Photograph:
Airdrome Aeroplanes Nieuport 24 ZK-MNR N240 (c/n 1614) at Ashburton, NZ in February 2013 (David Paull – NZCIVAIR)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Single-seat replica fighter – sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 82 kw (110 hp) Rotec R-2800 seven-cylinder air-cooled radial engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.2 m (26 ft 9 in)
- Length: 5.9 m (19 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 17 m² (180 sq ft)
- Max speed: 153 km/h (95 mph)
- Cruising speed: 134 km/h (83 mph)
- Stalling speed: 56 km/h (35 mph)
- Rate of climb: 259 m/min (850 ft/min)
- Fuel capacity: 53 litres (12 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 225 kg (496 lb)
- Loaded weight: 379 kg (836 lb)
History:
The Airdrome Aeroplanes Nieuport 24 replica was one of a series of scale and full-scale World War I aircraft produced by Airdrome Aeroplanes of Holden, Missouri, USA for the sport pilot. It has been supplied in kit form for construction by the amateur pilot / builder in two variants, the Nieuport 24 and the Nieuport 24bis. Unlike some of the other aircraft from this manufacturer, it was a full-scale replica of the French fighter and was built using modern materials and modern engines. It was a single-seat, strut-braced biplane with a single open cockpit. The airframe was aluminium tubing bolted together, the flying surfaces being fabric covered.
A range of engines could be installed ranging from 63 kw to 82 kw (85 hp to 110 hp) and included the Hirth F-30 two-stroke engine, conversions of the Volkswagen air-cooled four-stroke, and the Australian-built Rotec R-2800 radial. It was available as one kit or 12 separate sub-kits to spread the costs. It was placed in production in 2011 and more than 20 kits have been supplied to potential builders.
First example of the type completed in this region was registered in New Zealand in late 2012, being followed by an example completed under RAA Regulations at Watts Bridge, QLD.