tonal Nieuport 17 ‘N1531’, Lt. Georges Guynemer, Escadrille N3, Summer 1916.
Lieutenant Georges Guynemer was one of France’s most celebrated World War I fighter pilots, achieving 54 confirmed aerial victories, making him one of the top French aces of the war. Serving with the Escadrille N.3 he became renowned for his skill, courage, and relentless pursuit of enemy aircraft, earning the nickname “L’As des As” (Ace of Aces). His notable awards include the Légion d’Honneur and numerous Croix de Guerre citations, reflecting his bravery and impact on French air superiority. Guynemer’s career ended tragically when he disappeared on September 11, 1917, after failing to return from a combat mission near Poelkapelle, Belgium.
This profile depicts the first version of 1531, with a factory windscreen and the first cigogne artwork. The feathers on the first version of this aircraft ranged from medium gray to near black in value, but definitely do not match the body. This would indicate the feathers are red, and the tonal variation in photos is due to the use of orthochromatic film for the images where the feathers appear nearly black. As multiple photos show both the bird and the blue of the national markings, and in most the body and feathers are both distinctly darker than the blue, it is my assumption that no blue was used for the cigogne artwork. At a later time, a new larger windscreen would be added, and a different cigogne artwork applied, This later version of the cigogne would (in the available photos) lacks the leg and beak. This new art was possibly applied after a repair to the port side fabric, as in one photo this area looks lighter than the wood panel immediately forward of the cigogne, yet photos of the aircraft after Guynemer’s propeller accident (which resulted in him getting N1530 as his new aircraft) show the original style cigogne still on the starboard side of the aircraft. Also of note is the single-piece spun cowl, and the openings for the two elevator control wires in the side of the fuselage are approximately 5 inches forward of the standard position.
Click the gallery thumbnail below for a larger view of this aircraft.
