Lioré et Olivier LeO 12

Overview

The Lioré et Olivier LeO 12 was a large biplane designed and produced by the French aircraft manufacturer Lioré et Olivier. Designed for use as a night bomber, it was adapted to other roles, including that of a civilian airliner, following a lack of interest from the French Air Force. The LeO 12 was a large biplane of a conventional design, with three-bay equal-span wings and twin engines mounted in nacelles on struts in the interplane gap. The independent main undercarriage units were faired in long, trouser-style spats. Construction throughout was mainly duralumin, skinned in fabric. The pilot's cockpit was open, and there was a second cockpit amidships for a gunner.