French people ID needed

[paolomiana]

Hi, actually I'm reading some pages from the Caproni's war diary. During late 1917 he goes to France for license reproduction of his bombers for US and French aviation.
In his diary he wrote about a lot of meetings with some french technical and political personnel. Any idea of who they are?

Dusmenil (secretary of military aviation?)
De Kerillis ?
Dorand (chief in charge of STAè ?)

Thanks

Paolo

[vb136]

Jacques Dumesnil served as undersecretary of state for air. He was a former military aviator, who had served with a French unit during the early phases of WW 1.
Henri Adrien de Kerillis, pilot, had been the CO of escadrille 66 from late October 1915, until January 1917, when he was transferred to the Defence Ministry of the French governement.

[Froggy]

Hello Paolo

Yes The Colonel Dorand was directeur de la Section Technique de l'Aéronautique (STAé) at Chalais-Meudon.He was at the origin of the AR1 and AR2 French bomber.

Cordialement
Bruno

[paolomiana]

Hi guys, thanks a lot for the info.
Froggy, Caproni find Dorand against his bomber aircrafts production, now it takes more sense for me.
Any possibility to find more info about this two aircrafts?

Thanks again

Paolo

[Froggy]

Re-hello

Here is the specifications of these two planes

AR1 Two seat Reconnaissance Aircraft with 190-hp Renault 8Gd

Span 13.27 m -length 9.30 -wing aera 50.17 sq.m
empty weight 810 kg - loaded weight 1250 Kg
maximum speed 2000 m 152 km/h
3000 m 147 km/h
4000 m 141 km/h

climb: 2000 m 11 mn
3000 m 22 mn 20 seconds
4000 m 39 minutes

Ceiling 5500 m -range 375 km
Armament: four 120-mm bombs a synchronized 47.7 mm Vickers machine gun and one or two lewis guns on a movable mount.

AR2 Two seat Reconnaissance Aircraft with 240-hp Lorraine 8Bb

Span 13.27 m length 9.30 wing aera 50.17 sq.m(same as AR1)
empty weight 825kg - maximum weight 1250 Kg
maximum speed 2000 m 159 km/h

climb: 2000 m 14.5 mn
3000 m 28.2mn

Service Ceiling 3000 m -absolute ceiling 4500 m
Range 375 km;endurance 3 hours at 3000 m
Armament: four 120-mm bombs a synchronized 47.7 mm Vickers machine gun and one or two lewis guns on a movable mount.(same as AR1)

Total production of the AR1 and AR2 ==>1435 aircraft

cordialement
Bruno

[Doc]

The AR-2 is also significant for having been the first aircraft specifically modified to serve as a dedicated air ambulance. Conversions were done by Dr. Chassaing, who tested them on the Aisne front in 1917 before they were withdrawn from the front. It is unclear whether he carried any actual patients, or if the ones he carried were all simulated casualties-- I have documents which state both. Doc