Nieuport 17 detail question

Can anyone tell me what the two curved features are that appear on both the top and bottom of the N.17 wing on either side of the cockpit area? They appear prominently in this photo on Rosebud's website:
http://www.geocities.com/aw3aw3/images/bish_lewis.jpg

[WFS]

What you are describing are the aileron bell cranks. If you look carefully you might notice the aileron push pull rods which were attached to the bell cranks at one end and went through holes in the cowling to torque tubes controlled by the joystick. In short they were part of the aileron controls. Some of the more knowledgeable forumites can explain it in better detail than I can.

Regards,
Wayne

[PeterL]

This is a Nieuport 11 but the system is common to all the Nieuport Vee-strutters. The crank operates a torque rod which in turn moves the airleron to which it is attached

hth

[WFS]

The system was also used on Thomas-Morse scouts.

Wayne

Many thanks for the information, guys. After studying the photos and explanations, I believe I understand how the ailerons work.

Mike

[Dan_San_Abbott]

MSzwarc:
All Nieuports fighters employed this independent aileron control system. The same was used on the Nieuport 28c1, except it was enclosed inside the fuselage and operated the lower wing ailerons.
Blue skies
Dan-San Abbott