Origins and Early Bernard Aircraft
The aircraft, today known under the single brand “Bernard,” were de facto built by various companies founded by the French designer Adolphe Bernard (also sometimes A. Bernard). The first of these, established in 1917, was EAB (“Etablissements Adolphe Bernard”). Its first aircraft was the two-seat night bomber AB.1.
The prototype AB.2 was equipped with more powerful engines, while the AB.3 was designed as a cargo-passenger aircraft. This initial phase laid the groundwork for the brand’s future evolution in French aviation.
Company Evolution and Key Models
In 1922, the EAB firm was transformed into SIMB (“Societe Industrielle des Métaux et du Bois”). Under the guidance of the new chief designer, Jean Hubert, a prototype fighter was designed—the Bernard 10, a cantilever low-wing monoplane. Subsequently, between 1926 and 1927, the company was re-established as SAB (“Societe des Avions Bernard”), whose first aircraft was the Bernard 20.
The Bernard 12 differed from the Bernard 10 in its landing gear design, a radial engine installed instead of a V-engine, and more powerful machine-gun armament. This included two 7.7-mm machine guns in the wing and two identical machine guns in the nose section of the fuselage, marking a significant improvement in combat capability.
The Bernard 12 Fighter and Its Fate
The Bernard 12 performed its first flight in May 1926, powered by a Gnome-Rhone (Bristol) Jupiter engine. The aircraft was launched into production as the C.1 (Chasse monoplace – single-seat fighter), equipped with Hispano-Suiza or Lorraine engines producing 500 hp.
Despite its good flight characteristics for the time, French military officials in the 1920s were skeptical of the idea of a monoplane fighter. Therefore, further development work on Bernard-brand fighters did not progress, limiting the impact of these innovative designs on military aviation.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Bernard 12 |
| Wingspan, m | 12. 00 |
| Length, m | 7. 20 |
| Height, m | 2.70 |
| Wing area, m2 | 21. 00 |
| Empty weight | 910 |
| Normal takeoff weight | 1206 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Gnome & Rhone 9Ab |
| Power, hp | 1 х 420 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 265 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 240 |
| Service ceiling, m | 8000 |
| Crew, crew members | 1 |
| Armament: | four 7.7-mm machine guns |
Image and diagram gallery of the Bernard Aircraft
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