Voisin
Voisin V
The Voisin V was a French two‑seat biplane built by the Voisin company during the early years of the First World War. Introduced in early 1915 as a development of the earlier Voisin III, the V retained the distinctive pusher configuration with the engine and propeller mounted behind the crew nacelle. Powered by a 150‑hp (112 kW) Le Rhône rotary or a 160‑hp Gnome engine, it could reach a top speed of ~115 km/h and carry up to 150 kg of bombs. Its sturdy wooden frame, canvas covering, and single‑bay wings gave the aircraft a reliable, forgiving handling characteristic prized by novice pilots. The Voisin V featured a forward‑firing machine gun mounted on a flexible ring for the observer, and later versions added a ventral gun position. More than 800 units were produced, serving with the French Aéronautique Militaire, the British Royal Flying Corps and several Allied forces. Its ability to conduct night bombing and reconnaissance missions made it a workhorse of early aerial warfare, influencing later bomber designs and demonstrating the tactical value of dedicated air‑ground attack platforms. The Voisin V remains a key milestone in the evolution of military aviation.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1912