nieuport 24]]
* [[Redfern Nieuport 17/24]], replica for amateur construction
* [[Siemens-Schuckert D.I]], a German copy

|similar aircraft=
* [[Airco DH.5]]
* [[Fokker D.III]]
* [[Sopwith Pup]]
* [[Vickers F.B.19]]

|lists=
* [[List of fighter aircraft]]
* [[List of military aircraft of France]]
* [[List of World War I Entente aircraft]]
* [[List of aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps]]
* [[List of aircraft of the Royal Naval Air Service]]
|see also=
*[[1916 in aviation]]
}}

==References==
===Footnotes===
{{Reflist|group=note}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book|last=Andrews|first=C. F.|title=The Nieuport 17|series=Aircraft in Profile no. 49|publisher=Profile Publications |location=Leatherhead, Surrey |year=1966}} No ISBN.
* {{cite book|last=Antoniu|first=Dan|title=Illustrated History of Romanian Aeronautics|date=2014|isbn=978-9730172096}}
* {{cite book|last=Apostolo|first=Giorgio|title=Aermacchi – from Nieuports to AMX|publisher=Giorgio Apostolo Editore (GAE) |place=Milan, Italy|year=1991|language=it|oclc=471517421}}
* {{cite magazine|last1=Bruce|first1=J. M.|title=Those Classic Nieuports|magazine=[[Air Enthusiast|Air Enthusiast Quarterly]] |year=1976 |issue=2 |pages=137–153 |issn=0143-5450}}
* {{cite book|last=Bruce|first=J. M.|title=The Aeroplanes of the Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing) |publisher=Putnam |location=London |year=1982 |isbn=978-0370300849}}
* {{cite book|last=Bruce|first=J. M.|title=Nieuport Aircraft of World War One – Vintage Warbirds No 10|publisher=Arms and Armour Press |location=London |year=1988|isbn=0853689342}}
* {{cite book|last=Bruce|first=J. M.|title=Nieuport 17 (and its near relatives) – Windsock Datafile 20|publisher=Albatros Publications|location=Herts, UK |year=1990 |isbn=978-0948414244}}
* {{cite book|last=Bruce|first=J. M.|title=Nieuport Fighters – A Windsock Datafile Special |volume=I & II|publisher=Albatros Publications|location=Herts, UK |year=1994 |isbn=978-0948414541}}
* {{cite book|last=Čejka|first=Zdenek|title=Československé Nieuporty (Czechoslovakian Nieuports)|publisher=Historick Sesity|location=Prague|year=1998 |oclc=435534127}}
*{{cite magazine|last1=Cejka|first1=Zdenek|title=Les Nieuport Techécoslovaques |magazine=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date=January 2001 |issue=94 |pages=38–47 |trans-title=The Czech Nieuports |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
* {{cite book|last=Chassard|first=Marc|title=Nieuport 17 Analyse détaillée des premières séries|publisher=FAREWO (French Aviation Research Work)|location=France |language=fr|year=2018}} No ISBN
* {{cite book|last1=Christienne|first1=Charles|last2=Lissarrague|first2=Pierre|last3=Kianka|first3=Frances|title=A History of French Military Aviation|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington, DC|year=1986|isbn=978-0874743104}}
* {{cite book|last1=Cooksley|first1=Peter|title=Nieuport Fighters In Action|series=In Action Aircraft Number 167|publisher=Squadron/Signal Publications|location=Carrollton, TX|year=1997|isbn=978-0897473774}}
* {{cite book|last1=Davilla|first1=Dr. James J.|last2=Soltan|first2=Arthur |title=French Aircraft of the First World War|publisher=Flying Machines Press|location=Mountain View, CA|year=1997|isbn=978-1891268090}}
* {{cite book|last1=Durkota|first1=Alan|last2=Darcey|first2=Thomas|last3=Kulikov |first3=Victor |title=The Imperial Russian Air Service: Famous Pilots and Aircraft of World War I|year=1995|publisher=Flying Machines Press|location=Mountain View, CA |isbn=0963711024}}
* {{cite book|last=Franks|first=Norman|title=Nieuport Aces of World War 1 |series=Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 33|publisher=Osprey |location=Oxford|year=2000|isbn=1855329611}}
*{{cite magazine|last1=Gerdessen|first1=F|title=Round-Out: More Windfalls |magazine=Air Enthusiast |date=July–August 1999|issue=82|pages=79–80|issn=0143-5450}}
* {{cite book|last=Knight|first=Brian|title=Nieuports in RNAS, RFC and RAF Service|publisher=Cross & Cockade International|location=London |year=2011 |isbn=978-0955573439}}
*{{cite magazine|last1=Kopanski |first1=Tomasz |title=Les Nieuports polonais 1919–1920 |magazine=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=April 1993 |issue=2 |pages=13–21 |trans-title=Polish Nieuports, 1919–1920 |language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
* {{cite book |last=Longoni |first=Maurizio |title=Nieuport Macchi 11 & 17 |publisher=Intergest |location=Milan |year=1976 |language=it |oclc=799825412}}
* {{cite book|last1=Morareau|first1=Lucien|title=Les Aeronefs de l'Aviation Maritime|publisher=ARDHAN (Association pour la Recherche de Documentation sur l'Histoire de l'Aeronautique Navale|location=Paris, France |language=fr|year=2002|isbn=2913344046}}
* {{cite magazine|last=Nicolli|first=Riccardo|title=Atlantic Sentinels: The Portuguese Air Force Since 1912 |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |issue=73 |date=Jan–Feb 1998 |pages=20–35 |issn=0143-5450}}
* {{cite magazine|last=Nicolle|first=David|title=Young Turks - Ottoman Turkish Fighters 1915–1918 part three|magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]]|date=Jul–Aug 1998|issue=76|pages=6–11 |issn=0143-5450}}
* {{cite book|last=Pommier|first=Gerard|title=Nieuport 1875–1911: A biography of Edouard Nieuport|publisher=Schiffer|location=Atglen, PA|year=2002|isbn=978-0764316241}}
* {{cite book|last1=Rosenthal |first1=Léonard |last2=Marchand |first2=Alain |last3=Borget |first3=Michel |last4=Bénichou |first4=Michel |title=Nieuport 1909–1950 Collection Docavia |volume=38|publisher=Editions Lariviere |location=Clichy Cedex, France |language=fr |year=1997 |isbn=978-2848900711}}
* {{cite book|last=Sanger|first=Ray|title=Nieuport Aircraft of World War One|publisher=Crowood Press |location=Wiltshire |year=2002 |isbn=978-1861264473}}
* {{cite magazine|editor=Stanley Spooner|title=Some Nieuport Milestones|magazine=Flight|date=3 Aug 1917|volume=IX|issue=35/453|publisher=Royal Aero Club|pages=889 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1917/1917%20-%200884.PDF|access-date=22 October 2019 |issn=0015-3710}}

==External links==
{{Commons category multi | Nieuport 17| Nieuport 21 | Nieuport 23}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061010030605/http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/collections/artifacts/aircraft/Nieuport17.shtml Canada Aviation Museum: Nieuport 17]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080820164700/http://www.wwimodeler.com/storks/guy/n17.html Nieuport 17: At the Zenith]

{{Nieuport V-strutters}}
{{Nieuport aircraft}}
{{Aermacchi aircraft}}
{{Dux aircraft}}
{{Thai fighter designations}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1910s French fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Nieuport aircraft|017]]
[[Category:Sesquiplanes]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1916]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Rotary-engined aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]