French biplane fighter Nieuport 17 C.1 COBI 2997 - Great War 1:32

Did you know:

We all know the legendary German Red Baron, who became a true legend, but the aircraft that influenced the course of the First World War were produced by the French company Nieuport Avions. Perhaps today no adventurous stories full of fearless heroes flying Nieuport fighters are told, yet it was precisely these aircraft that worked the hardest for the victory of the Entente and thus became a Silent Legend.The brilliant designer Gustave Delage had been working on a new aircraft since 1914. Even then he knew well that the future of military aviation lay in monoplane designs as we know them today. After considering the available technologies, materials, and manufacturing methods of the time, he opted for the proven biplane configuration. When the first Nieuport 17 aircraft reached the front in 1916, the German high command described them as the “Best aircraft of its day.” A fighter with excellent maneuverability and climb performance had no competition in 1916. The wooden structure made of linden and ash wood was light yet sufficiently strong. A technical curiosity was the ability to adjust the angle of attack of the lower wing for slow flight to reduce minimum speed. However, this feature was never used, because with the development of aviation aircraft were instead flown faster and faster. Perhaps the only imperfection was wing flutter when maximum speed was reached, which occasionally resulted in the lower wing breaking. Contemporary science was unable to explain this aerodynamic phenomenon. Nieuport aircraft were also produced under license by several British companies. The design was even copied by Germany, which manufactured it under the name Siemens-Schuckert D.I.

The most famous pilot of the Nieuport 17 C.1 was the French pilot and flying ace Georges Guynemer, with 53 confirmed victories and 35 probable victories. G. Guynemer applied to join the air force five times and was rejected five times for health reasons. The determined young man therefore took a job as an aircraft mechanic until he was finally admitted to flight training thanks to his determination. As a pilot he was extraordinarily successful. During May 1917 he shot down seven German aircraft, and by the end of July the number had reached 50. The French press began to take interest in Georges, turning him into a national hero. He himself did not seek attention and avoided people. This led to absurd situations when fans climbed through his apartment window just to meet their idol. Georges disappeared during a combat mission on September 11, 1917, when he was probably shot down by the German pilot Kurt Wissemann. Neither his body nor his aircraft was ever found. French society was in shock. Contemporary newspapers explained his disappearance by claiming that he had flown so high in his aircraft that he could no longer return.

In total, approximately 3,600 aircraft were produced.

Technical specifications:

• wingspan 8.16 m, length 5.80 m, height 2.40 m

• empty weight 375 kg

• maximum takeoff weight 560 kg

• powerplant 9-cylinder rotary engine Le Rhône 9Ja with an output of 82 kW

• maximum speed 170 km/h

• service ceiling 5,300 m

• rate of climb 5.7 m/s

• fuel tank capacity 77 l

• endurance 1.75 hours of flight

• armament 1× synchronized Vickers machine gun, caliber 7.7 mm + 1× Lewis machine gun on the upper wing, 7.7 mm

• crew 1

Famous quote by G. Guynemer, 1917:

“If you have not given everything, you have given nothing.”

About the COBI building set:

• the COBI building set 2997 is made of 277 high-quality ABS parts

• Great War collection 1:32

• pad printed – no stickers

• faithful detailing

• made in the EU