Dorand AR
Service technique de l'aéronautique · France · first flew 1916 · light aircraft
The Dorand AR was a French two-seat biplane used for artillery observation and reconnaissance on the Western Front during World War I. It was designed by Colonel Dorand at the Service technique de l'aéronautique and equipped many French escadrilles.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.96 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- World War I French two-seat observation and artillery spotting biplane
- Designed by Colonel Dorand at STAé
- Replaced the aging Farman types on the Western Front
A typical WWI French two-seat biplane with a tractor engine, equal-span unswept wings, and conventional tail; less distinctive than the Salmson 2 but broadly similar in layout to the Nieuport 12.
Specifications
- The Dorand AR has a length of 8.96 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.27 m (44 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 150 km/h (93 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in 1917, the Dorand AR (AR.1 and AR.2) replaced older types in the observation role. It was produced in considerable numbers and served alongside the Nieuport two-seaters and Salmson 2. The AR.2 featured an improved engine and remained in front-line use until the end of the war, though it was generally considered inferior to contemporary Allied and German observation types.
Variants
The AR.1 and AR.2 were the primary variants, the latter featuring the more powerful Renault 8G engine.
Where you'll see it
Served French aviation escadrilles on the Western Front from 1917 to 1918; also used briefly by the American Expeditionary Forces.
Related aircraft
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