The L.O.O.T.M. Archive

Lust Object of the Month

August 2008

The prototype Nieuport 28, showing graceful, sweeping lines and excellent proportions.  Note the background image just above the cowling.  More info, and some great photos, here:  http://www.airminded.net/n28/n28.html

This aircraft is on display at the National Museum of the USAF in Dayton, OH.  It contains bits of an original Nieuport 28 and bears the marking of the 95th Aero Squadron, Third Flight ("Kicking Mules").  More here:  http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=273

How's that for colorful?  Since this patriotic aircraft was based in Florida after WWI, I couldn't resist.  More color profiles here:  http://ark.com/~mdf/N_28.html

A great study in aero-architecture.  This aircraft was photographed in 1996 while under restoration at the Garber facility of the National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC.  Note the quality of the wood work and all the wires, cables and turnbuckles used to brace the structure.  Other Nieuport 28s in museums around the world may be found here: 

http://www.wwi-models.org/Photos/Fre/Nie28/index.html

There is a full-scale replica built by Ray Jarvis flying behind a Rotec R3600 Radial Engine (150 HP).  For more information about the plane, go here: 

 http://www.airdromeairplanes.com/Nieuport28%7BFullscale%7D.html 

Note that this is not a tiny airplane.  Ray Jarvis and the engine at the front of the Nieuport.  For information about the engine, go here: 

http://www.rotecradialengines.com/customers/RayJarvis.htm 

(Note--When you go here, you'll find a link to the Rotec home page at the top of this page.)

During WWI, the Nieuport line of sesquiplanes (large top wing and small bottom wing) were some potent and nimble aircraft.  And while it could be argued that the earlier models were pretty aircraft, the lines of the Nieuport 28 seem so pleasing and well-proportioned.

It was flown by a long list of Allied pilots, including Quintin Roosevelt (Teddy's son) and Eddie Rickenbacker.  The Nieuport 28 was the aircraft in which the first American Unit victory of WWI was scored when Lt. Campbell shot down a Pfalz D.IIIa.  (Campbell went on to become the first US Ace.)

Small for a fighter of the time, the top wing still spanned 26 feet--larger than the Pitts.  Most do not realize just how large and tall some of these early aircraft were, falling between a Great Lakes and the Stearman in size.  Still, the compact Nieuport was tiny enough that the guns had to be mounted with an offset to allow for storing the ammunition.

Pretty, sleek and maneuverable, the Nieuport 28 is the August LOOTM. 

Enjoy!