"For extraordinary heroism in action near Chateau Thierry, France, 2 July 1918, Lt. O'Neill and four other pilots attacked twelve enemy battle planes. In a battle within the enemy's lines, they brought down three German planes, one of which was credited to Lt. O'Neill."
- First citation to the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), Lt. Ralph Ambrose O'Neill

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. Ralph A. O'Neill, who was attached to 147th Aero Squadron during 1918. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: December 2017

Historical Account: "From Mexico with Love" - Ralph Ambrose O'Neill (December 7th, 1896 - October 23rd, 1980) was a flying ace from World War I credited with five aerial victories.

O'Neill was born in Durango, Durango, Mexico on December 17th, 1896, to an American father and a Mexican mother. He was raised in the United States and entered the United States Air Service in August 1917. In March 1918, he was assigned to the 147th Aero Squadron, flying the Nieuport 28 and the SPAD S.XIII. From July 2nd to October 31st, 1918, teaming with such squadron mates as Kenneth Porter, James Meissner, Francis Simonds, and James Healy, he shot down five German airplanes. He won a Distinguished Service Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Croix de Guerre with palm in the process.

After the war, he returned to the United States and left the U.S. Air Service on February 19th, 1919.