Caudron R.11

The Caudron R-11 fighter was originally designed as a heavily armed reconnaissance bomber. Due to its powerful engines it was reconverted into escort fighter with excellent results. It was able to escort the French bombers deep into German territory, putting the German fighters in serious trouble with their 5 machine guns. It had innovative advances such as engines housed in streamlined nacelles that could be jettisoned alongside auxiliary fuel tanks if necessary. They had dual controls in the rear gunner’s cockpit, which allowed them to take control of the aircraft if the pilot was incapacitated. Some of this biplanes served with the American Expeditionary Force in France during WWI.

Caudron R.11 gallery and more info