WW1 NIEUPORT SCOUTS

Omaka is proud to be home to four examples of French Nieuport fighting scouts. An exceptionally mobile biplane whose excellent rate of climb and maneuverability made it popular amongst French aces such as René Fonck and Georges Guynemer as well as the British, including Victoria Cross recipients Albert Ball and Canadian WA Bishop.

Two examples of the French Nieuport fighting scout based at Omaka are on display in the Knights of the Sky WW1 exhibition. The first is an N.24, wearing the skull and bones insignia of popular French Ace, Charles Nungesser and the second an N.27, crash landed in a tree. The two Nieuports that will take to the sky at Yealands Classic Fighters are an N.11 and an N.16.

The N.11 was imported from the US by Classic Wings Magazine and completely rebuilt by a team at Omaka. The aircraft is powered by an Australian built 110 hp Rotec radial and is adorned with the markings of Australian Ace Stanley Dallas. A replica Nieuport N.16, a strengthened version of the N.11, is owned by Brian Greenall and Eric Driver and is powered by a Rotec R.2800. Following a decade of work, it first flew on the 19th of March 2019 and wears the risqué markings of an Imperial Russian Air Service fighter. 

We can’t wait to see these two machines flying again at Yealands Classic Fighters, the first airshow in New Zealand to pioneer major World War One recreations both in the air and on the ground. Omaka is home.

Image: An Omaka-based Nieuport - Photo by Gavin Conroy

Image: A Nieuport on static display at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre - Photo by James Orphan

Image: A Nieuport on static display at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre - Photo by James Orphan

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About Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka: The airshow is the main fundraising event for the Omaka Aviation Heritage Museum, located in Blenheim, Marlborough NZ.