J.Davilla, A.Soltan French Aircraft of the First World War (Flying Machines)

Bernard A.B.1, A.B.2, A.B.3, and A.B.4

  The Bernard firm had produced SPAD 13s and 16s under license and in 1918 responded to the BN2 specification for a medium night bomber. The aircraft, designated A.B.1, was in competition with the Breguet 16, Farman F.50, and Voisin 11.
  The A.B.1 was a biplane powered by two 180-hp Hispano-Suiza engines. The fuselage was made of wood and had a rectangular cross-section. The engines were suspended between the upper and lower wings with the two propellers positioned only inches from the pilot's cockpit. A set of M- shaped struts supported the engines from the top wing and a set of W-shaped struts supported them from the bottom wing. The undercarriage consisted of a pair of wheels below each of the engines. The tail was of conventional configuration with a single rudder and horizontal tailplane. The wing had two bays of struts outboard of each engine. The top wing was longer than the lower and there were ailerons on both the upper and lower wings. Protection was provided by a gunner/bombardier in the nose firing a single 7.7-mm machine gun. As all raids were to take place at night, this was considered an adequate defense.
  The Farman F.50 and Breguet 16 were selected for production. However, the Bernard design had compared favorably in terms of speed and bomb load, and an order was placed for ten aircraft. None of the Bernard A.B.1s was ever used operationally, and it appears that none was ever assigned to an escadrille.
  In an attempt to improve the aircraft's performance, Bernard substituted two Hispano-Suiza engines of 200-hp. Despite the improvement in performance created by the new engines, the Bernard A.B.2, as it was designated, was not chosen for production.
  Postwar, the company attempted to sell the machine as a postal aircraft designated A.B.3 or a postal/passenger carrier designated A.B.4. Both types could use either two 180-hp or 200-hp Hispano-Suiza engines. The 1919 company brochure assured prospective customers that the all-wood construction insured a sturdy airframe which would withstand great stresses in any climate. Furthermore, the Hispano-Suiza engines were touted as having the distinct advantage of being available in large numbers at low prices.
  The A.B.3 was to be used as a mailplane and could carry 905 kg of cargo. Only a single A.B.3 was built.
  The A.B.4 was an airliner version of the projected A.B.2 bomber and could carry up to seven passengers. Only a single example was built.


Bernard A.B.1 Bn2 Night Bomber with Two 180-hp Hispano-Suiza Engines
   Span 18.95 m; length 11.30 m; height 3.65 m; wing area 83 sq. m
   Empty weight 1,660 kg; loaded weight 2,895 kg
   Maximum speed: 161 km/h at 2000 m; ceiling 4,900 m; climb to 4,000 m in 15 minutes 45 second
   Armament: one 7.7-mm machine gun
   Ten built

Bernard A.B.2 Bn2 Night Bomber with Two 200-hp Hispano-Suiza Engines
   Data as A.B.1 except: Empty weight 1,640 kg; loaded weight 3,084 kg; bomb load 640 kg
   Maximum speed: 180 km/h
   One built

Bernard A.B.3 Mail Plane with Two 180-hp or 200hp Hispano-Suiza Engines
   Data as A.B.1 except: Span 19.47 m; wing area 83 sq. m
   Empty weight (180-hp HS) 1,570 kg; empty weight (200-hp HS) 1,660 kg; loaded weight (180-hp HS) 2,923 kg; loaded weight (200-hp HS) 3,163 kg
   Maximum speed: 160 km/h at 2,000 m; climb to 2,000 min 14 minutes; climb to 4,000 min 40 minutes; ceiling 4,900 m
   One built

Bernard A.B.4 Airliner with Two 200-hp Hispano-Suiza Engines
   Dimensions identical to A.B.3
   Empty weight (180-hp HS) 1,600 kg, empty weight (200-hp HS) 1,690 kg; loaded weight (180-hp HS) 2,953kg; loaded weight (200-hp HS) 3,193 kg
   Maximum speed: 165 km/h at 2,000 m; climb to 2,000 m in 16 minutes, climb to 4,000 min 49 minutes; ceiling 5,300 m
   One built