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

Paul Schmitt 10 B2

  The Paul Schmitt 10 was built in 1917 and represented an attempt to produce an updated version of the obsolete PS 7 B2. It was given a more powerful 300-hp Renault 12Fe. Like the earlier PS 6 and 7, the PS 10 did not feature variable incidence wings. It had a three-bay wing, and, unlike Schmitt's previous designs, the wings were of unequal span, the lower being shorter.
  The Paul Schmitt 7 had suffered heavy losses at least in part due to its inadequate defensive armament. Schmitt seemed determined to correct this deficiency by fitting the Type 10 with three machine guns. One was mounted on a revolving stand used by the rear gunner. A second gun, fired by the pilot, was synchronized to fire through the propeller. Finally, a third gun was mounted so that the gunner could fire through the floor of the aircraft. The plane carried 250 kg of fuel and 480 kg of bombs. The Paul Schmitt 10 B2 was tested in October 1917. It was recorded in Janes All the Worlds Aircraft for 1920 that "because of its remarkable efficiency, it was adopted by the Army as soon as it began production." In fact, no Paul Schmitt 10s were ever used by the Aviation Militaire, possibly because the superior Breguet 14 B2 was already entering service with the day bombing escadrilles. A contemporary report states that development of the P.S.10 had been abandoned by May 1918.


Paul Schmitt 10 Two-Seat Bomber with 300-hp Renault 12Fe
   Span 14.650 m; length 9.105 m; height 3.585 m; wing area 48.910 sq. m
   Empty weight 1,150 kg; loaded weight 1,880 kg
   Maximum speed: 169 km/h at 5,000 m; climb to 2,000 m in 9 minutes 50 seconds; endurance 3 hours 30 minutes
   Armament: one synchronized machine gun fired by the pilot and two machine guns fired by the observer; 480 kg of bombs



Paul Schmitt Floatplane

  The Paul Schmitt floatplane was similar to the Paul Schmitt 10 B2 and may have been a development of that aircraft. Both were powered by a 300-hp Renault 12Fe. In place of the undercarriage there was a large centerline float flanked by two smaller floats. A crew of two, a pilot and observer/gunner, was carried. The armament was identical to the Schmitt 10: a gun synchronized through the propeller, a second gun fired by the observer, and a third gun in the belly of the airplane. There were shutters in the floor that could be opened by the pilot during the bomb run, enabling him to judge the best time to release the bombs. The aircraft could carry 285 kg of fuel and 295 kg of bombs. The floatplane was intended for the patrol/light bomber role. An unknown number were purchased by the Aviation Maritime. When the United States entered the war, the French supplied them with a number of Paul Schmitt floatplanes. At least one was at the U.S. naval aviation base at St. Trojan. It was subsequently sent to the U.S. where it was given the U.S. Navy serial number A-5636. Others were supplied to the U.S. naval aviation base at Moutich. In U.S. service the Paul Schmitt seaplane was used primarily as a trainer. At least one was fitted with a 370-hp Liberty engine.


Paul Schmitt Two-Seat Floatplane with a 300-hp Renault 12Fe
   Span 1 5.650 m; length 10.450 m; height 4 m; wing area 52 sq. m
   Empty weight 1,425 kg; loaded weight 2,005 kg
   Maximum speed: 195 km/h at sea level; climb to 3,000 m in 17 minutes 5 seconds; endurance 3 hours 45 minutes
   Armament: one synchronized machine gun fired by the pilot and two machine guns fired by the observer; 295 kg of bombs



Paul Schmitt C2

  The Schmitt firm had a two-seat fighter under construction in 1918, a biplane powered by a 400-hp Lorraine engine. The Paul Schmitt C2 was never selected for service with the Aviation Militaire; indeed, it is uncertain construction of the aircraft was ever completed.


Paul Schmitt Two-Seat Fighter with 400-hp Lorraine (Provisional Data)
   Wing area 49 sq. m
   Empty weight 1,052 kg; loaded weight 1,633 kg
   Maximum speed (estimated): 130 mph at 4,000m; climb to 4,000 m in 14 minutes



Paul Schmitt BN3/4

  In late 1917 Paul Schmitt designed a heavy bomber to meet the BN3/4 (night bomber with three or four crew members). It was to have been a biplane powered by four 200-hp Hispano-Suiza engines. The design remained a project only and further development had been abandoned by April 1918.


Paul Schmitt Three- Or Four-Seat Bomber with Four 200-hp Hispano-Suiza Engines (estimated data)
   Wing area 412 sq. m
   Empty weight 2,425 kg; loaded weight 4,310 kg; payload 1,000 kg
   Maximum speed (estimated): 103 mph at 4,000 m, climb to 4,000 m in 23 minutes; endurance 5 hours