Hanriot HD1
Serial Number:
75
Period: WWI
Collection Ref: 79/A/496
Location: RAF Museum London, Grahame-White Factory
The Hanriot HD-1 was a single-seat fighter that was designed
in 1916 by Emile Dupont and built by the Societe anonyme des Appareils
d'Aviation Hanriot at Billancourt. Because the SPAD 7.Cl had been adopted
as the major standard French fighter the Hanriot was not accepted by the
French Aviation Militaire, but it was used extensively by the Italian
Aeronautica del Regio Esercito and by the Belgian Aviation Militaire.
Over nine-hundred were produced for the Italians and they used the type
in greater numbers than any other fighter during the First World War.
Belgium had a more modest total of 125 HD-1s Notable air aces from both
countries are associated with the HD-1 but perhaps Willy Copens is the
most famous. This Belgian's final victory score was thirty-seven of which
twenty-six were balloons.
Apart from a long post war service with the Italians and Belgians the
HD1 was used by the Swiss Fliegertruppe until 1928
