R.11

The Caudron R.11 was a French two‑seat biplane fighter‑reconnaissance aircraft that entered service near the end of World War I. Designed by René Caudron and first flown in early 1918, the R.11 combined a robust wooden frame with fabric covering, a 260 hp Renault 12Fe V‑12 engine, and a distinctive sesquiplane wing layout that gave it a high aspect ratio and good climb rate. Its armament consisted of a forward‑firing Vickers machine gun for the pilot and a flexible Lewis gun for the observer, making it effective for both air‑to‑air combat and artillery spotting. Production was limited to roughly 1,000 units, most built by Caudron’s workshops and licensed factories in France and the United States. After the armistice the aircraft was used by the French and several allied air forces for a decade, serving in colonial operations and early mail‑carrier roles. The R.11 is remembered for illustrating the transition from fragile early scouts to sturdier multi‑role machines, and its twin‑seat configuration influenced later designs such as the SPAD S.XIII escort and the post‑war Breguet 14. Its legacy lies in showing how a balanced mix of power, visibility and firepower expanded the tactical possibilities of WWI aviation.