Nieuport 83

The Nieuport 83 was an advanced trainer based on the Nieuport 10 two-seat observation aircraft. The Nieuport 83 was very similar to the original aircraft, sharing the same 80hp engine. It had a single communal cockpit for the two crew, but only had controls in the rear position. It had vertical interplane struts and straight ailerons, and had the smallest wing area of any of the Nieuport 80 family of trainers. It was also the most similar to the original aircraft, but was produced in 1917-18, well after the original aircraft had been withdrawn.

The Nieuport 83 was the last in a series of four aircraft used by pupils at the French flying school at Pau. After early training on the Nieuport 82 and Nieuport 81 the pupils made their first solo flight on the Nieuport 80 and finally moved on to the Nieuport 83 as a final step before receiving their pilot's certificate.

The United States Air Service received 244 Nieuport 83s, which were used at the American Expeditionary Force flying school at Issoudun.

The Nieuport 83 was produced under licence in Japan. The Japanese bought a single Nieuport 80 after the First World War, and then imported a small number of Nieuport 83s in 1919. They then signed a licensing agreement, and the type was built by Nakajima. It was given the designation Ko.2. Production began in March 1922 and the type was used by the army flying schools at Tokorozawa and Kagamigahara until 1926.

Brazil received fourteen Nieuport 83s in 1919, where they were used at the Escola de Aviacao Militar at Campos dos Afonsos. Brazil also received a number of Nieuport 80s and 81s. All three types were retired in 1924.

Portugal purchased seven Nieuport 83E.2s in 1916, very early in the aircraft's history.

Uruguay bought six Nieuport 83s in 1921. They were based at Paso de Mondoza, where they were later joined by twenty-four Nieuport 27s.

Engine: Le Rhône
Power: 80hp
Crew: 2
Span: 25.9ft
Length: 23ft

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How to cite this article: Rickard, J (20 February 2015), Nieuport 83, http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_nieuport_83.html

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