"He was reckless to such a degree that his commanding officers had to caution him repeatedly about the senselessness of his lack of caution. His bravery was so notorious that we all knew he would either achieve some great spectacular success or be killed in the attempt. Even the pilots in his own flight would beg him to conserve himself and wait for a fair opportunity for a victory. But Quentin would merely laugh away all serious advice."
- Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, Commander of the 94th Aero Squadron, in his memoirs discussing 2nd Lt. Quentin Roosevelt

The Nieuport 28 (N.28C-1) was a French biplane fighter aircraft flown during World War I, built by Nieuport and designed by Gustave Delage. Owing its lineage to the successful line of sesquiplane fighters that included the Nieuport 17, the Nieuport 28 continued a similar design philosophy of a lightweight and highly maneuverable aircraft.

The SPAD XIII was standardized by the Aronautique Militaire as the equipment of its own escadrilles de chasse (fighter squadrons) for 1918. The SPAD was also the first choice of the United States Air Service - however a shortage of SPADs led to the available production Nieuport 28s equipping four American squadrons between March and August 1918. It thus became the first aircraft to see operational service with an American fighter squadron.

Nieuport 28s saw considerable post-war service: in particular 50 "returned" to America, and as well as army and naval service these found civilian use, especially in Hollywood films.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a french-built U.S. Air Service Nieuport 28C. 1 biplane fighter that was piloted by 2nd Lt. Quentin Roosevelt, youngest son of President Theodore Roosevelt who was attached to the 95th Aero Squadron, on July 14th, 1918. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 4-inches
Wingspan: 5-inches

Release Date: September 2015

Historical Account: "Quentin" - Quentin Roosevelt (November 19th, 1897 - July 14th, 1918) was the youngest son of President Theodore Roosevelt. Family and friends agreed that Quentin had many of his father's positive qualities and few of the negative ones. Inspired by his father and siblings, he joined the United States Army Air Service where he became a pursuit pilot during World War I. Extremely popular with his fellow pilots and known for being daring, he was killed in aerial combat over France on Bastille Day, July 14th, 1918.

Quentin's plane (a Nieuport 28) was shot down in aerial combat over Chamery, near Coulonges-en-Tardenois. He was felled by two machine gun bullets which struck him in the head. The German military buried him with full battlefield honors. Since the plane had crashed so near the front lines, they used two pieces of basswood saplings, bound together with wire from his Nieuport, to fashion a cross for his grave. For propaganda purposes, they made a postcard of the dead pilot and his plane. However, this was met with shock in Germany, which still held Theodore Roosevelt in high respect and was impressed that a former president's son died on active duty. According to his service record, the site was at Marne Grave #1 Isolated Commune #102, Coulongue Aisne. The French government awarded him the Croix de Guerre with Palm.