Nieuport 28

[dcravosa]

My grandfather was an early naval aviator and he flew a Nieuport 28. Anybody have any idea where I might be able to find any original parts to a Nieuport 28 that I might be able to display around our home. I imagine they are rare, but figured done of you folks might know.

[Bob Gardner]

Welcome to the forum.

I think it unlikely that you could find any bits. But you ought to be able to find photographs more easily. Try googling Nieuport photographs. You can probably download them from various websites. Let us know if you find anything.

There are specialist books written on WW1 aircraft which might produce several photographs for you.

Also items of early flying clothing can be found; gloves, goggles etc.

There are probably reproduction copies of recruiting posters easily available. They won't be specifically for Nieuports but they will add an ambience.

Good Luck

With kind regards,

Bob

[dcravosa]

Thanks Bob. I do have some photos of my grandfather with the plane and I also have his leather jacket and goggles. Anyone out there you that know that might have a Helice Levasseur propeller from a Nieuport 28 that they might part with for the right price?

[dcravosa]

My grandfather was in America.

[pmdec]

Thanks Bob. I do have some photos of my grandfather with the plane and I also have his leather jacket and goggles. Anyone out there you that know that might have a Helice Levasseur propeller from a Nieuport 28 that they might part with for the right price?

Hi,

It is quite extraordinary to have some equipment with known familial origin!

I think it will be very difficult to find such a propeller. The only Levasseur serial known for Nieuport 28 is the serial 577. Length 2.55 m, pitch 2.60 m, blade width 205 mm from French military papers and 195 mm from American papers (hey, Bob ).
I have pictures from 103 surviving Levasseur propellers but none is a serial 577...

Regards,
PM

[Dbahnson]

Unfortunately, you're too late for this propeller that I sold on eBay 12 years ago (for around $3,000). It was a Levasseur Serie 577 that had been drilled for another engine and I think had the metal sheathing added at some point, so it was not in original condition, but it was authentic. (I have no way of tracking the buyer down now.)

But here are the photos:

[pmdec]

Hi Dave,

Thank you for posting those pics ! The prop was originally made by Levasseur (remains of marking "L1 SFA U" on serial and prop number hub side) and repaired or modified by Colin et Busigny (marking "z1 SFA fz" on plane and engine hub side).

Regards,
PM

The Colin & Busigny decal is from a Régy serial 240 made under license. The doc is extracted from L'Aéronautique pendant la Guerre Mondiale (it was not "the first" when the book was edited in 1919!).

[Bob Gardner]

Pierre-Michel,

Many thanks for adding this photograph of the decal, which I have added to my photographic collection, with much delight.

With kind regards,

Bob

[dcravosa]

Nieuport 28

All,

Thought that I'd post a photo of my grandfather in front of his Nieuport 28. I'm guessing this was taken between 1915-1920, but am not sure.

I had Pierre-Michel take a look at it, and he noted that the shape of the propeller and the visible decal upon it definitely signified this as a Levasseur make. He also attached the joined photo and noted: "On the joined pic, the prop under yours is left handed (it is for a SPAD fitted with geared Hispano) but the decal is fitted the same way on the blade. The prop of your picture is probably a serial 577, but it is not possible to be sure."

Thank you Pierre-Michel for the education.

Dean

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[Dbahnson]

Do you suppose that Serie 577 may have been available in both left hand and right hand threads?

[pmdec]

Do you suppose that Serie 577 may have been available in both left hand and right hand threads?

Hi !

No, I don't think so even if there was no difference in cutting the laminations for same characteristics left and right handed prop (just the way the laminations are stacked: with the same set of laminations you can build a RH prop or a LH prop).

I put a left handed prop near Dean's picture prop because it is the only one for which I have high quality pics showing the decal on a whole prop in original condition! And I didn't flip the pic because if I did that the shape of the decal would be mirrored and it could not be possible to compare with the faint one visible on Dean's pic.

The shape of the prop by itself is enough to be sure it is a Levasseur, but only the decal (or the markings!) could tell it is a Levasseur made by Levasseur, neither by a subcontractor nor a licensee as the one made by Selmersheim on the joined pics.

Regards,
PM