Wings of Glory: World War 1 – Nieuport 16

The Nieuport 16 was an evolution of the Nieuport 11, reinforced and modified to fit a new, more powerful engine, and used as a fighter, bomber escort, and in balloon busting. It was armed with a single Lewis machine–gun, set in a difficult to reach position over the upper wing and when used in balloon busting with four Le Prieur rockets on each side. With a top speed of over 100 mph (ca. 161 km/h), it was superior to its predecessors, but lacked in maneuverability; still, it represented an important stepping stone for the Nieuport line.

Nieuport 16 (Ball)

Considered a “lone wolf,” Albert Ball was a British ace scoring multiple victories on this Nieuport, including the destruction of an observation balloon with phosphor bombs.

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Nieuport 16 (Navarre)

Jean Navarre, the Sentinel of Verdun, the first French pilot to shoot down two enemy aircrafts in a day and the first to be officially declared an ace. He was made a Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur for his secret special missions and his aerial victories.

Nieuport 16 (Escadrille Lafayette)

Aéronautique Militaire unit N 124 – best known as “Escadrille La Fayette,” in honor of the French hero of the American Revolutionary War – was composed mostly of American volunteers who soon became a great inspiration to many aspiring pilots.