[WWI] Nieuport 11 questions

[Aidrian Bridgeman-Sutton]

The  Nie. 11 factory fit was very sparse so many things like basic
instruments were fitted by the users resulting in a wide variety of
different arrangements. Not a lot was ever documented so you will need
to rely on photos and your best judgement - there is no single
definitve answer and no one right way to make the model

1. Magazine storage was fitted locally it seems so there could be any
number of places. Some British machines seem to have had racks outside
the cockpit.

2. Nieuports of this period didn't have a proper panel - the
instruments were simply attached to the cockpit framing. The single
basic instrument was a white faced Jaeger "Compte Tours" (tachometer)
mounted on the right hand side above knee level. Some machines seem to
have had an altimeter and ASI added at "convenient locations". Many
aircraft had instruments mounted on the cross member below the
windscreen and the RNAS seem to have fitted a proper dashboard with an
ASI, Altimeter and probably a compass to at least some of their
machines.

3. I don't think the foot hold was open but can't say just why I think
that, I am afraid

Aidrian



> 1). Spare magazines lewis gun: Did they carry any spare magazines? If yes,
> where and how?
> 2). Compass and gauges: It seems that the N11 was not equipped with a
> compass or any other form of gauge or clock or 'what have you'. Correct? If
> not; which instruments where aboard and where?
> 3). Pilot's footstep: Most pilot's footsteps are closed by a small hinged
> trapdoor. It seems that the N11 footstep was open.