Salmson 2

The Salmson 2 AB.2 was a French two‑seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft produced by the Salmson company during the latter part of World War I. Designed in 1917 as a replacement for the older Voisin and Breguet types, the prototype flew in early 1918 and entered frontline service with the Aéronautique Militaire that summer. Powered by Salmson’s own 9‑cylinder air‑cooled radial engine (the Sal 9Za, delivering around 230 hp), the aircraft combined a sturdy wooden frame with fabric covering, a single‑bay wing configuration, and a streamlined forward fuselage that gave it a top speed of about 200 km/h and a ceiling exceeding 6 000 m—remarkable performance for the period.

Key features included a forward-firing synchronized Vickers machine gun for the pilot, a flexible Lewis gun for the observer, and a small photographic equipment bay that made it an effective tactical scout. Its excellent altitude capability and relatively high speed allowed crews to evade enemy fighters while gathering detailed battlefield intelligence. After the armistice the Salmson 2 continued in service with several European air forces, and it was adapted for civilian mail and sport flying throughout the 1920s. The type’s reliable engine, versatile design, and successful operational record helped cement Salmson’s reputation as a leading aircraft manufacturer and contributed to the evolution of post‑war reconnaissance aircraft.