Dive challenge between the fokker and the nieuport

[VieuxCharles]

Ok small question who do you think would be superior in a dive the fokker e3 or the nieuport 11.
Thanks in advance

[Windy Jack]

Hi, Alexander. I can't give you the historical answer, but here is an answer of sorts.
I checked out the manoeuvre decks for each plane, i.e. the T for the Fokker and the E for the Nieuport. They are identical, except that the E deck has an extra short side slip. So I guess that means in the eyes of the game designers these planes were identical in their ability to dive.
Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be able to answer your question from a practical point of view.

[Walarik]

As for Fokker, please refer to the Upavon Report Number 48, in which is stated: "This machine can be dived very steeply and showing an airspeed of 115 mph comes out of the dive with complete ease".
So, in an otherwise difficult airplane to fly (Upavon continues, in General Remarks, "4. Tiring to fly in all but still air."), it could still gain speed without loss of control (taken from theaerodrome.com)

[VieuxCharles]

Lovely, thanks so much to you both!!

[Flying Helmut]

Nieuports, with their sesquiplane wing layout, were notoriously poor divers, known for occasionally shedding the lower half-wing in a dive (not as badly affected as the much larger and heavier Albatros D.III and D.V, but still a noticeable danger).

In combination with the Fokker dive assessment posted above, I would make the Fokker a clearly better diver than the Nieuport 11, 16 and 17

[VieuxCharles]

Thanks Tim, for the definitive answer!!

[Stumptonian]

In combination with the Fokker dive assessment posted above, I would make the Fokker a clearly better diver than the Nieuport 11, 16 and 17

Too bad their abysmal climb rate has them at such a disadvantage to get back up!

[VieuxCharles]

eh that's true