Caudron R.II in USA Service

[Mike W]

I can't place where I saw it, but I recall seeing some time ago a photo or illustration of a Caudron R.II with insignia and squadron markings of a USA squadron, possibly 96th Aero Squadron. Apparantly a single version was given to the US squadron to try as an escort fighter along with the sqadron bombers. Anybody else see the photo and remember the details?

[Baldrick62]

Can't be certain I've ever seen a photo, but apparently the USAS purchased 2 R11A.3s in Oct 18. One R11 was also detached from a French escadrille to serve as an escort fighter for the 88th Aero Sqn (Salmson 2A.2?) in Sep 18. The 96th Aero (Breguet 14B.2) also had at least 1 R11 escort fighter; from Davilla & Soltan. So, depending on how you count them, there are at least 3 USAS R11s floating around before the Armistice.

[Mike W]

[Mike W]

The photo can be seen here:

http://www.militaryfactory.com/image...entDescriptor=

It appears the Caudron is with 96th Aero Squadron but still has French roundels on the wings.

So, as an escort fighter with essentually the same manueverability as the bombers it is protecting, but with a forward gun in a turret, how would a singular one of these be deployed with a flight of bombers? In front, on top, or below??

[Baldrick62]

Thanks! Maybe another 'borrowed' machine, although I can't tell what the tonal values on the inner two rings of the roundel are: it looks like there is shadowing from the aileron control horns.