Combat Evaluation Report, Nieuport 17
I find the airframe to be woefully inadequate, and considerably weaker than the new German designs arriving at the front. During the combat evaluation flight I personally witnessed a collision between another Nieuport 17 and a Halberstadt D.II - the German machine appeared undamaged, whilst the Nieuport suffered catastrophic failure of the wing spars and crashed.
Given the amount of damage both Nieuport machines took to their rudder controls and surfaces, I would have to rate these areas of the aircraft as vulnerable.
I also find the armament, whilst a slight improvement on earlier Nieuport designs in that the pilot is no longer expected to stand up to change drums, to be a severe limitation on the aircraft's effectiveness in combat. There is urgent need to provide a larger ammunition drum for the Lewis machine gun, as the frequent need to change the existing small drums has robbed pilots of more than a few combat victories.
On a positive note, the plane is responsive and maneuverable, and it's ability to make radical side-slips will undoubtedly confound enemy pilots.
On balance I feel this machine is scarcely an improvement on existing designs, and I urge that the new Sopwith designs I saw whilst on leave are made operational as soon as possible.
Signed
Captain Frank Palmer VC MC
Addendum: On a related note, rifle fire from our own trenches caused significant damage to both Nieuports - my own rudder was damaged, and 2nd Lt. Horton's plane was set on fire. I urgently request that all troops are ordered not to fire on aircraft unless they are clearly identified as the enemy.
Bookmarks