Nieuport
NiD 32Rh
The Nieuport NiD 32Rh, an evolution of the earlier NiD 32 series, was produced by the French manufacturer Nieuport in the early 1920s as part of the post‑World‑War effort to modernize the nation’s fighter fleet. First flown in 1922, the aircraft incorporated a more powerful Hispano‑Suiza 8Fb V‑8 engine, delivering approximately 300 hp and enabling a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph). Its biplane configuration retained the characteristic Nieuport sesquiplane layout— a larger upper wing paired with a smaller, stiffened lower wing— which provided excellent maneuverability while reducing drag. Structural refinements included a strengthened wooden fuselage with metal fittings and an enclosed cockpit, a rarity for the era, improving pilot comfort and visibility. The NiD 32Rh was equipped with twin synchronized Vickers machine guns and featured adjustable wing stagger, allowing pilots to fine‑tune handling characteristics for combat or aerobatic display. Although only a limited number entered service with the French Air Force, the aircraft played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between wartime biplanes and the emerging monoplane fighters of the late 1920s, showcasing Nieuport’s innovative approach to aerodynamics and power‑plant integration that influenced subsequent French designs.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1920