The sesquiplane configuration reduced drag and improved the rate of climb and offered a better view from the cockpit than either a conventional biplane or even a monoplane, while being substantially stronger than other fighter from that era. The narrow lower-wing could lead to some aeroelastic flutter at speeds that the Nieuport 11 couldn't achieve, so it wasn't much of a problem.
The Nieuport 11 was, in many ways a modern fighter, however its armament wasn't. As the Frenchs didn't possess a synchronization gear when the 'Bébé' was designed, a single Hotchkiss or a Lewis gun was fixed to the top wing along the center line which fired above the propeller's arc. The gun was fitted with a circular ammunition drum which contained 97 cartridges and was mounted on a hinged platform, so the pilot could tip it backward to reload the gun. Some machines were field-modified to have twin-Lewis guns and others were also fitted with some rudimentary synchronization devices.
On the field, some Nieuport 11 were also fitted with the more powerful 110hp Le-Rhône engine. The pilots of the Nieuport 11 often also carried a pistol of their own.
The Nieuport 11 was powered by either a 50, 60 or 80 hp Gnome or Le-Rhône 9C rotary engine, which yielded impressive performance ratios. However the aircraft was dangerous in a lateral skid. Many pilots, who learnt how to fly in the stable Caudron G.3 and Blériot XI, found the 'Bébé' to be unforgiving to handle and accidents were very frequent.
One Nieuport 11 was fitted with a 150 hp Hispano-Suiza engine and flown by pilot Albert Etéve, to test that new engine. The engine was a success, but it was decided to employ on the new SPAD S.VII fighter, so the Nieuports kept their rotary engines.
The first Nieuport 11 arrived at the frontlines on 5th January 1916 and by February there were 90 in service with Aviation Militaire (French Army's Air Wing). The aircraft allowed the French escadrilles to regain aerial superiority from the Germans , who flew the fearsome Fokker E.III. While the Nieuport 11 was hard to control and to manoeuvre, it could also be very effective at the hands of a skilled pilot. However, aiming was difficult, given the position of the gun, placed high above the pilot's head, which required to angle the aircraft to ensure the bullets struck their target. Still, many French's aces, achieved their ace status while flying a 'Bébé'.
By early 1916, records from escadrille N 38 showed that the Nieuport units still were forced to employ the Nieuport 10 as a fighter, simply because there were not enough Nieuport 11 available. This was the reason why the Nieuport 11 was only supplied to the unit's most experienced pilots which, considering how difficult it was to handle, was a fortunate decision. By the time of the Battle of the Somme, N 38 had only five Nieuport 11 available, while N 49 just seven in March 1916 and N 31 had just three by October 1916.
By early 1916, records from escadrille N 38 showed that the Nieuport units still were forced to employ the Nieuport 10 as a fighter, simply because there were not enough Nieuport 11 available. This was the reason why the Nieuport 11 was only supplied to the unit's most experienced pilots which, considering how difficult it was to handle, was a fortunate decision. By the time of the Battle of the Somme, N 38 had only five Nieuport 11 available, while N 49 just seven in March 1916 and N 31 had just three by October 1916.
The Nieuport 11 was gradually supplied to the following escadrilles:
N 3, N 12, N 15, N 23, N26, N 31, N 37, N 38, N 48, N 49, N 57, N 65, N 67, N 68, N 69, N 73, N 102, N 103, N 112, N 124, plus one special escadrille, Escadrille 92.
The Armée Française d'Orient (A.F.O. - French Army of the East, the French Army serving in the Macedonian front) also had two escadrilles under its command, N 387 and N 391.
During the famous Battle of Verdun, which began on 21st February 1916, nine Nieuport 11 escadrilles were sent to that sector to achieve aerial supremacy. Initially those units were under direct control of various Groupes d'Armée (Army Groups), meaning that they employed most of the time escorting reconnaissance and bomber units assigned to the same Groupe d'Armée, while the Nieuport units themselves were also required to perform reconnaissance missions, leaflet drops and even spy deliveries behind enemy lines. Those duties were in addition to the usual fighter patrols and attacking enemy balloons.
However, the French realized that it was more effective to concentrate fighter units in a single group and employ them to gain air superiority over sectors of the front.
In preparation for the incoming Battle of the Somme one new group, Groupement de Combat de la Somme (Somme's Combat Group) containing seven escadrilles was formed in April 1916. This group was tasked with the inhibition of German reconnaissance aircraft and balloons from detecting French movement of troops and supplies to the front before tha battle began in late June.
By mid-1916 the Nieuport 11 was being replaced by the Nieuport 16 and by late 1916 almost every Nieuport 11 was already withdrawn from frontline service.
After being withdrawn from the frontlines, the Nieuport 11 were assigned to training units.
The Armée Française d'Orient (A.F.O. - French Army of the East, the French Army serving in the Macedonian front) also had two escadrilles under its command, N 387 and N 391.
During the famous Battle of Verdun, which began on 21st February 1916, nine Nieuport 11 escadrilles were sent to that sector to achieve aerial supremacy. Initially those units were under direct control of various Groupes d'Armée (Army Groups), meaning that they employed most of the time escorting reconnaissance and bomber units assigned to the same Groupe d'Armée, while the Nieuport units themselves were also required to perform reconnaissance missions, leaflet drops and even spy deliveries behind enemy lines. Those duties were in addition to the usual fighter patrols and attacking enemy balloons.
However, the French realized that it was more effective to concentrate fighter units in a single group and employ them to gain air superiority over sectors of the front.
In preparation for the incoming Battle of the Somme one new group, Groupement de Combat de la Somme (Somme's Combat Group) containing seven escadrilles was formed in April 1916. This group was tasked with the inhibition of German reconnaissance aircraft and balloons from detecting French movement of troops and supplies to the front before tha battle began in late June.
By mid-1916 the Nieuport 11 was being replaced by the Nieuport 16 and by late 1916 almost every Nieuport 11 was already withdrawn from frontline service.
After being withdrawn from the frontlines, the Nieuport 11 were assigned to training units.
The Nieuport 11 gave France its first modern fighter and allowed Aviation Militaire to keep supremacy over the Fokker E.III, while, as stated, at Verdun and the Somme the Nieuport 11 controlled the skies over the battlefield.
The Nieuport 16, on the other hand, was an improved variant of the Nieuport 11. It was developed in 1916 with a strengthened airframe and powered by a more powerful 110 hp Le-Rhône 9J rotary engine. Visually it was similar to the "11" but it could be distinguished for having a headrest for the pilot and a larger aperture in front of the "horseshoe" cowling. The "16" was seen as an interim type, while the better Nieuport 17 became available. Just like the Nieuport 11, the "16" lacked a synchronization gear, so it was armed with either a Hotchkiss or a Lewis machine gun, mounted over the top wing, firing over the propeller's arch. Some Nieuport 16 were also fitted with Le Prieur rockets, from the struts to attack German observation Kite balloons.
Unlike the Nieuport 11, the Nieuport 16 wasn't employed in large quantities, as it was seen as an interim type, while the Nieuport 17 arrived. Some of the escadrilles to have employed the Nieuport 16 were: N 3, N 12, N 15, N 23, N 26, N 31, N 37, N 48, N 49, N 57, N 62, N 65, N 67, N 68, N 69, N 73, N 75, N 77, N 102, N 103, N 112 and N 124.
The Nieuport 16-equipped escadrilles were active at the Somme Front. The Groupement de Combat de la Somme was formed in April to achieve local aerial supremacy over the front, while the Groupement de Chasse Cachy (Cachy's Fighter Group) also employed the type.
The Nieuport 16-equipped escadrilles were active at the Somme Front. The Groupement de Combat de la Somme was formed in April to achieve local aerial supremacy over the front, while the Groupement de Chasse Cachy (Cachy's Fighter Group) also employed the type.
Groupe de Combat de la Somme was tasked with supporting the 6th Armée during the battle. When the Somme offensive began, the group acted in the infantry support role, performing ground attacks while attempting to control the skies over the battlefield. When the Germans sent additional aircraft to the Somme, the Aviation Militaire sent seven escadrilles from Groupement Cachy to keep the aerial supremacy. Groupement Cachy's main mission was to provide aerial cover for the reconnaissance and bombing units in the Somme.
Anyway, the Nieuport 16s were soon replaced by the better and more effective Nieuport 17, with some few escadrilles kept the "16" until early 1917. It seems likely that by late 1916 most units had already replaced the Nieuport 18 entirely.
Anyway, the Nieuport 16s were soon replaced by the better and more effective Nieuport 17, with some few escadrilles kept the "16" until early 1917. It seems likely that by late 1916 most units had already replaced the Nieuport 18 entirely.
Sources:
1st Flying Machines Press - French Aircraft of the First World War
2nd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nieuport_11
3rd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nieuport_16
1st Flying Machines Press - French Aircraft of the First World War
2nd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nieuport_11
3rd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nieuport_16
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