This is one of the newest machines France has at her disposal. It is a happy combination of British and French make, due to the collaboration of two firms, the Bristol Company and La Société Breguet.
The result of the combination is said to be eminently satisfactory. A distinguishing feature of this machine is rapid dismantlement. There are two pairs of wings. These are identical, interchangeable, and connected in each case by a flexible partition, which permits of the wings being laterally straightened up. The area of this interesting machine is 39 square metres; length, 8.90 metres; span, 11.50 metres.
The Destroyer Nieuport Monoplane.
During this year, even before the outbreak of war, the aëroplane had been well armoured and armed. A striking example of an armoured air-scouting machine is the Nieuport monoplane. This type has obtained brilliant result. Equipped with pilot, bombs, and armament it has flown at the rate of 145 kilometres an hour, risen at the rate of 500 metres in 3 minutes 45 seconds, made its departure and landed within an enclosure of 150 square metres.
This monoplane has 24 square metres of surface, and weighs more than 1,000 kgs. The armoury is carried out by a cuirass of steel or nickel plates, which cover the vital front parts and the place where the pilot sits.
Armoured Clement-Bayard Monoplane.
This new type is exceedingly well armoured, the protective caps covering the motor and the middle of the machine.
The following are the dimensions, etc.:—
| Length | 5.60 metres |
| Span | 9.50 metres |
| Area | 18 sq. metres |
| Motor | 100 h.p. Gnome |
| Weight | 415 kgs. |
| Speed | 150 km. per hour |
On June 6th last the French military aviators with their armoured and armed aëroplanes were reviewed at Villacoublay by General Joffre and General Bernard, the director of military aëronautics. Amongst the types of aëroplanes present was the Dorand biplane, having two Gnome motors driving separate screws, armoured in its vital parts, and armed with a Hotchkiss mitrailleuse. This was mounted on a pivot, and could be fired in almost every direction. There were, too, the Morane-Saulnier, Blériot-Gouin, Nieuport, and Breguet-Bristol types.