Unknown Nieuport 17 "escadrille" ?

Ruy · 11 August 2009, 04:08 PM

Recently I had the opportunety of watching an old picture from a Nieuport 17 silver-doped overall, from Summer 1917 coded F1 in black over the fuselage, and the serial number was N 3627.

Any idea of the "escadrille" it belonged to?

Thanks in advance

Best Regards

Ruy

Ruy · 12 August 2009, 02:47 PM

After some research I guess that, there is a high probability it was part of a RFC squadron, whose aircraft had a code letter and sometimes joined by a number on the fuselage.

SCMc · 12 August 2009, 03:07 PM

N 3627 was not in The Aerodrome serial number database. If you are able to identify it, it would be good to ask Scott (the site owner) to add it.

Steve

StephenLawson · 13 August 2009, 05:46 PM

N 3627 sounds like a Nieuport type 23.

Cliff · 16 August 2009, 12:17 AM

Just checked the "Nieuports in RNAS,RFC and RAF Service" published by
C&C Intl.

N3627 is NOT listed, the closest number being a N23 'N3630'.
A British coded N.27 'B3627' is included.

Also, British markings for 60 Sqn. were 'A' 'B' or 'C' plus a number.
I couldn't find any pics of an 'F' coded N17 or N23 in the book.
The other option is #1 Sqn. who used a letter code with a vertical red
bar sqn. marking which would look black in photos.

Or maybe not a British machine?? Could you make out the sequence of
colours on the roundels?

Cliff

Ruy · 16 August 2009, 07:02 PM

Thank you very much for your answers.
As a matter of fact its hard to see the serial number on the rudder but you may check it out, by yourself and may see the code letter "F" and number "1".

Hopping to hear from you soon

Best Regards

Ruy

StephenLawson · 16 August 2009, 10:18 PM

French Cockades. Engine looks like an 80hp LeRône. With a Vickers (maybe) or Camera gun.

StephenLawson · 17 August 2009, 11:01 AM

Here is a bit of fun on Nieuport serial numbers.

Ruy · 17 August 2009, 04:37 PM

This particular case it's not an easy one to solve and I do believe that a lot of information was lost during all these years, maybe some private documents may help in a near future.

Well as we may see the roundels (cocardes) are french style as the serial number on the rudder. But as far as I know the french aircraft displayed individual numbers over the fuselage in different colors sometimes side by side the escadrille insignia. I guess only the british used a combination code of a letter and a number. But the RFC aircraft also displayed their roundel type colours and a large serial number on the rudder not seen here.
After a closer look of a digitalized 650 dpi pic, I guess the serial number is N 1627 and not 3627. The internet Nieuport page of serial numbers doesn't help in this particular case.

Let's wait and see...

Best Regards

vb136 · 18 August 2009, 04:51 AM

If I am not mistaken, French naval a/c were numbered with a capital letter and a number, the letter signifying the naval base from where the a/c operated. Maybe this is such a case?