A French Heavy Bomber: The Latest Development in the Range of Lioré et Olivier Landplanes Available to Purchase

DESPITE the fact that the majority of new military landplanes designed in France during recent years have been monoplanes, and that only one biplane in all categories of French aeroplanes was exhibited at the last Salon de l'Aviation, the biplane has nevertheless definite qualities for heavy bombing and is still favoured by certain French constructors. While the heavy monoplane bomber seems to be greatly in favour, the modernised biplane bomber seems to offer as good performance with the advantage of better manœuvrability. Further, with the wing area divided between two wings, it offers a smaller target. Its construction is often more simple, and the construction less expensive. The modernised biplane bomber can be designed with acrodynamically clean lines, and though interplane struts and bracing wires are necessitated, a saving in structural weight is often gained by this arrangement.