W.Green, G.Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters

DESCAMPS 27 France

   Formerly the chief engineer of the Anatra factory at Odessa in South Russia, Elisee Alfred Descamps returned to France after the Russian revolution and designed a single-seat fighter, the Descamps 27, which was flown for the first time in the spring of 1919. Powered by a 300 hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb eight-cylinder water-cooled engine and carrying an armament of two synchronised 7,7-mm Vickers guns, the Descamps 27 was a two-bay biplane, but its configuration was unusual in that the lower wing featured pronounced forward sweep to improve the forward and downward view of the pilot. Twin box-like radiators flanked the cockpit. Although the fighter was found to have a good performance during official trials, choice fell on the similarly-powered Nieuport 29 and further development of the Descamps 27 was abandoned.

Max speed, 143 mph (230 km/h) at sea level, 107 mph (172 km/h) at 22,965 ft (7000 m).
Time to 6,560 ft (2 000 m), 4.76 min.
Endurance, 2 hrs.
Empty weight, 1,614 lb (732 kg).
Loaded weight, 2,361 lb (1071 kg).
Span, 32 ft 3 4/5 in (9,85 m).
Length, 22 ft 9 5/8 in (6,95 m).
Height, 8 ft 5 1/4 in (2,57 m).
Wing area, 248.65 sq ft (23,10 m2).