The Nieuport 16 was an evolution of the Nieuport 11, reinforced and modified to fit a new, more powerful engine, and used as a fighter, bomber escort, and in balloon busting. It was armed with a single Lewis machine–gun, set in a difficult to reach position over the upper wing and when used in balloon busting with four Le Prieur rockets on each side. With a top speed of over 100 mph, it was superior to its predecessors, but lacked in maneuverability; still, it represented an important stepping stone for the Nieuport line. Considered a “lone wolf,” Albert Ball was a British ace scoring multiple victories on this Nieuport, including the destruction of an observation balloon with phosphor bombs.
