The Nieuport 28 first flew in June 1918 and about 300 were built. They were not used by the French but flew instead with the US Army Air Corps and became the first aircraft to see operational service with an American fighter squadron. This example was purchased from Cole Palen by the Smithsonian Institute in 1986. It had originally been flown during airshows at Old Rhinebeck between 1958 and 1972 but had more recently been only on static display. During restoration it was discovered that she was a very complex composite using components from five different aircraft. The Smithsonian’s website gives the details as follows:- Fuselage has serial 6497 on the firewall Port upper wing is dated February 1919 with serial 7103 Starboard upper wing is dated February 1919 with serial 7226 Port lower wing is dated November 1918 with serial 6465 Starboard lower wing is dated October 1918 with serial 6432 Beautifully restored to 1918 condition, she is seen on display in the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center as part of the National Air and Space Museum. Washington Dulles International Airport, Chantilly, Virginia