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

Renault O1 Bomber

  The Renault O1 was designed to fill the BN2 specification for a night bomber capable of carrying 500 kg of bombs. The aircraft was to be powered by two of the firm's own 420-hp engines. The project was delayed for several months, but construction began later in 1918. By this time the Renault firm had decided to equip the bomber with 450-hp engines.
  Construction was undertaken at Renault's O factory at Billancourt; hence, the bomber was designated the O1. It was completed near the time of the Armistice and stored in a hangar at Villacoublay. It is not known if the O1 ever flew. However, the end of the war appears to have brought further development of the plane to an end. It was returned to Billancourt, where it was later destroyed.


Renault O1 Bomber with Two 450-hp Renault Engines
   Loaded weight 6,500 kg, payload 1,200 kg
   Maximum speed (estimated): 160 km/h at 4,500 m
   One built



Renault Fighter

  The British Ministry of Munitions report for May 1918 lists a single-seat biplane fighter as being under construction by the Renault firm. The engine was to have been a 400-hp Renault 12J. Known specifications included an empty weight of 1,700 kg, loaded weight of 2,280 kg and a military load of 150 kg. Estimated performance included a maximum speed of 220 km/h at 4,000 m, and the fighter was to have been able to reach 4,000 m in 12 minutes. It is not known if construction of was completed.