The Classic French Two-Seater: The Breguet Br14
Pt.1 French and American Service
The Breguet Br14 was one of the most widely used two-seater aircraft
of the First World War, with most of the Allied powers making use of it
in either its reconnaisance ( A2) or bombing (B2) variants. There are
many visual differences between the two types, with the most obvious being
the addition of 'windows' on each side of the observor's cockpit on the
B2.
Postwar it found use among the air forces of the numerous emerging powers.
In a future article I shall show some of these aircraft. For this article
we shall concentrate on some French and American aircraft.
Breguet Br.14 B2 1168
Escadrille Br.66
This BR14 B2 can be seen in the typical French "light yellow"
finish, where the metal areas are painted in a shade similar to that of
the fabric covered areas. The insignia of BR.66 was an Egyptian style
Falcon in a reddish orange colour. Following the Armistice, Br.66 was
'lent' to Poland, who took over its aircraft and renamed the unit 66.Eskadra.
Breguetow.
Breguet Br.14 B2 Serial Unknown
Escadrille Br.107
Another unit to use Egyptian imagery (or possibly Aztec) in their insignia
was Br.107 who used a winged cobra on their aircraft. The tail of this
aircraft is overpainted in an unknown dark colour to allow the Cross of
Lorraine to better stand out against the background.
Breguet Br.14 B2 12203
Escadrille Br.129
Br.129 made use of a vagabond bunny as their unit insignia. Individual
aircraft carried various designs on the fuselage. Those shown here are
entirely speculative in colour.
Breguet BR.14 A2 779
Escadrille No.202
"Gabrielle" is another yellow finished Breguet. The unit insignia
was a stealthy devil carrying a pedestal or some such item. The colour
of the band is specualtive. . it is partially hidden behind figures in
the foreground, so may be more extensive than depicted.
Breguet Br.14 A2 70(?)
Escadrille Br.209
Yet another yellow Breguet is Jane IV of Br.209. The serial may be as
low as 70, or 700+
Breguet 14 A2 4948
1st Flight
9th Aero Sqn USAS
The 9th Aero Sqn spent a good deal of time flying nocturnal missions
in the closing days of WWI, hence the aircraft of its First and Second
flights were painted overall black. Postwar those of the First Flight
added a mouth and eye. The unit insignia of searchlight beams forming
an "IX" were also postwar additions. 4948 carried an additional
pattern on its fin, the colours of which are unknown.
Breguet Br. 14 A2
2nd Flight
9th Aero Sqn USAS
The Second Flight marked their aircraft with a swastika on the fin.
The interior colour of which is also unknown. This aircraft carried the
name "JIMMY" below the pilot's cockpit.
Breguet Br14.A2 4937
2/Lt Bruce Struthers
3rd Flight
9th Aero Sqn USAS
The Third Flight remained in French five-colour camouflage, with red/white
checks on the fin and tailplane. 4937 is seen here at two stages in its
career ... originally the red checks were painted directly on the camouflaged
fin and, unique tho this aircraft, the aft fuselage. Later these were
filled in with white as seen below. Of note is the complete lack of all
armament - including the Scarff mount in the rear cockpit.
Breguet Br14.A2 4937
2/Lt Bruce Struthers
3rd Flight
9th Aero Sqn USAS
Breguet Br14 A2 4891
Capt James A Summersett
OC, 96th Aero Sqn
The 96th AS used a bomb tossing devil as their insignia.
References
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Over the Front 2/2: American Breguets by Greg VanWyngarden and Alan
Toelle
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Over the Front 3/4: American Breguets pt.2
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Over the Front 11/3: Breguet 14 by Greg VanWyngarden
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Cross & Cockade 21/3: The Breguet 14
-
French Aircraft of the First World War: Davilla and Soltan
Just a reminder that any of the markings seen in the Internet Modeler
profile pages are available as ALPS decals in whatever scale desired.
Contact Chris Banyai-Riepl
or myself for further details
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