Gun Mount on Navarre's N576?

Rob_Owens · 27 February 2004, 07:23 AM

After having scratch built the gun mount depicted in the profiles of N576 in both the Nieuport Fighters datafile, and Osprey's Nieuport Aces, I took a closer look at photo 24 (N576) compared to 25 (Moreau mount on N1324)
(page 17 of the Datafile). N576's mount looks significantly different: there are no "legs" leading from the mount to the leading edge over the front cabanes, and the front part looks to be directly attached to wing ribs, not even near as far forward as where the legs of the Moreau terminate. Problem is, I don't think using the kit's Foster Mount on a French machine is correct, and I can't find any clear pics or drawings of of the mystery mount. Help?

Barker · 27 February 2004, 09:26 AM

Rob, this is as far as I get, for now:

An Eduard Ni.17 kit contained three PE versions, Lewis mounts.
Foster mount, that early in the war is incorrect for a Noop - I agree with you.

There are two others.

The third you do not mention is an affair I had been unfamiliar with until this kit.
Described: an arched frame in front, post to breech in back.
The arch in front is a barrel keeper. It looks unlike the other two in front view, due to the characteristic arch.

I do not know what to name it.

Does that help?

Foster is Brit, is it not? So not on his 'plane at that date, most likely.

R Pope · 29 February 2004, 07:43 AM

I have several pics of the hoop style gun mount on N-11's. The caption on one says the hoop was to keep the pilot from shooting his prop off, but this is obviously a mistake. The barrel is slung under the hoop about where the front sight would be, and the receiver is supported by a forked strut to the rear spar.Wish I had a scanner!

PeterL · 29 February 2004, 10:25 AM

The standard apology for the poor photography, but is this anything like it?

Barker · 29 February 2004, 11:41 AM

the one I know of (via Eduard) is a compound curve
-overall arch
-smaller dip the other direction, center as barrel keeper/rest.

that's what I recall - that photo is close but I'd bet Rob wants details - usually does.

was hoping to point someone in the direction.

Rob_Owens · 29 February 2004, 03:49 PM

Thanks for your assistance, Guys!
PeterL, Ja-ein ("yes and no"). The one on "6" looks much like the Moreau, but the Moreau muzzle keeper was an inverted V with the barrel resting at the apex, rather than an arch.
The N576 pic is fuzzy, but the mount appears to have the same muzzle keeper. However, there are no legs extending from the mount forward, and the gun sits considerably lower than the guns in other pics of the Moreau. Rather ingenious, actually. The legs pivoted at the front, and the rear of the mount was "double-jointed" so that the Lewis came down to about the level of the top wing for reloading. Maybe I'm just being retentive, and should go with the Moreau.