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

Societe Anonyme des Etablissements Nieuport

  In 1906 Edouard de Nieport opened a small workshop at Darracq. He initially produced parts for motors, and in 1905 he designed magnetos and starter motors for use in aircraft. In 1909 he decided to construct an aircraft engine and, to test it, built an airplane of his own design. The Societe Anonyme des Etablissements Nieuport (It is not known why the firm founded by Edouard de Nieport was spelled Nieuport) was opened the same year. The new aircraft was a monoplane exemplifying Nieport's belief in simplicity, strength, and streamlining for speed. The fuselage was formed as a half-shell and the pilot's head and shoulders barely protruded above the fuselage. The front of the cockpit was raised slightly to act as a windbreak. The monoplane wings were attached directly to the mid-fuselage. The square rudder, tail fin, and elevators were attached to the fuselage by a series of struts. Power was supplied by a 20-hp Darracq engine, which was to have been replaced by a new engine designed by Nieport and built by Darracq. However, the airframe was destroyed in a flood before Nieport had completed his engine.
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Prewar Nieuport Aircraft
   1. Nieuport 1 - 20-hp Darracq engine.
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