Bréguet 17

The Bréguet 17 was a two-seat biplane fighter developed in France towards the end of World War I and operated by that country during the 1920s.

17
Bréguet 17 C.2 in 1922.
Role Heavy fighter
Manufacturer Bréguet
First flight 1918
Primary user French Army
Number built ca. 100

Design and development

The Bréguet 17 was a derivative of the highly successful 14 bomber, but somewhat scaled down and carrying a more powerful engine and heavier machine gun armament in place of a bomb load. The French Army was impressed enough to place orders for 1,000 of these aircraft during 1918, to be delivered the following year. The end of World War I ended these plans, but some limited production did take place into the early 1920s.

Operational history

The type was operated as the Bre.17C.2 with several escadrilles as a supplement to existing aircraft, but never formed the basis for any one unit on its own. A single example was converted into a prototype night fighter, but no production ensued.

Variants
Bre.17C.2
Main production version.
Bre.17
Night fighter prototype.

Operators
 France

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: two, pilot and gunner
  • Length: 8.10 m (26 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 14.28 m (46 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 3.42 m (11 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 43.3 m2 (466 sq ft)
  • Gross weight: 1,840 kg (4,056 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Renault 12K1 , 336 kW (450 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 218 km/h (135 mph, 117 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 7,500 m (24,610 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 5.8 m/s (1,140 ft/min)

Armament

  • 2 × fixed, forward-firing 7.7 mm (.303 in) Vickers machine guns
  • 2 × trainable, rearward-firing 7.7 mm (.303 in) Lewis Guns in ring mount in rear cockpit
  • 1 × trainable, downward-firing 7.7 mm (.303 in) Lewis gun through trap door in rear cockpit
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References
    • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 198.
    • World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 890 Sheet 80.
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