History

The Bernard 74 was a French fighter design developed in 1931 from the Bernard 72 racing aeroplane. Two prototypes were built but the fighter did not enter production.

The Societe des Avions Bernard designed and manufactured a number of aeroplanes in the inter-war period, with no great success.

The Bernard 74 began as the Bernard 72 racing aeroplane which made its first flight in May 1930 and competed in the 1930 Coupe Michelin air race, but did not complete it due to engine failure.

Fitted with a new engine it was redesignated the Bernard 73 which was then developed into the Bernard 74 single seat fighter.

Two prototypes were build, the first flying in February 1931 and the second in October 1931.

They competed in a French Air Force fighter competition but the company went bankrupt before any could be built.

This model represents the second prototype in 1931.

Adrien Roy 1:72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in May 2021.

Work Bench Notes

Data

MODEL: Bernard 74

ROLE: single-seat fighter

TIME PERIOD: 1931

ENGINES: one Gnome-Rhône YKbs radial piston engine of 209kW

WING SPAN: 9.2m

LENGTH: 6.72m

MAXIMUM TAKE OFF WEIGHT: 1,106kg

MAXIMUM SPEED: 310km/h

CREW: 1

ARMAMENT: two 7.7mm machine guns

SCALE: 1/72

KIT:

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