Hundreds of spectators were present for the Noon
Patrol's Nieuport first flight last Sunday morning. The test began well
with a successful high speed taxi. Following a normal takeoff and
climbout pilot Jerry Stevens reported that the Nieuport flew well, with
no trim or control problems. After 25 minutes in the air the VW 1835 engine began
losing power. Jerry was not able make the runway and made a forced
landing short of the airport. The aircraft nosed over. Jerry was not
injured. The gear is damaged, as is the right lower wing, the
left upper wing tip, the lower right fuselage longeron tube, and the
rudder, as well as the cowl, prop, and engine. This aircraft will be
repaired. An engine teardown discovered that the distributor
wasn't sufficiently tight and had gradually rotated, retarding the
ignition. Read Jerry's report about the teardown here Teardown.
Thusday, June 12
Click on small picture to view large version.
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Noon Patrol test pilot Jerry Stevens before the flight. |
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Large crowd gathered to see the first flight of the Noon Patrol's first Nieuport. |
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Jerry's son Zack observes as Jerry gets ready for the first flight. |
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Members of the Noon Patrol prepare for the test flight. |
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The crowd watches as the Nieuport taxies out. |
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The high speed taxi test. |
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Another high speed taxi test. |
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Finally the Nieuport leaves the ground for the first time. |
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The Nieuport flies. |
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It climbs out. |
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The Nieuport in flight. |
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Moments after the Nieuport started losing power, landed short of the runway and nosed over. Noon Patrol members Clay Kesterson and Al Cleveland were at the scene in 15 seconds, righted the aircraft and Jerry was out unharmed in about 30 seconds. |
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Damage to the Nieuport was extensive, but test pilot Jerry (sunglasses) was not injured. "The noseover was like slow motion" said Jerry, "My helmet never even touched the the ground." |
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Close, but... The Nieuport almost made the runway. |
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Jerry poses with Nieuport after the first flight and forced landing. |
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The Nieuport returns to the hanger on a trailer. |
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The Noon Patrol prepares to go back to work. |
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The engine is torn down and examined. Read Jerry's report here. |