Bernard SIMB AB 14

The Bernard SIMB AB 14 was a 1920s French single-seat sesquiplane fighter aircraft designed and built by the Société Industrielle des Métaux et du Bois (SIMB).[1][2] With a reluctance of the French authorities to purchase monoplanes the Bernard 14 was designed as a sesquiplane with Y-form struts bracing the wings on each side.[1] It was powered by a Hispano-Suiza 12Hb inline piston engine and had a fixed tailskid landing gear.[1] While on a test flight on 22 February 1926 the aircraft suffered a catastrophic structural failure of the upper wing and the only Bernard 14 was destroyed.[1]

AB 14
Role Single-seat sesquiplane fighter aircraft
National origin France
Manufacturer Société Industrielle des Métaux et du Bois (SIMB), sometimes referred to as Ferbois
Designer Jean Hubert
First flight 1925
Retired 1926
Number built 1
Variants Bernard SIMB AB 15

Specifications

Data from [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 7.40 m (24 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 12.50 m (41 ft 0 in)
  • Height: 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 27 m2 (290 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,240 kg (2,734 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,800 kg (3,968 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hispano-Suiza 12Hb inline piston engine, 370 kW (500 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 230 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn)

Armament

  • Guns: Two fixed 7.7mm (0.303in) synchronised machine-guns

References
Notes
  1. Orbis 1985, p. 637
  2. Liron (1990) p.180, 224
Bibliography
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
  • Liron, J.L. (1990). Les avions Bernard. Paris: Éditions Larivère.
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