How long did aircraft last at the front?

G. Scott Long · 23 February 2007, 07:17 AM

Good morning everyone,
Being the naturally curious person that I am, does anyone have any idea how long the average aircraft would have lasted at the front? I was thinking particularly of 1918, when repair and maintanence would probably have been at it's best, and also of fighters at the front.If this thread has already been discussed I apologize, but I could'nt find anything about it.
best wishes,
Scott

G. Scott Long · 23 February 2007, 06:22 PM

Oops, sorry.
I guess I should have mentioned that I meant loss because of everyday wear and tear, not because of enemy action or being shot down in combat.
best wishes,
Scott

StephenLawson · 25 February 2007, 04:21 AM

Hey Scott;

Among several factors it depends on the type of engine. Though the whoile airframe may not be condemned due to the engine. When the Fokker D.VII at the NASM was restored in the mid 1960's it was found that the Mercedes engines usually need overhauling before 30 hours of flight time had been completed. Dan San Abbott or Dave Watt will be more accurate with their information. Rotaries needed overhauling on a regular basis.

Several recored of frontline Spad XIII types show they lasted for 40 - 50 hours before being unserviceable. I have a record of one Nieuport 24 that served for over a year in front line service before being written off. These examples did not include crashes or bad landings. I have the aircraft listings available from Issoudon's 3rd AIC and find that the Nieuport 21 -24 -27 types that belonged to the cadre tended to serve 8-9 months. They Nieuport 21 types tended to last about 3-4 months. This is excluding wrecks.