Nieuport-Delage NiD 52

Nieuport-Delage · France · first flew 1927 · fighter

The Nieuport-Delage NiD 52 was a French single-seat parasol monoplane fighter of the late 1920s, notable for its export success with the Spanish Aeronautica Militar, which operated it as a front-line fighter into the 1930s.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — WingsMid-mounted, tapered
E — Engines1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage7.65 m fuselage
T — TailConventional

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Spot it by:

A parasol monoplane with a high-mounted single wing above a short fuselage, prominent N-struts supporting the wing, fixed spatted undercarriage, and a Hispano-Suiza liquid-cooled engine in a clean cowling.

Specifications

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in 1927, the NiD 52 was ordered by Spain in large numbers — around 30 aircraft — making it the most numerous export customer. The Spanish aircraft saw operational use during the 1934 Asturias uprising and were still in limited service at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, albeit as second-line types. The French Armée de l'Air also evaluated it.

Variants

The NiD 52 was the principal production version; the Hispano-Suiza-powered export version for Spain was the main variant; some aircraft had minor equipment differences.

Where you'll see it

Operated primarily by the Spanish Aeronautica Militar from the late 1920s through the mid-1930s; small numbers were evaluated or operated by France and other countries.

Related aircraft

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