To improve the performance of the Nieuport 10 a re-engined version was developed as the Nieuport 12 with a significantly enlarged upper wing. A Lewis gun was fitted to the rear cockpit for use by the observer, normally on an Etévé ring (known as the Nieuport ring in British service) although early examples used a pedestal mount or half ring. A second Lewis was sometimes fitted to fire over the top wing. Nieuport 12s built by Beardmore used by the Royal Flying Corps were sometimes fitted with a Scarff ring instead of the Nieuport ring, and a synchronizedVickers gun for the pilot. Additional modifications were made to those built by Beardmore.
It could be fitted with either a 100hp (75kW) Clerget, 130hp (97kW)Clerget 9B engine or 110hp (82kW)Le Rhône 9J mounted in the nose.
Variants
Nieuport 12bis of Escadrille N69Nieuport 12bis C.2
Nieuport 12 A.2
Two-seat fighter-reconnaissance biplane, powered by 110hp (82kW)Clerget 9Z engine.[2] or 110hp (82kW)Le Rhône 9J.
Nieuport 12bis C.2
Revised version with 130hp (97kW)Clerget 9B engine and streamlined side fairings.[3]
Nieuport 13
Two prototypes with increased span but same nominal wing area as 12. One powered by a 140hp (100kW)Hispano-Suiza 8, and the other by an 80hp (60kW)Le Rhône 9C.
Nieuport 20
Version powered by 110hp (82kW)Le Rhône 9J. Not used by France, but 21 delivered to Royal Flying Corps.[4] All but first examples externally similar to 12bis.
23 meter Nieuport
Unofficial generic designation for all types listed here based on nominal wing area of 23 square meters.