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

Dorand

  Colonel Emile Dorand would play a critical role in the development of French civil and military aviation before and during the First World War. In 1908 he designed a biplane kite later modified to a triplane. Powered by a 43-hp Anzani engine, it became known as the Militaire Avion. The next year he designed the Laboratorie, a biplane powered with a 60-hp Renault and fitted with instruments. A similar but smaller plane was planned with the assistance of Gustave Eiffel. A biplane powered by a 70-hp Renault was designed in 1911. It had a loaded weight of 1,200 kg and a maximum speed of 82 km/h.


Dorand DO.1

  In 1914 General Bernard issued a specification for armored planes intended for short- and long-range reconnaissance, bomber, and scout missions. Bleriot, Breguet, Clement-Bayard, Deperdussin, Dorand, Ponnier, and Voisin all produced planes to meet this requirement.
  Dorand's entry was the DO.1, powered by a single 85-hp Anzani engine. A small number were built but further development was abandoned. As with other armored planes of this period, it was discovered that the engines were not powerful enough to give the DO.1 an adequate performance while
  Several DO.1s were used to form DO 14 (not to be confused with V 14, which was an entirely different escadrille) at Belfort on 14 December 1914. DO 14 was intended to use the Dorands only on a temporary basis until other planes could be supplied. It was assigned to the 7th Armee at Epinal. DO 14 supported the 7th Armee in its attacks on Hartmannswillerkopf and Richackerhoff. It re-equipped with M.F.11s in early 1915.
  Six DO.1s formed Escadrille DO 22 in August 1914. The unit was based at Villacoublay, commanded by Capitaine Leclere. DO 22 was assigned to the 4lh Armee and participated in the Battle of the Marne. It flew reconnaissance missions over Chalons-sur-Marne and was based al Suippes. The performance of the DO.1 suggests that the formation of DO 22 was also an interim step pending the availability of a more suitable plane. Indeed, only three months alter its formation, DO 22 was re-equipped with M.F.11s and was re-designated MF 22 on 14 November, 1914.
  A few of the Dorands were assigned to V 14 to escort that unit's Voisin 3s, but they were also quickly withdrawn from front-line service.


Dorand DO.1 Armored Biplane Two-Seat Reconnaissance Aircraft with 85-hp Anzani
   Wing span 19 m; wing area 50 sq. m
   Maximum speed 110 km/h at 1,000 m; ceiling 2,800 m; endurance 4 hours