The Nieuport 17 was one of the best French fighters of the First World War.

Many hundreds served with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service and were very popular with their pilots and ground crews. Canadian ace Billy Bishop scored 47 of his 72 kills while flying a Nieuport 17, winning the Victoria Cross and becoming the second highest scoring British Empire pilot.

Our 7/8 scale replica was built by Jack Blair and flew with a modern Rotax engine. After Jack’s death it was donated to the Museum by his widow in 1993. The replica rotary engine was built by volunteer Jeff Phillips.