Obviously a French plane, but what kind?

[Rob Ruggenberg]

This is a French aeroplane, obviously.

The picture, an autochrome color photograph, was taken in 1917.

I think it is a reconnaissance plane, as I cannot see any kind of weaponry.

Anyone here who knows more and can help me out?

Thanks beforehand,

Rob Ruggenberg

http://www.greatwar.nl/kleur/fr-vliegtuig.html

[Malcolm]

Nieuport 17.

see

http://www.bcam.net/hangar%20ac/nieuport17.htm

Aye

Malcolm

[Dolphin]

Rob

A marvellous photograph!

Although the machine looks like a Nieuport 17, it may be a Nieuport 23, which externally differed from the Nieuport 17 by having the Vickers machine gun (seen on top of the cowling in front of the cockpit) a few centimetres to the starboard of the aeroplane's centre-line. It's hard to judge, but the gun on the featured aircraft does look to be mounted more to starboard than in the centre.

The primary difference between the two machines was the engine: the N.17 had a 110hp Le Rhône rotary, while the N.23 was fitted with a 120hp Le Rhône. The fuselage structure of the N.23 differed from the N.17, which is the reason for the gun being off-centre; there were also changes to the interior of the upper wing.

Regards

Gareth

[MikeW]

I lean towards Gareth's Nieuport 23.

By the way, even though in this case this a French aircraft, you cannot assume that it was in French service just because it had French Cockades, Nieuport supplied the RNAS with large numbers of 10s, 11s, 12s, 17Bis and 21s all with French cockades on the wings, I guess they had a large stock of pre-manufactured wings! It used to drive the depot at Dunkerque mad, and quite often Nieuports were issued out to squadrons still carring the French markings on the wings. The markings would be overpainted as and when the opportunity arose - that's why a lot of RNAS Nieuports had their wing cockades painted to the French proportions where the "inner" was much larger than normal.

Mike

[Rob Ruggenberg]

Malcolm, Gareth, Mike, thank you very much for the guidance.

I am looking with a different eye at these planes now - and I could update the caption with interesting info!

See you around,

Rob.