| Technical data | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Nieuport-XI "Bébé" | |
| Function | Fighter (French built) | Fighter (Russian built) |
| Year | 1915 | 1916 |
| Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Engines | 1*80hpLe Rhône 9C | 1*80hpLe Rhône 9C |
| Length | 5.6m | |
| Height | 2.45m | |
| Wingspan | 7.5m | |
| Wing area | 13.5m2 | |
| Empty weight | 320kg | 350kg |
| Loaded weight | 480kg | 525kg |
| Wing Load (kg/m2) | 35.6 | 38.9 |
| Power load (kg/hp) | 6.0 | 6.56 |
| Speed at 0m | 152km/h | 156km/h |
| Speed at 2000m | 162km/h | ?km/h |
| Flight Endurance | 2h30min | 2h |
| Ceiling | 4600m | 4500m |
| Climb | ||
| 1000m | ? | 4.0min |
| 2000m | 8.8min | 10.0min |
| 3000m | 15.0min | 20.0min |
| 4000m | ? | 35.0min |
| Payload | ||
| Fuel+Oil | 45+12kg | |
| Armament | ||
| Guns |
One Lewis or 'Hotchkiss' with 97 rounds drum |
|
Nieuport-XI "Bébé"
|
Smallest of 'Nieuport' biplane fighters (so nickname "Bébé"). Originally designed for racing, this light plane was fast and extremely maneuverable. Its only major technical problem was in the design of its wing struts. In a steep dive, the struts allowed the wings to twist, sometimes with disastrous results.
In Russian service were both French and domestic machines. Light sorts of wood and fabric were not available in Russia, and Russian-built 'Bébé's were 10% heavier. They also differed by fairing behind pilot's head.
Armament consisted of single light Lewis or 'Hotchkiss' machinegun installed on the upper wing. Reloading of the gun was facilitated by the Foster gun mount, essentially a curved rail that the gun could be slid backwards and down so the pilot could reach the magazine on top of the machine gun. With a variety of stops on the mount the gun could be inclined to fire upwards as well. This was a difficult feat to perform under anything but calm flying conditions.
Russian designer V.V.Iordan came up with simpler design, which was easier to operate. his installation allowed only two fixed positions. In normal position machinegun fired forward above the propeller arch, while in reloading position it could be used to fire upwards. This installation was used by Russian pilot K.K.Artseulov and others.
Available in Russia since 1916 in large numbers.
| Predecessors | Modifications | |
|---|---|---|
 Nieuport-X |
Nieuport-XV | Nieuport-XVI |
| References | Links |
|---|---|
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