Nieuport 23
Nieuport · France · first flew 1917 · fighter
The Nieuport 23 was a French single-seat fighter sesquiplane of the First World War, a refined development of the Nieuport 17 with minor aerodynamic improvements.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.84 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWI sesquiplane fighter with narrow lower wing
- Single-bay biplane with V-struts between wings
- Le Rhône or Clerget rotary-engined French scout
Classic Nieuport sesquiplane outline with a prominent rotary engine cowling, single-bay V-struts, and a noticeably narrower lower wing than upper.
Specifications
- The Nieuport 23 has a length of 5.84 m (19 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.16 m (27 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 177 km/h (110 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Introduced in 1917, the Nieuport 23 featured a more rounded fuselage cross-section and refined cowling compared to the Nieuport 17, retaining the characteristic narrow lower wing of the sesquiplane formula. It served briefly before being superseded by the Nieuport 24 and SPAD XIII.
Variants
The type was closely related to the Nieuport 17 and 24 series, with only subtle airframe differences distinguishing them; many were re-engined with the 120 hp Le Rhône 9Jb.
Where you'll see it
Operated by French Aviation Militaire and allied air arms including the RFC and Belgian Aviation Militaire during 1917, it saw combat on the Western Front.
Related aircraft
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