Nieuport 21 C.1

The Nieuport 21 C.1 was a French single‑seat fighter and trainer introduced in 1916 during World War I. Developed by the Nieuport company as a quieter, more docile complement to the highly maneuverable Nieuport 17, the 21 retained the same sesquiplane wing layout but employed a less powerful Le Rhône 9C rotary engine delivering 80 hp. This modest power, combined with a lighter wing loading, gave the aircraft superior climb and a gentle handling character that made it ideal for pilot instruction and reconnaissance duties. Its airframe featured a wooden frame covered with fabric, a rounded fuselage, and a distinctive V‑type strut supporting the lower wing—a hallmark of Nieuport’s designs. Armament typically consisted of a single synchronized Vickers machine gun mounted on the fuselage. Although it saw limited front‑line combat, the 21 filled an essential training role, preparing thousands of pilots for the more demanding Nieuport 17 and later SPAD fighters. The type’s reliability and ease of maintenance contributed to the rapid expansion of French air power and left a lasting influence on post‑war trainer concepts worldwide. It remains a celebrated example of early aviation engineering.

Nieuport

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