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

Descamps Type 27 C1

  In 1918 the STAe issued a new requirement for a fighter to replace the SPAD 13. The C1 requirement called for a single-seat fighter with two machine guns (either 7.7-mm or 11-mm). Alternative armament was to be one machine gun and a 37-mm cannon and, possibly, twin machine guns on a swivel mount. Potential variants were to include photo-reconnaissance versions and an escort fighter (protege). Choices of engines included the Gnome 9Nc, Hispano-Suiza 8B, ABC Dragonfly, Salmson 9Z, and 300-hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb. The aircraft designed to use the latter engine included the SPAD 18 Ca, SPAD 20, SPAD 21 and 22, Nieuport-Delage 29, Hanriot HD 7, De Marcay 2, SAB 1, Moineau, Semenaud, and Descamps 27.
  Descamps was chief designer with the Anatra factory in Russia. He returned to France later in the war and designed the Descamps fighter, which he designated the Type 27. The plane may have been produced with the cooperation of the Voisin firm. It had a rotund fuselage with a huge spinner. The top wing was conventional but the lower wing had an inverse taper with a negative stagger. The reason for this unusual design is not clear but it may have been intended to provide the pilot with an improved downward view. Horn-balanced ailerons were on the lower wing only. The prototype was armed with two Vickers machine guns completely enclosed in the fuselage. Two radiators were mounted on either side of the fuselage.
  The aircraft was evaluated by the STAe in September I 918. On the basis of STAe testing it was modified. Changes included revisions to the center section struts. Further tests revealed other defects and additional changes were made. The airframe was strengthened, the undercarriage V-struts were repositioned, and Lamblin radiators were fitted.
  Flight testing began in 1918 and continued until near the end of 1919. The aircraft performed well, but by the time testing was completed the excellent Nieuport 29 had been selected for production and the Descamps 27 was not developed further.


Descamps Type 27 C1 Single-Seat Fighter with 300-hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb
   Span 9.85 m; length 6.95 m; height 2.57 m; wing area 25.10 sq. m Empty weight 732 kg; loaded weight 1,071 kg
   Maximum speed: 230 km/h al ground level: 172 km/h at 7,000 m; climb to 2,000 m in 4 minutes 46 seconds; climb to 5,000 m in 18 minutes 56 seconds; ceiling 6,800 m. endurance two hours
   Armament: two 7.7-mm Vickers machine guns
   One built