Etablissements Adolphe Bernard formed April 1917, building SPAD fighters while Bernard designed first original product, AB.1 twin-engined bomber. In early 1918 Louis Béchereau left SPAD and joined Bernard to design SAB fighter biplane made by Levasseur. EAB (Bernard) was dissolved 1922, replaced by SIMB (Société Industrielle des Métaux et du Bois), but aircraft continued to be known as Bernard even though chief designer was Jean Hubert. Latter created succession of advanced cantilever monoplanes, initially wood and later stressed-skin metal. First was C1 fighter, later called Bernard 10, followed by simpler Bernard 12 fighter designed by Jean Galtier (later of Arsenal). V.1 and V.2 were racers, latter setting world speed record at 278.48 mph 11 December 1924. Bernard 14 and 15 were parasol fighters 1926, while 18T was 6-passenger transport. In 1927 SIMB was closed, and a new Société des Avions Bernard formed. Monoplane fighters, bombers, tourers, long-range record-breakers and Schneider racing seaplanes followed, but company failed 1935 prior to nationalization.