Miscellaneous French

Dorand AR.1 A2 by JOYSTICK MODELS 1/72 scale, Vacuform.

The AR types were designed to replace the older Farman 40's serving on the Western Front. The first planes were delivered in the spring, 1917 and servied until the end of the war. Eighteen French escadrilles were equipped with the AR1 and AR2 and five escadrilles served on the Italian front.

The AR type was slow but they were well armed and carried a useful bomb load. They were being withdrawn from active service toward the end of the war and were replaced by the Salmson.

This model depicits AR1 No.309 captured by the Germans and subject of a detailed technical report. This report is the only surviving detailed description of the AR.1. Reference material is found in Windsock Vol 6, No.5 Sept/Oct 1990 and Vol 7 No.1 Jan/Feb 1991.

Bleriot XI by NOVO AIR KITS 1/72 scale, Injection Mold.

On July 25, 1909, Louis Bleriot made the first crossing of the English Channel. The 40 kilometers flight took 36 minutes 30 seconds at an altitude of 100m. The flight not only put an end to isolation of the British Isles but the military experts of the nations were forced to recognize the great improvements achieved in heavier-than-air flight.

This kit is a re-release of the FROG kit and is built OOB.