The Hanriot H.D.2 was a floatplane version of the Hanriot H.D.1 fighter with (on later models) an enlarged rudder and fin that extended below the waterline. Like the H.D.1, it started with a single Vickers gun, but later seaplane HDs were armed with twin Vickers guns because the corresponding loss in performance was not as critical to their mission. Likewise the heavier 130hp Clerget was preferred to the lighter Le Rhône. While Aviation Militaire had declined to build the HD.1, Aviation Maritime accepted deliveries of up to 130 HD.2’s.
The US Navy purchased twenty-six HD.2s to accompany their Donnet-Denhaut flying boats working out of Dunkerque. They flew over five hundred escort missions but did not encounter German seaplane-fighters.
Five full-color and paintable Hanriot H.D.2s are now available at https://greatwarplanes.com.
