GARY L. SMITH COLLECTION
No. 9389. Nieuport 27 (N5778) French Air Force
Source unknown

Nieuport 27

10/31/2009. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Despite receiving a new SFA (Service des Fabrications de l'Aviation, Aircraft Manufacturing Services) designation, the Nieuport 27 differed from the Nieuport 24 only in having an articulated two-part landing gear axle and simplified tail skid similar to those of the Nieuport 25.

The standard engine remained the Le Rhône 9Jb or 9Jby of 120 hp and 130 hp respectively, and the single synchronized Vickers gun was retained. The last Vee-strutted Nieuport sesquiplane to see operational service, the Nieuport 27 attained use with French escadrilles during the summer of 1917, but was rapidly outmoded.

At least 87 were supplied to the RFC, which was not to withdraw this type finally until 20 April 1918, long after the Nieuport 27 was outclassed on the Western Front. It was used in quantity by Italy, and, in November 1917, a total of 287 Nieuport 27s was acquired by the US Army Air Service for the fighter training role.

In Japan, Nakajima built 25 Nieuport 27s in 1923, and these served in the Imperial Army as fighters with the same Ko 3 designation as the Nieuport 24s."

Created October 31, 2009