Nieuport 15
| Nieuport 15 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nieuport 15 prototype cica 1916 | |
| Role | Bomber |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Nieuport |
| Introduction | November 1916 |
| Number built | At least 4 |
| Developed from | Nieuport 14[1] |
The Nieuport 15 was designed as a bomber aircraft during World War I. Due to disappointing performance the type was rejected and never entered service.[1]
Design and development
Based on the Nieuport 14, the new bomber was built in the summer of 1916 and the first prototype was ready for testing in November of that year.[1]
The Nieuport 15 was a twin bay un-staggered wing sequiplane with V-struts and a newly designed tailplane including heart shaped elevators.[1] It was powered by a 220 hp (160 kW) Renault 12F V-12 engine.[2] featuring Hazet vertical tube radiators.[1]
During limited flight testing the controls and landing gear were found to be unsatisfactory and the French quickly abandoned the bomber type.[1] Late in December 1916 it was declared obsolete. The British showed some interest and initially ordered 70 aircraft but after disappointing tests all orders were eventually cancelled.[1]
Specifications
Data from History of War[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 10 m (31.4 ft)
- Wingspan: 17 m (55 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 47.85 m2 (515.1 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 1,330 kg (2,932 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,900 kg (4,189 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Renault 12F V-12 water-cooled piston engine, 160 kW (220 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 155 km/h (96 mph; 84 kn)
- Endurance: 3 hours
- Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,123 ft)
- Time to altitude: 7 min 20 sec to 3,280 ft
Armament
- Bombs: Fourteen 120 mm (4.72 in) calibre 10.0 kg (22 lb) Anilite bombs - 140 kg (308 lb) total
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
References
Further reading
- Hartmann, Gérard. Les NIEUPORT de la guerre (pdf) (in French). Paris. Retrieved 3 August 2015.