Hanriot HD.1

Hanriot HD.1

Designed by Pierre Dupont, the Hanriot HD.1 biplane was small but agile. It was rejected by the French Air Service in late 1916 but found favour with the air services of Belgium and Italy, becoming the standard Italian fighter during World War I. Though not as fast as the Albatros scouts or the Hansa-Brandenburg D.I, it was sturdy, reliable and very manoeuvrable. Entering service during the summer of 1917, the HD.1 proved its worth throughout the war. On 26 December 1917, Italian pilots equipped with the Hanriot HD.1 engaged and destroyed eleven German reconnaissance aircraft at Istrana without incurring a single loss. Willy Coppens, Belgium's consummate balloon buster, scored most of his victories flying this aircraft.

Country: France
Manufacturer: Société Anonyme des Appareils d'Aviation Hanriot
Type: Fighter
First Introduced: 1916
Number Built: 831
Engine(s): Le Rhône 9JB, 9 cylinder, air cooled rotary, 120 hp
Wing Span: 28 ft 6½ in [8.7 m]
Length: 19 ft 2¼ in [5.85 m]
Height: 9 ft 7¾ in [2.94 m]
Empty Weight: [385 kg]
Gross Weight: 1,334 lb [605 kg]
Max Speed: 115 mph [184 km/h]
Ceiling: 20,670 ft [6,000 m]
Endurance: 2½ hours
Crew: 1