Nieuport 21 & 23

History

The Nieuport 17 was e development of the Nieuport 11 and was equipped with enlarged wings and a more powerful engine.
The Nieuport 16 was a first attempt to resolve the shortcomings of the Nieuport 11, especially the rather weak lower wing. It was equipped with a more powerful engine, but this resulted in a higher wing load and less maneuverability.
The Nieuport 17 referred more to the principles of the Nieuport 11, but had new designed strengthened wings with larger area. The lower wing proofed to tend to twist at higher speeds just as was the case with the Nieuport 11.
It was equipped with a 120 hp Le Rhône engine. Later the Nieuport 17Bis was released with a 130 hp engine.
The Nieuport 17, which made it maiden flight in January 1916, was armed with a fixed machine gun mounted on the upper wing. It climbed as fast and was as maneuverable as the Nieuport 11.

The Nieuport 21 was intended as a (unarmed) trainer and (armed) escort version of the Nieuport 17. It was equipped with a 80 hp Le Rhône 9C engine.
The Nieuport 23 differed in some details regarding the synchronization of the machine gun and re-arrangement of the fuel and oil tanks.

An market research in France in 1917 showed that the Caudron G-IV was the best reconnaissance aircraft available and the Nieuport XVII (with 110 hp engine) was the best fighter available at that time.

As a Romanian order was cancelled, it was possible to order some of these aircraft.

So 10 Caudron G-IV’s; 5 Nieuport 80 hp and 5 Nieuport 110 hp were ordered. Five Caudrons were shipped in fall of 1917 on the S.S. Rhea, but the ship was on hold for a long time at Gibraltar. In 1918 the aircraft arrived at Soesterberg. First flight with a Nieuport was on June 30, 1918 and soon a Nieuport, 80 hp followed.

Extensive research by H.G. Berfelo showed more information about the correct types of the ordered Nieuports. The Nieuports delivered were equipped with LeRhône engine os 80 and 120 hp respectively. The LVA designated the types usually with the power of the engine installed on the aircraft, so the Nieuports were Nieuport 80 hp and Nieuport 120 hp. These aircraft can be found in several records with this designation.

Next is a short report of the results of mr. Berfelo's research:

The Nieuport 80 ph is often thought to be an Nieuport 11C.1. This is not correct, both models had an cowling which is aten at the underside and are lacking the headrest, but the fuselage of the Nieuport 80 pk is rounded in front of the cockpit section. The Nieuport 11 fuselage is not rounded and the fuselage is connected with the cowling with a more triangular adaptor. Also the Nieuport 80 hp has a oval access hatch on both sides of the fuselage. Also the cables are running parallel from the upper wing towards the fuselage. The Nieuport 11 these cables are connected to the fuselage at one point.

So it can be concluded the Nieuport 80 ph is merely a Nieuport 17 variant. The only possible type is the Nieuport 21, in fact a Nieuport 17, equipped with an engine of 80 hp. The Nieuport 21 has a partly aten cowling, the fists examples, delivered lacked the headrest.
The Nieuport 120 hp is often referred to as being Nieuport 17. This isn't correct either. There is hardly any outward difference between the Nieuport 17 and the Nieuport 23. Both models were used mixed up. The Nieuport 23 had a more powerful engine rated 120 hp. internally some modifications were added . Nieuport added the type designation plus the construction number on the tips of the wings. When the wings was replaced or painted over, it was impossible to distinguish the Nieuport 23 from the Nieuport 17, except when the engine was examined.

An existing photo of an LVA Nieuport 17 proved to be of such good quality of the original Nieuport designation could be read from the upper wing. The aircraft involved, happens to be a Nieuport 23 with construction number 3541.

So it can be concluded that the Nieuports 120 were in fact Nieuports 23.

A photo of a Nieuport 23 is known, where the aircraft has the Dutch roundel applied. This roundel was used from 1921 and later. Probably the Nieuports were withdrawn from use in 1925 and scrapped.

Elt.vl. M. Behrens (O.I.L.) standing in front of Nieuport 21 serial N215 at Soesterberg, 1918.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Tlt.vl. N.T. van der Stok standing in front of Nieuport 23 serial N221.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Nieuport 23 serial N220 at Soesterberg, 1918, with machinegun on the upper wing.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Nieuport 21 serial N215 at Soesterberg, 1918.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Nieuport 23 at Soesterberg, 1920. With sgt.vl. E.J. Need at the right of the aircraft.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Nieuport 23 delivered to the LVA in 1918. Regarding the roundles this aircraft was still in use after july 1921.
[Ingesloten foto van BeeldBank NIMH. Klik op de foto voor bestel-informatie]

It is possible to convert a Nieuport 17 into a Nieuport 21 or Nieuport 23. These type were virtually the same and yu can hardly see the difference.

Scale 1/72

• Omega
  • Kit 72289: Resin model of a DUKS Nieuport NiXXI
  • Kit 72071: Resin model of a Nieuport NiXXI
• Eduard
  • Kit 2104: Resin model of a Flyboys Nieuport 17
  • Kit 7071: Resin model of a Nieuport Ni-17
  • Kit 7071: Resin Nieuport Ni-23 Dual Combo! (2 kits in 1 box)
  • Kit 7403: Nieuport 17 Weekend edition
• HR Models
  • Kit HR7354: Resin model of a Nieuport 21
  • Kit YY: Resin model of a Nieuport 23
• Revell
  • Kit H631 / 4106: An injection moulded model of a Nieuport 17

Modeling add-on

• Eduard
  • Set E72-334: Nieuport Gun Ring WW1
• Miniworl
  • Set A72-14: Vickers MK1

Decals

• Dutch Decal
  • Set 72035: Decal for several pre world war II aircraft such as Nieuport Type 21 N:215.R:80; Nieuport type 23: N:220.R:120

Scale 1/48

• Eduard
  • Kit 8432: Nieuport Ni17
  • Kit 8051: Nieuport 17
• Testors
  • Kit 613: Nieuport Type 17C1

Modelling add-on

• Eduard
  • Set E48-249: Detailset Nieuport 17

Decals

• --
  • Set --: --

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

Colour scheme Nieuport 21C.

Colour scheme Nieuport 23C.

Literature.

Websites.

• Nieuport Memorial Flyers
• The Nieuport Pages
• WWI Modeller Nieuport 11
• WW I Modeller: Nieuport 17
• LuftfahrtMuseum: Nieuport 11
• Nieuports
• LuftfahrtMuseum: Nieuport 23
• Wikipedia DE: Nieuport 17

Special thanks to H.G. Berfelo who provided me with lots of information about the Dutch Nieuports and even a photo of the interned Nieuport in RNAS colours.