Nieuport 28C.1
1st Lt. James Meissner
US Army 94th Aero Sqn, 1918
(Wings of the Great War WW13001)
- Engine: One 160/170 h.p. Gnome Monosoupape 9 N rotary
- Span: 26 ft 9 in
- Length: 21 ft 0 in
- Height: 8 ft 2 in
- Weight: lb. empty; 1,625 lb loaded
- Crew: One
- Max Speed: 122 mph at 6,560 ft
- Service Ceiling: 17,000 ft
- Duration: 1 hr 30 min
- Armament: Two fixed, forward firing Vickers .303 cal MG
- Notes: First flight 14 Jun 1917, and ordered into production by the French government, but few served with France because the superior SPAD XIII was becoming available. However, it was the most readily available aircraft for the new A.E.F. Air Service and 297 were purchased by the United States to equip the 27th, 94th, 95th, and 147th Aero Squadrons, with delivery starting in Mar 1918. Leading American pilots to fly the Nie.28 included Douglas Campbell and Eddie Rickenbacker. However, Raoul Lufberry and Quentin Roosevelt lost their lives flying the Nie.28. From Jul 1918 they were relegated to training duties as the SPAD XIII became available.
One problem with the Nie.28 was the tendency for the upper wing to shed its fabric during violent maneuvers; 1st Lt. James Meissner experienced this event twice in this aircraft, both times being able to land safely. He was credited with 8 aerial victories during the war.
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