The Nieuport 28 was designed by Gustave Delage as a replacement for the outclassed Nieuport 17 and the
various aircraft developed from it. The wing design was more conventional than earlier Newport designs and it was fitted with a more powerful engine resulting in a faster and more agile design, the Nieuport 28 also utilised improved offensive armament in the form of twin synchronized machine guns resulting in a improved overall design over the existing Nieuport 17. The French Air force had virtually replaced it's Nieuport 17 with the SPAD S.XIII and had no need of a replacement fighter the Americans however had just entered the war and had little experience with fighter design and rapidly purchased the new Nieuport 28 to equip it's first fighter squadrons, 297 aircraft were purchased and allowed the first four AEF pursuit squadrons to become operational from March 1918. Operational problems with the Nieuport 28 led to their replacement with SPAD S.XIII's after four months of operational service with the American forces. It is noteworthy that the famous American ace Captain Eddie Rickenbacker began his impressive list of 26 victories whilst flying the Nieuport 28. Nieuport 28 Specifications: - Crew: Pilot only
- Length: 7.8 m (24.4 ft)
- Wingspan: 8.1 m (26 ft 3 in)
- Height: 2.5 m (8 ft 0 in)
- Wing area: 15.8 m² (169 ft²)
- Empty weight: 475 kg (1,227 lb)
- Loaded weight: 560 kg (1,635 lb)
- Maximum speed: 184 km/h (122 mph)
- Range: 349 km (180 miles)
- Service ceiling 5300 m (17,390 ft)
- Rate of climb: 11.5 min to 3,000 m (9,840 ft)
Armament: - Twin .303 in Vickers machine guns
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