J.Davilla, A.Soltan French Aircraft of the First World War (Flying Machines)

Nieuport 29

  With the Nieuport 29, Gustav Delage was at last successful in designing a fighter superior to the SPAD 7 and 13. However, the Nieuport 29 would not enter escadrille service until 1921.
  A requirement for 650 fighters to be powered by either a 300-hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb or a 320-hp ABC Dragonfly engine was formulated on 29 September 1918. The following aircraft were developed to meet this requirement:
   1. 300-hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb: SPAD 18, SPAD 20, SPAD 21, SPAD 22, Nieuport 29, Descamps 27, Hanriot-Dupont HD.7, De Marcay 2, SAB 1, Borel C2, Moineau C1, Semenaud C1, and a re-engined Sopwith Dolphin.
   2. 320-hp ABC Dragonfly: Gourdou-Leseurre.
  The C1 requirement was quite demanding, calling for a payload of 220 to 270 kg, maximum ceiling of 9,000 m, service ceiling of 6,500 m, maximum speed at 6,500 m of 240 km/h, and a minimum speed at sea level of 120 km/h.
  Of the above aircraft only the SPAD 20 and Nieuport 29 would see widespread service wit h the Aviation Militaire and the Nieuport 29 would become its premier fighter. The prototype Nieuport 29 differed from production aircraft in having single-bay wings and radiators mounted underneath the wings. In addition to this, ailerons were on both the upper and lower wings. The prototype had an impressive performance, but it could climb only to 7,500 m.
  The Nieuport 29 was unable to meet the specified maximum altitude, and it was therefore decided to fit it with a redesigned, enlarged wing. The upper wing span was increased on the second prototype, resulting in addition of a second bay of struts instead of the single bay used on the first prototype. A pair of Lamblin radiators were fitted beneath the center fuselage, replacing the wing-mounted radiators. Ailerons were still fitted to the upper and lower wings. The rudder was enlarged and of a high aspect ratio, probably because of control problems. On 14 June 1919 the second prototype was flight-tested by Lieutenant Casale, attaining an altitude of 9,123 m, higher than that called for by the C1 specification.
  A number of modifications were made on the basis of tests conducted with the second prototype. These were due to stability problems on the prototype, on which ailerons had been fitted to the upper and lower wings. As a result, the second prototype had the upper-wing ailerons removed and those on the lower wings enlarged to compensate.
  It appears that these modifications were first tried on a Nieuport 29 given the number "03," which may have denoted the third prototype.
  Production aircraft were fitted with a Hispano-Suiza 8Fb engine in a tight-fitting metal cowling with four exhaust stubs on either side of the nose. The propeller was a Lumiere 144c. The fuselage was streamlined and in front of the cockpit was built up of spiral layers of tulip wood veneer applied over bulkheads made of plywood. The lower wing roots were faired into the bottom of the fuselage. The tail surfaces were covered with tulip wood skin. The wings had two-bays of struts made of wood and covered with fabric. The centerline struts were of an inverted V configuration and there was a 10-degree stagger. The top wing had a slight dihedral and carried two fuel tanks. The undercarriage was made of wood and the axle was hinged. A fuel tank was located behind the engine and there was a wind-driven generator to supply electricity to light the cockpit instruments and heat the pilot's suit. The aircraft was armed with twin Vickers 7.7-mm machine guns mounted in a fairing on the fuselage top decking. Two lamblin radiators were mounted beneath the fuselage, one on either side of the undercarriage legs. The oil tank was fitted below the engine and was corrugated to facilitate cooling. As a result of all these changes the aircraft did not enter production until 1920, when an order was placed by the Aviation Militaire. The first was delivered on 11 February, 1921. On 9 October 1923 a decision was made to replace the heterogeneous mix of fighter types serving with the escadrilles de chasse with two basic aircraft: the Nieuport 29 and the SPAD 81. These two types remained the primary aircraft ol the fighter units until 1929.


Variants

   1. Nieuport 29 Fighter Trainer: Five examples of a standard Nieuport 29 were built with 180-hp Hispano-Suiza 8Ab engines to meet the ET 1 requirement for a trainer. The pilot’s view was enhanced by the removal of the twin machine guns. The type was entered in the 1923 contours d'avions ecole and met all the requirements of the competition. However, it was not ordered into series production. Ironically, when the Nieuport 29 C1s were withdrawn from front-line service in 1928, they were assigned to the training units from 1929 to 1931.
   2. Nieuport 29 Bomber: The Rif campaign had showed the utility of airplanes in retaining French control over distant colonies. A group of experimental Nieuport 29s were fitted with six 10-kg bombs for the ground attack role. In a single month the Nieuports dropped a total of five tons of bombs.
   3. Spanish Nieuport 29: In 1923 a competition was held in Spain to obtain a fighter aircraft (as well as a bomber and reconnaissance aircraft). The versions for Spain had the wing area reduced to 22 square meters and had the twin radiators placed vertically on the landing gear.
   4. Nieuport 29 with 160-hp Gnome 9Nc engine: Two examples were produced by the firm at Issy, designated Type Gs. One was re-equipped with a Hispano-Suiza 300-hp engine and flown in the Grand-Prix at Monaco in 1920 fitted with twin floats.
   5. Nieuport 29bis: A version of the Nieuport 29 fitted with a 180-hp Le Rhone 9R rotary engine. It was intended to be operated from aircraft carriers. The single aircraft built never went into production because the Aviation Maritime selected the Dewoitine 1 as its standard fighter.
   6. Nieuport 29 D: A high-altitude version ol the Nieuport 29. This aircraft had a lengthened fuselage with a triangular configuration. Originally designated the Type 40. it was not ordered as there was fell to be no requirement for a high-altitude fighter, The aircraft was instead used in an attempt to set a high-altitude record by adding a Rateau turbo-compressor and reinforcing the wing struts. On 19 March 1920 Lieutenant Jacques Weiss attempted to set an altitude record with it. However, the pilot lost consciousness at 7,000 meters because of a failure in the oxygen system. Fortunately, he regained consciousness at 3.400 meters and was able to pull out of the dive, albeit with the loss of part of the rudder.
   7. Nieuport 29 Racer: A modified Nieuport 29 which was entered in the Gordon Bennett Cup races of 1920. The aircraft was modified by having the wing span reduced with single-bay bracing and an increase in span of the lower wing until it was 21 inches longer than the upper. This aircraft won the race and went on to win the 1922 Deutsche Cup competition.
   8. Nieuport Type 22 m (29bis): A standard Nieuport 29 was fitted with a wing of reduced surface area. It was displayed at the Salon de l'Aeronautique in 1922 but no production was undertaken.
  A total of 250 Nieuport 29s were constructed in France from 1922 to 1924. In addition to those built by the Nieuport firm, others were built by Schreck, Levasseur, Potez, Bleriot, Letord, Farman, and Buscaylet. It was also built under license in Spain, SABCA (Belgium), Nakajima (Japan), Caproni (Italy), and Macchi (Italy).


Operational Service

  The 1st Regiment d'Chasse with Nieuport 29 Escadrilles 101-109 was based at Thionville. The 2nd Regiment d'Chasse with Nieuport 29 Escadrilles 101-108 (109 was a HD.3 unit) was based at Strasbourg. The 3rd Regiment d'Chasse with Nieuport 29 Escadrilles 101-107 was based at Chateauroux. A total of 24 escadrilles were equipped with Nieuport 29s, although some also had SPAD 81s on strength. The Nieuport 29 remained in frontline service until 1928.


Foreign Service

Argentina
  A small number of Nieuport 29s were acquired from France and assigned to Gruppo de Aviacion 1.

Belgium
  After the war, 21 Nieuport 29s were purchased by the Belgian air service. In addition to these, 87 were built under license by SABCA from January 1924 to October 1926. They were used primarily by the 9th ("Chardons") and 10th ("Cometes") Escadrilles although some were assigned to other units.

Italy
  The Nieuport 10, 11, 17, and 27 had played a key role with the Italian fighter units and it is therefore not surprising that the Italians would select the Nieuport 29 as the first new fighter to be ordered by the Regia Aeronautica. The Nieuport 29 was clearly superior to the other fighters then in Italian service. Initial orders placed were for enough aircraft to equip five squadriglias. They were built under license by the Macchi and Caproni firms. The serial numbers were as follows:
   1. M.M. 34, 35, 36, 37, 58, and 59, the experimental serial numbers applied to the initial examples of the Nieuport 29.
   2. 1000-1049: Fifty built by Macchi delivered and between July 1923 and March 1924.
   3. 1050-1099: Fifty built by Caproni and delivered between August 1923 and June 1924.
   4. 1100-1199: Sixty built by Macchi and Caproni (each built 30) in 1924.
   5. 1700-1714: Fifteen built by Macchi in 1929.
  A total of 175 were built in Italy.
  The Nieuport 29 had a relatively brief life in Italian service. The first unit to receive it was 84a Squadriglia, which accepted its first aircraft in October 1924. The units using the Nieuport-Macchi 29 in 1925 were 7 Gruppo: 76a, 84a, and 91a Squadriglias; and 23 Gruppo: 70a, 74a, and 75a Squadriglias.
  The order of battle for 1926 was: 7 Gruppo: 84a, 86a, and 91a Squadriglias; 8 Gruppo: 92a squadriglia with N.29s and A.C.2s; and 23 Gruppo: 70a, 74a, and 75a Squadriglias.
  The Nieuport 29s were withdrawn from front-line squadriglias in 1927, replaced by the indigenous A.C.2s, A.C.3s, and Fiat CR.20s.

Japan
  Nieuport 29s were built under license in Japan by Nakajima. The Japanese army air service had purchased several Nieuport 29s from France in 1923; they were impressive enough that 608 were built as the Ko 4 army fighter. Production continued until 1932. The Nieuport 29s replaced the Nieuport 24s and SPAD 13s then in squadron service and were used operationally in the Manchurian and Shanghai battles. The aircraft were assigned to the following Japanese army squadrons:
  1st Air Regiment (3rd Ground Division) with two squadrons; 3rd Air Regiment (16th Ground Division) with three squadrons; 4th Air Regiment (12th Ground Division) with two squadrons; 7th Air Regiment (20th Ground Division) with one squadron; and 8th Air Regiment (Formosa Ground Division) with one squadron. The Nieuport 29s remained the prime equipment for Japanese fighter units until 1933, when they were replaced by the Nakajima Type 91.

Spain
  Spain acquired 40 Nieuport 29s. Although some sources state that ten were built under license, Spanish sources indicate that all were purchased directly from France. These aircraft were assigned to the Grupo de Caza of Getafe (under J. Gonzalez Gallarza) based in Madrid. It was redesignated the 11th Gruppo in 1927. Other Nieuport 29s replaced Martinsyde F.4s with the Escuadrilla de Caza at Melilla. Attrition substantially reduced the 11th Gruppo's size by 1930. The Nieuport 29s were struck off charge around 1931.

Sweden
  Ten Nieuport 29s were purchased by the Flygvapnet in 1926. They were designated J 2s and all were assigned to F 3 based at Malslatt. During 1928 and 1929 the aircraft were sent to training squadron F 5 at Ljungbyhed.

Thailand
  Nieuport 29s were obtained in 1920 by Thailand (Siam) and, along with a number of SPAD 13s, equipped the 1st Pursuit Group into 1930.


Nieuport 29 Prototype with 300-hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb
   Span 9.80 m; length 6.65 m; height 2.56 m; wing area 26.75 sq. m
   Empty weight 767 kg; loaded weight 1,190 kg
   Maximum speed: 226 km/h; range 500 km; ceiling 8,200 m
   Armament: two 7.7-mm Vickers machine guns
   Two built

Nieuport 29 Production with 300-hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb
   Span 9.70m; Length 6.49 m; height 2.56 m
   Empty weight 760 kg; loaded weight 1,150 kg
   Maximum speed: 236 km/h; range 580 km; ceiling 8,500 m
   Armament: two 7.7-mm Vickers machine guns
   1,250 built

Nieuport 29 SHV Racer with 300-hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb
   Span 8.00 m; length 7.30 m; height 3.10 m; wing area 22 sq. m
   Empty weight 925 kg; loaded weight 1,220 kg
   Maximum speed: 250 km/h
   Armament: none
   Four built

Nieuport 29 ET 1 Fighter Trainer with 180-hp Hispano-Suiza 8Ab
   Span 9.70 m; length 6.49 m; height 2.50 m; wing area 22.00 sq. m
   Empty weight 750 kg; loaded weight 1,080 kg
   Maximum speed: 200 km/h; range 340 km; ceiling 6,000 m
   Armament: two 7.7-mm Vickers machine guns
   Three built

Nieuport 29bis Carrier-Based Fighter with 300-hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb
   Span 8.00 m; length 6.50 m; height 2.50 m; wing area 22.00 sq. m
   Empty weight 761 kg; loaded weight 1,100 kg
   Maximum speed: 250 km/h; range 500 km
   Armament: two 7.7-mm Vickers machine guns
   One built

Nieuport 29 V Racer with 320-hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb
   Span 6.00 m; length 6.20 m; height 2.50 m; wing area 12.30 sq. m
   Empty weight 600 kg; loaded weight 936 kg
   Maximum speed: 303 km/h
   Armament: none
   One built

Nieuport 29 Vbis Racer with 330-hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb
   Span 6.00 m; length 6.20 m; height 2.50 m; wing area 13.20 sq. m
   Empty weight 470 kg; loaded weight 805 kg
   Maximum speed: 313 km/h
   Armament: none
   One built

Macchi Nieuport 29 with 300-hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb
   Span 9.70m; Length 6.44 m; height 2.66 m; wing area 26 sq. m
   Empty weight 832 kg; loaded weight 1,190 kg;
   Maximum speed: 230 km/h; range 580 km; ceiling 7,500 m; climb to 4,000 m in 9 minutes 44 seconds
   Armament: two 7.7-mm Vickers machine guns
   175 built

Nakajima Ko 4 (Nieuport 29) with 300-hp Mitsubishi/Hispano-Suiza 8Fb
   Span 9.70 m; Length 6.44 m; height 2.64 m; wing area 26.80 sq. m
   Empty weight 825 kg; loaded weight 1,160 kg;
   Maximum speed: 126 kts; ceiling 8,000 m; climb to 4,000 m in 13 minutes 30 seconds; endurance 2 hours
   Armament: two 7.7-mm Vickers machine guns
   608 built