Nieuport 21 & 23 - Dutch Nieuports

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]