Nieuport 12 - WW1 French Aircraft & Warplanes - Details, History

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Nieuport 12

The Nieuport 12 was a French sesquiplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft used by France, Great Britain, Russia, and the US during WW1.

Time Period: World War I
Country of Origin: France
Type: Biplane, Fighter Aircraft, Trainer Aircraft, Reconnaissance and Surveillance (Artillery)
Manufacturer: Nieuport

Nieuport 12 Aircraft Overview

The Nieuport 12 was a French single-seat biplane fighter aircraft produced during World War I. It was designed by Gustave Delage and was a further development of the successful Nieuport 11 fighter. The Nieuport 12 had a more powerful engine than the Nieuport 11 and also featured an improved wing design and armament.

The Nieuport 12 entered service with the French Air Service in early 1916 and saw extensive use throughout World War I, both as a fighter and a reconnaissance aircraft. It was also used by several other countries, including Great Britain, Russia, and Italy.

The Nieuport 12 was a nimble and agile aircraft, and it was highly respected by its pilots for its handling characteristics. However, it was also known for being relatively fragile, and it was not as heavily armed as some of its contemporaries. Despite these limitations, the Nieuport 12 played an important role in the early years of World War I and helped establish the dominance of French aviation during that time.

Nieuport 12 Specifications

Crew: 2 (pilot and observer/gunner)
Length: 7.10 m (23 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 9.00 m (29 ft 6 in); surviving aircraft measurements suggest 9.15 m (30 ft)
Height: 2.70 m (8 ft 10 in)
Wing Area: 22.00 m² (236.8 sq ft)
Empty Weight: 550 kg (1,213 lb)
Gross Weight: 825 kg (1,819 lb)
Fuel Capacity: 120 kg
Engine: 1 × Clerget 9Z 9-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine, 82 kW (110 hp)
Propeller: 2-bladed wooden fixed pitch, varying between 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) and 2.55 m (8 ft 4 in)

Nieuport 12 Performance

Maximum Speed: 146 km/h (91 mph) at 2,000 m (6,600 ft)
Range: 500 km (310 mi)
Endurance: 3 hours
Service Ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
Climb Rate: 14 min 15 sec to 2,000 m (6,600 ft)

Nieuport 12 Armament

1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis gun on Etévé ring in the rear cockpit, with an occasional second gun mounted on the upper wing.

Nieuport 12 Image Gallery

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