Nieuport 11 (Replica)

The Nieuport 11 was a French WW l fighter that was important in helping to end the so-called Fokker Scourge of 1915-1916, in which the German flying corps had gained air superiority against the allies during World War One. Introduced into service in January of 1916 and affectionately known as Bébé, the Nieuport 11 rapidly outclassed its German counterpart, the Fokker Eindecker, in both maneuverability and speed. Equipped with a Lewis machine gun to fire up and over the aircraft’s propeller, unlike the Fokker Eindekcer which was designed to fire through the propeller itself, the Nieuport 11’s many advantages and its subsequent use in the Battle of Verdun in February 1916, led to a German rethinking of its aerial tactics.  While serving primarily as a fighter, some Nieuport 11’s were outfitted with Le Prieur rockets for use in attacking German airships and observation balloons. Beginning in March of 1916, the Nieuport 11 was being replaced by its successor, the Nieuport 17.

The Museum’s 7/8th scale replica Nieuport 11 (87% of the original size) was manufactured by Circa Reproductions of Canada and built by Salem, Oregon resident Doyle Lewis. Lewis’s Nieuport 11 was one of 13 Nieuport 11’s built by EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Chapter 292 in Independence, Oregon and painted in the colors of the American Escadrille, a group of American pilots who voluntarily joined the war effort in France beginning in April of 1916, prior to America’s involvement in the war. Of the 13 Nieuports that were ulitmately built by the Independence, Oregon EAA chapter, Doyle Lewis’ was the first to fly on June 9, 2002. Unfortunately, twenty minutes into its maiden flight, the aircraft began to lose power. Attempting to bring the aircraft safely back down on the ground and maneuvering the airplane so as to avoid numerous obstacles, the aircraft’s lower right wing struck the ground, causing the aircraft to crash. The pilot was unhurt, however the airplane did sustained damage that was subsequently repaired. Flown for many years thereafter, in November 2010, Doyle Lewis donated the aircraft to the Tillamook Air Museum.

SPECIFICATIONS

Type                  Fighter aircraft

Weight               265 lbs.

Wingspan         21 ft. 6 in.

Length               16 ft. 0 in.

Height                7 ft.   0 in.

Power                One 50 hp Rotax 503 twin cylinder two-stroke aircraft engine

PERFORMANCE

Maximum Speed             83 mph

Cruise Speed                    65 mph

Range                                 165 miles

Service Ceiling                15,000 ft.