Nieuport II

The Nieuport II was a French two‑seat biplane introduced in 1910 by the Société Anonyme des Établissements Nieuport (commonly known as Nieuport). Conceived by the brothers Charles and Ernest Nieuport as a follow‑up to the successful Nieuport I, the aircraft was built primarily for touring, training and early commercial use. Its structure combined a wooden frame with fabric covering, a characteristic single‑bay biplane wing layout, and a modestly staggered wing arrangement that improved visibility and lift. Power was supplied by a 50 hp Gnome rotary engine, later upgraded to 70 hp versions, giving the Nieuport II a top speed of about 70 km/h (43 mph) and a service ceiling near 2 500 m. The dual‑seat cockpit allowed an instructor and pupil to fly together, making it a popular trainer for French military and civilian pilots. Its predictable handling, gentle stall characteristics, and robust undercarriage helped it gain a reputation for reliability during the pre‑war aviation boom. Although quickly superseded by more powerful designs, the Nieuport II played a pivotal role in establishing Nieuport as a leading aeronautical manufacturer and laid the groundwork for the famed WWI fighters that would later bear the company’s name.